"GOOD WILL HUNTING" (1997)

STATS122pages127scenes6,679words55%dialogue33characters

Words

  • dialogue3,64755%
  • action1,62724%
  • other1,40521%

Scenes

location
  • INT 75
  • EXT 51
  • UNKNOWN 1
time
  • DAY 42
  • NIGHT 17
  • DAWN 2
  • DUSK 1
  • CONT 10
  • UNKNOWN 55
1

OPEN

GOOD WILL HUNTING

by

Matt Damon & Ben Affleck

FADEIN:

2

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONST.PATRICK'SDAYPARADE--DAY

CUTTO:
3

INT.L STREETBAR&GRILLE,SOUTHBOSTON--EVENING

Thebaris dirty,morethana littlerundown.Ifthereis ever acook onduty,he'snot herenow.Aswe panacrossseveral emptytables,wecanalmostsmelltheodor oflastnightsbeer andcrushedpretzelsonthefloor.

CHUCKIE
Ohmy God,Igot themostfuckedup thingIbeenmeanin'to tellyou.

Asthe camerarises,wefindFOURYOUNGMENseatedarounda tablenearthebackof thebar.

ALL
OhJesus.Herewe go.

Theguyholdingcourtis CHUCKIESULLIVAN,20,andthelargest ofthe bunch.Heisloud,boisterous,abornentertainer.Next tohim isWILLHUNTING,20,handsomeandconfident,asoft- spokenleader.OnWill'srightsitsBILLYMCBRIDE,22,heavy, quiet,someoneyoudefinitelywouldn'twanttotanglewith. FinallythereisMORGANO'MALLY,19,smallerthantheother guys.Wiryandanxious,MorganlistenstoChuckie'shorror storieswitheagerdisgust.

Allfourboysspeakwith thickBostonaccents.Thisisarough, workingclassIrishneighborhoodandtheseboysareitsproduct.

CHUCKIE
Youguysknowmy cousinMikeySullivan?
ALL
Yeah.
CHUCKIE
Wellyouknowhow helovesanimals right?Anyway,lastweekhe'sdrivin' home...(laughs)
ALL
What?Comeon!
CHUCKIE
(tryingnottolaugh)
I'msorry,'causeyouknowMikey,the fuckinguylovesanimals,andthisis thelastpersonyou'dwantthisto happento.
WILL
Chuckie,whatthefuckhappened?
CHUCKIE
Okay.He'sdrivingalongandthis fuckin'catjumpsinfrontof hiscar, andsohe hitsthiscat--

Chuckieisreallylaughingnow.

MORGAN
--Thatisn'tfunny--
CHUCKIE
--andhe'slike"shit!Motherfucker!" Andhelooksin hisrearviewandsees thiscat--I'msorry--
BILLY
Fuckin'Chuckie!
CHUCKIE
Sohe seesthiscattryinto makeit acrossthestreetandit'snotlookin' sogood.
WILL
It'swalkin'prettyslowatthispoint.
MORGAN
Youguysarefuckin'sick.
CHUCKIE
SoMikey'slike"Fuck,Igottaput this thingoutofits misery"--Sohegetsa hammer--

WILL/MORGAN/BILLY OH!

CHUCKIE
--outofhistool box,andstarts chasin'thecatandstartswhackin'it withthehammer.Youknow,tryin'toput thethingoutof itsmisery.
MORGAN
Jesus.
CHUCKIE
Andallthe timehe'sapologizin'tothe cat,goin'"I'msorry."BANG,"I'm sorry."BANG!
BILLY
Likeitcan understand.
CHUCKIE
AndthisSamoanguycomesrunnin'outof hishouseandhe'slike "Whatthefuck areyoudoingto mycat?!"Mikey'slike "I'msorry"--BANG--"Ihityourcatwith mytruck,andI'm justtryingtoputit outofit's misery"--BANG!Andthecat dies.SoMikey'slike"Whydon'tyou comelookatthe frontofthe truck." 'Causetheotherguy'sallfuckin flippedoutabout--
WILL
Watchinghiscatgetbrained.

MorgangivesWillalook,but Willonlysmiles.

CHUCKIE
Yeah,sohe'slike"Checkthe frontof mytruck,I canproveI hitit'cause there'sprobablysomebloodor something"--
WILL
--oratail--
MORGAN
WILL!
CHUCKIE
Andsothey goaroundtothe frontof histruck...andthere'sanothercaton thegrille.

WILL/MORGAN/BILLY No!Ugh!

CHUCKIE
Isthatunbelievable?Hebrainedan innocentcat!

BLACKOUT:

Theopeningcreditsrolloveraseriesof shotsofthe cityand therealpeoplewholive andworkthere,goingabouttheirdaily lives.

Wesee apanoramicviewofSouthBoston.

Willsitsin hisapartment,wallscompletelybare.Abed,a smallnighttableandan emptybasketadorntheroom.A stack oftwentyor soLIBRARYBOOKSsitby hisbed.He isflipping throughabookat aboutapage asecond.

Chuckiestandsontheporchto Will'shouse.HisCaddilacidles bythe curb.Willcomesoutandthey getinthe car.

Wetravelacrosscrowdedpublichousingandontodowntown. Finally,wegazeacrosstheriverandonto thegreatcement- domedbuildingsthatmakeuptheM.I.T.campus.

CUTTO:
4

INT.M.I.T.CLASSROOM--DAY

TheclassroomispackedwithgraduatestudentsandTOM. PROFESSORLAMBEAU(52)isatthelectern.Thechalkboardbehind himis coveredwiththeorems.

LAMBEAU
PleasefinishMcKinleybynextmonth. Manyofyou probablyhadthisas

won'thurttobrushup. Iam also puttinganadvancedfouriersystemon themainhallwaychalkboard--

Everyonegroans.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
I'mhopingthatoneof youmightprove itby theendof thesemester.Thefirst persontodoso willnotonly bein my goodgraces,butgoon tofameand fortunebyhavingtheiraccomplishment recordedandtheirnameprintedinthe auspicious"M.I.T.Tech."

Prof.Lambeauholdsupa thinpublicationentitled"M.I.T. Tech."Everyonelaughs.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
FormerwinnersincludeNobelLaureates, worldrenownedastro-physicists,Field's MedalwinnersandlowlyM.I.T. professors.

Morelaughs.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Okay.Thatisall.

Asmatteringofapplause.Studentspacktheirbags.

CUTTO:
5

INT.FUNLAND–LATER

Theplaceis amonsterindoorfunpark.Will,Chuckie,Morgan, andBillyarein adjoiningbattingcages.Willhasdisabledthe

beendrinking.WillthrowsonetoChuckie,highandtight. Severalemptybeercanssitby thecage.

CHUCKIE
Will!

Anotherpitch,inside.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
You'regonnagetcharged!
WILL
YouthinkI'mafraidof you,youbig fuck?You'recrowdin'theplate.

Willgunsanotherone,wayinside.

CHUCKIE
Stopbrushin'meback!
WILL
Stopcrowdintheplate!

Chuckielaughsandstepsback.

CHUCKIE
Casey'sbouncin'atabarup Harvard.We shouldgotheresometime.
WILL
Whatarewe gonnadoup there?
CHUCKIE
Idon'tknow,we'llfuckup somesmart kids.
(steppingbackin)
You'dprob'lyfitrightin.
WILL
Fuckyou.

Willfiresa pitchatChuckie'shead.Chuckiedivestoavoid beinghit.Hegets upandwhipshis battinghelmetatWill.

CUTTO:
6

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONROOFTOP--EARLYAFTERNOON

SEANMcGUIRE(52)sits,FORMALLYDRESSED,ontheroofofhis apartmentbuildinginabeat-uplawnchair.Well-builtand fairlymuscular,hestaresblanklyoutoverthecity.

Onhis laprestsanopen invitationthatreads"M.I.T.CLASSOF '67REUNION."

Whilethemorningisquietand Seansitsserenely,thereisa lookabouthisthattellsus hehas facedhardtimes.Thisisa manwhofoughthis waythroughlife.Onhislonelystarewe:

CUTTO:
7

EXT.M.I.T.CAMPUSLAWN--DAY

AthirtyyearREUNIONPARTYhastakenover thelawn.A well dressedthrongmillaboutunderneathalargebannerthatreads "WELCOMEBACKCLASSOF'72."Wefind ProfessorLambeaustanding witha drinkinhishand,surveyingthecrowd.Heis interrupted byan approachingSTUDENT.

STUDENT
Excuseme,ProfessorLambeau?
LAMBEAU
Yes.
STUDENT
I'minyour appliedtheoriesclass. We'realldownat theMathandScience building.
LAMBEAU
It'sSaturday.
STUDENT
Iknow.We justcouldn'twait'till Mondaytofindout.
LAMBEAU
Findoutwhat?
STUDENT
Whoprovedthetheorem.
8

EXT.TOMFOLEYPARK,S. BOSTON--AFTERNOON

Inthe bleachersofthevisitingsectionwefindourboys,

havebeenherea whileandit shows.

Billyseessomethingthatcatcheshisinterest.

BILLY
Who'sthat?She'sgota niceass.

TheirP.O.V.revealsagirlin stretchpantstalkingtoabeefy lookingITALIANGUY(BOBBYCHAMPA)

MORGAN
Yah,thatisa niceass.
CHUCKIE
Youcouldputa poolin thatbackyard.
BILLY
Who'sshetalkingto?
MORGAN
Thatfuckin'guinea,Willknowshim.
WILL
Yah,BobbyChampa.Heusedto beatthe shitoutta'mein Kindergarten.
BILLY
He'saprettybig kid.
WILL
Yah,he'sthesamesize nowashe wasin Kindergarten.
MORGAN
Fuckthis,let'sgetsomethingtoeat...
CHUCKIE
WhatMorgan,you'renotgonnagotalkto her?
MORGAN
Fuckher.

Theboysget upandwalk downthebleachers.

WILL
Icouldgo fora Whopper.
MORGAN
(nonchalant)
Let'shit"Kelly's."
CHUCKIE
Morgan,I'mnotgoin'to"Kelly'sRoast Beef"justcauseyoulikethe take-out girl.It'sfifteenminutesoutofour way.
MORGAN
Whatelsewegonnado wecan'tspare fifteenminutes?
CHUCKIE
AllrightMorgan,fine.I'lltellyou whywe'renotgoingto "Kelly's."It's becausethetake-outbitchisafuckin' idiot.I'msorryyoulikeher butshe's dumbasa postandshe hasnevergotour orderright,neveronce.
MORGAN
She'snotstupid.
WILL
She'ssharpasa marble.
CHUCKIE
We'renotgoin'.
(beat)
Idon'tevenlike "Kelly's."
CUTTO:
9

INT.M.I.T.HALLWAY--LATER

Lambeau,stillinhisreunionformal-wear,stridesdownthe hallway,carryingsomepapers.Agroupofstudentshavegathered bythe chalkboard.Theypartliketheredseaas heapproaches theboard.Usingthepapersin hand,hecheckstheproof. Satisfied,heturnstotheclass.

LAMBEAU
Thisiscorrect?Whodidthis?

Deadsilence.LambeauturnstoanINDIANSTUDENT.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Nemesh?

Nemeshshakeshisheadinawe.

NEMESH
Noway.

Lambeauerasestheproofandstartsputtingupa newone.

LAMBEAU
Well,whoeverYouare,I'msureyou'll findthisonechallengingenoughto meritcomingforwardwithyouridentity. Thatis,if youcando it.
10

INT.CHUCKIE'SCAR,DRIVINGINSOUTHBOSTON--CONTINUOUS

Thestreetiscrowdedas ourboysdrivedownBroadway.Theymove slowlythroughheavytraffic,windowsdown.Chuckiesorts throughalarge"KELLY'SROASTBEEF"BAGashe drives.

MORGAN
DoubleBurger.

Willholdsthewheelfor Chuckieashelooksthroughthebag.

MORGAN(cont'd)
(sametone)
DoubleBurger.

Chuckiegetsoutfriesforhimself,handsWillhisfries.

MORGAN(cont'd)
I,I hada Kelly'sDoubleBurger.
CHUCKIE
Wouldyoushutthefuck up!I knowwhat youordered,Iwasthere!
MORGAN
Sowhydon'tyou givememy sandwhich?
CHUCKIE
Whatdoyou mean"yoursandwhich?"I boughtit.
MORGAN
(sarcastic)
Yah,allright...
CHUCKIE
Howmuchmoneyyougot?
MORGAN
Itoldyou, Ijustgot change.
CHUCKIE
Wellgivemeyour fuckin'changeand we'llputyourfuckin'sandwhichonlay- away.
MORGAN
Whyyougottabe anassholeChuckie?
CHUCKIE
Ithinkyou shouldestablishagoodline ofcredit.

Laughter,Chuckiegoesbacksearchingthroughthebag.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Ohmotherfucker...
WILL
Shedidn'tdoit againdidshe?
CHUCKIE
JesusChrist.Notevenclose.
MORGAN
Didsheget myDoubleBurger?
CHUCKIE
NOSHEDIDN'TGET YOURDOUBLEBURGER!! IT'SALLFUCKIN'FLYIN'FISHFILET!!

ChuckiewhipsaFISHSANDWHICHbacktoMorgan,thento Billy.

WILL
Jesus,that'sreallybad,didanyone evenorderaFlyin'Fish?
CHUCKIE
No,andwe gotfourof 'em.
BILLY
Yougotta'bekiddin'me.Why dowe even goto her?
CHUCKIE
Causefuckin'Morgan'sgotacrushon her,wealwaysgo thereandwhenwe get tothewindowhe neversaysa fuckin' wordtoher,he neverevengetsout of thecar,andshe nevergetsourorder rightcauseshe'sthegoddamnMISSING LINK!
WILL
Well,sheoutdid herselftoday...
MORGAN
Idon'tgot acrushon her.

Pushinon Willwhosees somethingO.S.

Will'sP.O.V.revealsBOBBYCHAMPAandhisfriendswalkingdown thestreet.Oneof themcasuallylobsabottleintoa wire garbagecan.ItSHATTERSandsomeof theglasshitsa FEMALE PASSERBYwho,althoughunhurt,isupset.

CHUCKIE
Whatdowe got?
WILL
Idon'tknowyet.

Will'sP.O.V.:ThewomansayssomethingtoBobby.Hesays somethingback.Bythelookon herface,itwas something unpleasant.

MORGAN
Comeon,Will...
CHUCKIE
Shutup.
MORGAN
No,whydidn'tyoufighthim atthe park ifyouwantedto? I'mnotgoin'now,I'm eatin'mysnack.
WILL
(smiles)
Sodon'tgo.

Willisout ofthe door,joggingtowardBobbyChampa.Billygets out,followingWillwithalookof casualindifference.

CHUCKIE
Morgan,Let'sgo.
MORGAN
I'mseriousChuckie,Iain'tgoin'.

Leavingthecar,Chuckieopenshisdoorto follow.

CHUCKIE
(spinsinhisseat)
You'regoin'.Andifyou'renotout thereintwofuckin'seconds,whenI'm donewiththemyou'renext!

Andwiththat,Chuckieisout thedoor.

CUTTO:
11

EXT.SIDEWALK--CONTINUOUS

WillcomesjogginguptowardsBOBBYCHAMPA,callingoutfrom acrossthestreet,

WILL
(smiling,goodnaturedly)
Hey,BobbyChampa!Iwentto Kindergartenwithyouright?Sister Margaret'sclass...

Bobbyisbewilderedbythisstrangeinterruptionandunsureof Will'sintentions.JustwhenitlooksasthoughBobbymight rememberhim,WillDRILLSHIMwitha sucker-punchwhichbegins the

FIGHTSEQUENCE:40FRAMESOVERM.GAYE'S"LET'SGETIT ON."

Will'smomentumandrespectablestrengthservetoknockthe haplessChampaoutcold.

Assoonas WillhitsBobby,hisfriendsCONVERGEONWILL.Billy JUMPSINand wrestlesoneguytothe ground.Thetwoexchange messypunchesonthesidewalk.

Willisin trouble,backpedaling,dodgingpunches,tryingto avoidbeingoverrun.

WhenWillgoesfor oneguy,anotherhasan openshotandhe HAMMERSWILLwitharighthand tothehead.

Willisstaggeredandbleary,asa secondguywindsup fora shotheis BLINDSIDEDbyChuckiewhohits thekidlikehe wasa tacklingsled,liftinghimofftheground.

ChuckieturnstoseeWillstilloutnumbered.It'sallWillcan doto staystandingasMorganDROPKICKSoneof Champa'sboys fromthehoodof a car.

Contrarytowhatwemightthink,Morganis actuallyquitea fighter.Hepeppersthekidwitha flurryofblows.

Thefightis messy,uglyandchaotic.Mostpunchesarethrown wildlyandmiss,headsarebangedagainstconcrete,someone throwsabottle.

Inthe end,it'sourguyswho areleftstanding,whileBobby's friendsstaggeroff.ChuckieandMorganturntoseeWill, standingovertheunconsciousBobbyChampa,stillPOUNDINGhim.

ANGLEONWILL:SAVAGE,UGLY,VICIOUS,ANDVIOLENT

WhateverdemonsmustberaginginsideWill,heistakingthem outon BobbyChampa.Hepummelsthehelpless,unconscious Champa,furyinhiseyes.ChuckieandBillypull Willaway.

ThePOLICEfinallyarriveonthesceneand havingonlywitnessed Will'sviciousattackonChampa,theygrabhim.

12

EXT.SIDEWALK(FULLSPEED)--CONTINUOUS

Acrowdof onlookershavegathered.Chuckieaddressesthem.

CHUCKIE
Hey,thanksforcomin'out.
WILL
Yeah,you'reallinvitedoverto Morgan'shouseforacomplementaryfish sandwhich.

ThePoliceslamWillintothe hoodofa car.

WILL(cont'd)
(toPolice)
Hey,Iknow it'snota Frenchcruller, butit'sfree.

ThecopholdingWillSLAMShis [Will's]faceintothehood, anothercopusesa batontopressWill'sfaceintothe car.The lookof ragereturnsto Will'seye.

WILL(cont'd)
Getthefuckoff me!

KNEE,droppingthecop.Momentarilyfreed,Willengagesina fracaswiththreecops.MoreconvergeonWill,who-- thoughhe struggles--takesabeating.

CUTTO:
13

EXT.SEAN'SROOF--NIGHT

Seansits,exactlyaswe firstsawhim,excepthistie isnow looseandan emptybottleofBUSHMILLSisathis side.He staresoutovertheCity.A MATRONLYLANDLADYcomesoutofa doorwayontheroof.

LANDLADY
Sean?

Seandoesn'tanswer.

LANDLADY(cont'd)
Sean?Youokay?
SEAN
Yeah.

Abeat.

LANDLADY
It'sgettingcold.

Afteramoment,sheretreatsbackdownthe stairs.Seandoesn't move.

DISSOLVE:

14

EXT.CHARLESRIVER,ESTABLISHINGSHOT--MORNING

Themorningsunreflectsbrilliantlyofftheriver.

CUTTO:
15

EXT.COURTHOUSE--NEXTMORNING

theCadillacwithtwocupsof DUNKIN'DOUGHNUTScoffee.Hehands oneof themtoWill.Thisfeelsroutine.

CHUCKIE
When'sthearraignment?
WILL
Nextweek.

Chuckiepullsaway.

CUTTO:
16

EXT.M.I.T.CAMPUS,ESTABLISHINGSHOT--MORNING

Studentswalktoclass,carryingbags.Morethananyother, studentsseemtobeheadingintoone PARTICULARCLASSROOM.

17

INT.M.I.T.CLASSROOM--MORNING

Theclassroomisevenmorecrowdedthanlastwe sawit.Tom takesnotesasLambeauplaysalongwiththeexcitedenvironment withmockpomposityandgoodhumor.

LAMBEAU
Isit myimagination,orhasmyclass grownconsiderably?

Laughter.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Ilookaroundand seeyoungpeoplewho aremystudents,youngpeoplewhoare notmystudentsaswell assomeof my

imaginationdoIthinkyou'veallcome tohearme lecture.

Morelaughter.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Butrathertoascertaintheidentityof whoouresteemed"TheTech"hascometo call"TheMysteryMathMagician."

Heholdsup theM.I.T.Techfeaturingasilhouettedfigure, emblazonedwithalarge,whitequestionmark.Theheadlinereads "MysteryMathMagicianstrikesagain."

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Whoeveryouare,you'vesolvedfourof themostdifficulttheoremsI'veever givenaclass.So withoutfurtherado, comeforwardsilentrogue,andreceive thyprize.

Theclasswaitsin breathlessanticipation.ASTUDENTshiftshis weightinhischair,makinga noise.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Well,I'msorrytodisappointmy spectators,butitappearstherewillbe nounmaskingheretoday.I'mgoingto havetoask thoseofyounot enrolledin theclasstomake yourescapenowor, forthenextthreehoursbe subjectedto themunditiesofeigenvectors.

Peoplestarttogathertheirthingsandgo.Lambeaupicksup a pieceofchalkand startswritingontheboard.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
However,mycolleaguesandIhave

board,rightnow,thattookustwo years toprove.Solet thisbesaid;the

facultyhaveansweredthechallengeand answeredwithvigor.

CUTTO:

19OMITTED

18

INT.M.I.T.HALLWAY--NIGHT

Lambeaucomesoutofhis officewithTomandlocksthe door.As heturnsto walkdownthehallway,hestops.A faintTICKING SOUNDcanbe heard.Heturnsandwalksdownthe hall.

LambeauandTomcomearounda corner.HisP.O.V.revealsa figureinsilhouetteblazingthroughtheproofonthe chalkboard.Thereisamopand abucketbesidehim.As Lambeau drawscloser,revealthatthefigureisWill,in hisjanitor's uniform.Thereisalook ofintenseconcentrationinhiseyes.

LAMBEAU
Excuseme!

Willlooksup,immediatelystartstoshuffleoff.

WILL
Oh,I'msorry.
LAMBEAU
What'reyoudoing?
WILL
(walkingaway)
I'msorry.

LambeaufollowsWilldownthehall.

LAMBEAU
What'syourname?
(beat)
Don'tyouwalkawayfromme. Thisis people'swork,youcan'tgraffitihere.
WILL
Heyfuckyou.
LAMBEAU
(flustered)
Well...I'llbespeakingtoyour supervisor.

Willwalksout.Lambeaugoesto"fix"the proof,scanningthe blackboardforwhateverdamageWillcaused.Hestops,scansthe boardagain.Amazementregistersonhisface.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
MyGod.

Downthehall,we heartheDOORCLOSE.He turnstolookfor Will,whois gone.

CUTTO:
19

EXT.BOWAND ARROWPUB,CAMBRIDGE--THATNIGHT

AcrowdedHarvardBar.Willandour gangwalkby alineof severalHarvardstudents,waitingtobecarded.

MORGAN
Whathappened?
(beat)
Yougotfired,huh?
WILL
Yeah,Morgan.Igotfired.
MORGAN
(startslaughing)
Howfuckin'retardeddoyouhaveto be togetshit-cannedfromthatjob?How hardisit topusha fuckin'broom?
CHUCKIE
Yougotfiredfrompushinga broom,you littlebitch.
MORGAN
Yah,thatwasdifferent.Managementwas restructurin'--
BILLY
--Yah,restructurin'theamountof retardstheyhadworkin'forthem.
MORGAN
Fuckyou,youfat fuck.
BILLY
LeastIworkfor alivin'.
(toWill)
Why'dyougetfired?
WILL
Managementwasrestructurin'.

Laughter.

CHUCKIE
Myunclecanprobablygetyou onmy demo team.
MORGAN
Whatthefuck?I justaskedyoufor a jobyesterday!
CHUCKIE
Itoldyou "no"yesterday!

AftertwostudentsflashtheirID'stothe doorman(CASEY)our boysfilepasthim.

ALL
(oneafteranother)
What'supCase.

Withanimperceptiblenod,Caseywavesourboysthrough.Afifth kid,a HARVARDSTUDENT,triestofollow.Heisstoppedby Casey'smassive,outstretchedarm:

CASEY
ID?
20

INT.BOWAND ARROW--CONTINUOUS

Chuckieiscollectingmoneyfromtheguystobuy apitcher,all butMorgancoughupsome crumpleddollars.

CHUCKIE
So,thisis aHarvardbar,huh?I thoughtthere'dbeequationsandshiton thewall.
21

INT.BACKSECTION,BOWANDARROW-- MOMENTSLATER

ChuckiereturnstoatablewhereWill,MorganandBillyhave madethemselvescomfortable.He[Chuckie]spotstwoATTRACTIVE YOUNGHARVARDWOMENsittingtogetherattheendofthe bar. Chuckiestrutshiswaytowardthewomenandpullsup a chair.He flashesasmileandtriesto submergehisthickBostonaccent.

CHUCKIE
Hey,how'sitgoin'?
LYDIA
Fine.
SKYLAR
Okay.
CHUCKIE
So,youladiesah,go toschoolhere?
LYDIA
Yes.
CHUCKIE
Yeah,causeIthinkI hada classwith you.

Atthispoint,severalinterestedpartiesmaterialize.Morgan BillyandWilltry,as inconspicuouslyaspossible,tosituate

aHARVARDLACROSSEsweatshirt,CLARK(22)noticesChuckie.He [Clark]walksovertoSkylarandLydia,noblyhoveringoverthem asprotector.ThisgetsWill,Morgan,andBilly'sattention.

SKYLAR
Whatclass?
CHUCKIE
Ah,historyIthink.
SKYLAR
Oh...
CHUCKIE
Yah,it'snota badschool...

Atthispoint,Clarkcan'tresistandstepsin.

CLARK
Whatclassdidyousay thatwas?
CHUCKIE
History.
CLARK
How'dyoulikethatcourse?
CHUCKIE
Good,itwasall right.
CLARK
History?Just"history?"Itmusthave beenasurveycoursethen.

Chuckienods.ClarknoticesChuckie'sclothes.WillandBilly exchangealookandmove subtlycloser.

CLARK(cont'd)
Prettybroad."HistoryoftheWorld?"
CHUCKIE
Hey,comeonpal we'reinclassesall day.That'sonethingaboutHarvard neverseizestoamazeme,everybody's talkin'aboutschoolallthetime.
CLARK
Hey,I'mthelast guytowant totalk aboutschoolatthebar.But aslongas you'rehereIwantto "seize"the opportunitytoaskyouaquestion.

Billyshiftshisbeerintohis lefthand.WillandMorgansee this.Morganrollshiseyesas ifto say"notagain..."

CLARK(cont'd)
Oh,I'msureyou covereditinyour historyclass.

Clarklookstosee ifthegirlsare impressed.Theyarenot. WhenClarklooksbackto Chuckie,SkylarturnstoLydiaand rollsher[own]eyes.Theylaugh.Willseesthis andsmiles.

CHUCKIE
Totellyou thetruth,Iwasn'tthere much.Theclasswasratherelementary.
CLARK
Elementary?Oh,Idon'tdoubtthatit was.Iremembertheclass,it wasjust betweenrecessandlunch.

WillandBillycomeforward,standbehindChuckie.

CHUCKIE
Allright,arewe gonnahaveaproblem?
CLARK
There'snoproblem.Iwasjusthoping youcouldgiveme someinsightintothe evolutionofthemarketeconomyinthe

priortotheRevolutionaryWarthe economicmodalitiesespeciallyofthe southerncoloniescouldmostaptlybe characterizedasagrarianpre- capitalistand...

Will,whoat thispointhasmigratedtoChuckie'ssideandis completelyfed-up,includeshimselfintheconversation.

WILL
Ofcoursethat'syourcontention.You're afirstyeargrad student.Youjust finishedsomeMarxianhistorian,Pete Garrisonprob'ly,andsonaturally that'swhatyoubelieveuntilnextmonth whenyougetto JamesLemonandget convincedthatVirginiaandPennsylvania werestronglyentrepreneurialand capitalistbackin1740.That'lllast untilsometimeinyoursecondyear,then you'llbeinhere regurgitatingGordon WoodaboutthePre-revolutionaryutopia andthecapital-formingeffectsof militarymobilization.
CLARK
(takenaback)
Well,asa matteroffact,I won't, becauseWooddrasticallyunderestimates theimpactof--
WILL
--"Wooddrasticallyunderestimatesthe impactofsocialdistinctionspredicated uponwealth,especiallyinheriated wealth..."Yougotthatfrom"Workin EssexCounty,"Page421,right?Doyou haveanythoughtsofyourown onthe subjectorwereyoujustgonnaplagerize thewholebookforme?

Clarkisstunned.

WILL(cont'd)
Look,don'ttrytopass yourselfoffas somekindofan intellectattheexpense ofmy friendjusttoimpressthese girls.

Clarkislostnow, searchingforagracefulexit,anyexit.

WILL(cont'd)
Thesadthingis, inabout50 yearsyou mightstartdoin'somethinkin'onyour ownandby thenyou'llrealizethereare onlytwocertaintiesinlife.
CLARK
Yeah?What'rethose?
WILL
One,don'tdothat.Two--you droppeda hundredandfiftygrandonan education youcoulda'pickedupfora dollarfifty inlatechargesatthe PublicLibrary.

WillcatchesSkylar'seye.

CLARK
ButI willhavea degree,andyou'llbe servingmykidsfriesata drivethrough onourway toa skiingtrip.
WILL(smiles)
Maybe.ButatleastI won'tbea prick.
(beat)
Andifyou gota problemwiththat,I guesswecanstep outsideanddealwith itthatway.

WhileWillissubstantiallysmallerthanClark,he[Clark] decidesnottotakeWill upon his[Will's]offer.

WILL(cont'd)
Ifyouchangeyourmind,I'll beoverby thebar.

Heturnsand walksaway.Chuckiefollows,throwingClarkalook. Morganturnstoa nearbygirl.

MORGAN
Myboy'swickedsmart.
22

INT.BOWAND ARROW,ATTHEBAR --LATER

WillsitswithMorganat thebarwatchingwithsomeamusementas ChuckieandBillyplaybarbasketballgamewheretheplayers shootminiatureballsatasmallbasket.Inthe B.G. OccasionallywehearChuckieshouting"Larry!"Whenhescores. SkylaremergesfromthecrowdandapproachesWill.

SKYLAR
Yousuck.
WILL
What?
SKYLAR
I'vebeensittingoverthereforforty- fiveminuteswaitingforyoutocome talktome. ButI'mjusttirednow andI havetogo homeandI wasn'tgoingto keepsittingtherewaitingforyou.
WILL
I'mWill.
SKYLAR
Skylar.Andbytheway. Thatguyover thereisa realdickandI justwanted youtoknow hedidn'tcomewithus.
WILL
Ikindof gotthatimpression.
SKYLAR
Well,look,Ihaveto go.Gotta'getup earlyandwastesomemoremoneyon my overpricededucation.
WILL
Ididn'tmeanyou.Listen,maybe...
SKYLAR
Here'smynumber.

Skylarproducesafoldedpieceofpaperandoffersit toWill.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Maybewecouldgo outforcoffee sometime?
WILL
Great,ormaybewecouldgo somewhere andjusteata bunchof caramels.
SKYLAR
What?
WILL
Whenyouthinkaboutit,it's justas arbitraryasdrinkingcoffee.
SKYLAR
(laughs)
Okay,soundsgood.

Sheturns.

WILL
Fiveminutes.
SKYLAR
What?
WILL
Iwas tryingtobesmooth.
(indicatesclock)
Butattwelve-fifteenIwasgonnacome overthereandtalkto you.
SKYLAR
See,it'smylife story.Fivemore minutesandIwouldhavegot tohear yourbestpick-upline.
WILL
Thecaramelthingismy pick-upline.

Abeat.

SKYLAR
GladIcame over.
CUTTO:
23

EXT.BOWAND ARROW--LATER

Ourboysare walkingoutofthebar teasingoneanotherabout

friends.

MORGAN
Theregoesthatfuckin'Barneyright now,withhisfuckin'"skiin'trip."We should'akickedthatdude'sass.
WILL
Holdup.

Willcrossesthestreetandapproachestheplateglasswindow andstandsacrossfromClark,separatedonlybytheglass.He POUNDSTHEGLASStoget Clark'sattention.

WILL(cont'd)
Hey!

ClarkturnstowardWill.

WILL(cont'd)
DOYOULIKE APPLES?

Clarkdoesn'tgetit.

WILL(cont'd)
DOYOULIKE APPLES?!
CLARK
Yeah?

WillSLAMSSKYLAR'SPHONENUMBERagainsttheglass.

WILL
WELLIGOT HERNUMBER!HOWDO YALIKE THEMAPPLES?!!

Will'sboyseruptintolaughter.AngleonClark,deflated.

24

EXT.STREET--NIGHT

Theboysmaketheirway home,piledintoChuckie'scar,laughing together.

25

EXT.CHARLESSTREETBRIDGE--DAWN

Shotofcar crossingovertheCharlesSt.Bridge,overtakinga red-linetrain.

26

EXT.CHARLESTONBACKROAD--DAWN

TravellingthroughnarrowbackroadsinCharlestown,passingthe BunkerHillmonument.

27

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--DAY

ArrivingatWill'shouseanddroppinghimoff.

DISSOLVETO:
28

INT.M.I.T.BUILDINGANDGROUNDSGARAGE--DAY

machineryandvarioustools.Anolderman,TERRY(58)sits

surroundings,somewhatuncomfortable.Getsdirty.

LAMBEAU
Excuseme.Isthisthe buildingsand groundsoffice?
TERRY
Yeah,canI helpyou?
LAMBEAU
I'mtryingtofindthe nameofa student whoworkshere.
TERRY
Nostudentsworkforme.
LAMBEAU
Couldyoujustcheck,becausetheyoung manwhoworksin mybuilding--
TERRY
Whichone'syourbuilding?
LAMBEAU
Buildingtwo.

Terrychecksalistbehindhis [own]desk.Looksup.

TERRY
Well,ifsomethingwasstolen,Ishould knowaboutit.
LAMBEAU
No,no.Nothinglikethat.I justneed hisname.TERRYI can'tgiveyouhis nameunlessyouhavea complaint.
LAMBEAU
Please,I'maprofessorhereandit's veryimportant.
TERRY
Well,hedidn'tshowup forwork today...

Terrytakesabeat.Holdingallthe cards.

TERRY(cont'd)
Look,hegothis jobthroughhisP.O.so youcancallhim.

Terrygoesthroughastackof paperonhis desk.Takesouta cardandhandsit toLambeau.Lambeaulooksblanklyatthecard whichreads:"PAROLEEMPLOYMENTPROGRAM."

29

INT.COURTROOM--DAY

WillstandsbeforeJUDGEMALONE(40)beingarraigned.Itis fairlyunceremoniuous,thecoutroomnearlyempty,saveWilland thePROSECUTOR.Lambeauwalksinfromtheback.

WILL
Thereisa lengthylegalprecedent,Your Honor,goingbackto1789,wherebya defendentmayclaimself-defenseagainst anagentof thegovernmentwheretheact isshownto bea defenseagainst tyranny,adefenseofliberty--

TheJudgeinterruptstoaddresstheprosecutor.

JUDGEMALONE
Mr.Simmons,OfficerMcNeelywhosigned thecomplaintisn'tinmycourtroom.Why isthat?
PROSECUTOR
He'sinthe hospitalwithabrokenknee, YourHonor.ButI havedepositionsfrom theotherofficers.
WILL
HenryWardBeecherproclaimed,inhis ProverbsFromPlymouthPulpitbackin 1887,that"EveryAmericancitizenisby birth,aswornofficerofthe state. Everymanisa policeman."Asforthe otherofficers,evenWilliamCongrave said;"hethatfirstcriesout'stop thief'is'ofthe thathasstolenthe treasure."
PROSECUTOR
YourHonor--

Willcranksitup.

WILL
(to Prosecutor)
Iam affordedtherighttospeakin my owndefensebyourconstitution,Sir. Thesamedocumentwhichguaranteesmy righttoliberty."Liberty,"incase you'veforgotten,is"thesoul'sright tobreathe,andwhenit cannottakea longbreathlawsaregirdedtootight. Withoutliberty,manisasyncope."
(beat,toJudge)
Ibid.YourHonor.
PROSECUTOR
Manisa what?
WILL
JuliusCaesarproclaimed--Thoughhebe wounded--"Magna..."

TheJudgeinterrupts.

JUDGEMALONE
Son,
(a beat)
Myturn.

TheJudgeopensWill'sCASEHISTORY.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
(reading)
June,'93,assault,Sept.'93 assault...GrandtheftautoFebruary'94.

Abeat,the Judgetakesparticularnotice.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
Where,appearantly,youdefended yourselfandhadthecasethrownoutby citing"freepropertyrightsofhorse andcarriage"from1798...

Lambeauhastosmile,impressed.TheJudgeshakeshishead.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
March,'94publicdrunkenness,public nudity,assault.10/94mayhem.November '94,assault.Jan.'95impersonatinga policeofficer,mayhem,theft, resisting--overturned--

TheJudgetakesa beat.GivesWilla look.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
You'reinmycourtroom,nowandI am awareofyourpriors.
(beat)

I'malsoawarethatyou'rean orphan.You'vebeenthrough

ofseriousphysicalabuse.

TheJudgeholdsa looktoWill,who looksdown.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
AnotherJudgemightcare.Youhita cop, yougoin.
(beat)
Motiontodismissdenied.

TheBailiffgoestoremoveWillfrom thecourtroom.

JUDGEMALONE(cont'd)
Keepworkin'onyourarguments,son.A wordofadvicefortrial;speakEnglish.

AsWillis removedfromthecourtroom,LambeauapproachesJudge Malonewhoissteppingdownfromthe bench.

LAMBEAU
Excuseme,yourHonor.
(offershand)
GeraldLambeau.

Anawkwardbeat.Lambeauwaitsforsomesignof recognition.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
I'ma professoratM.I.T.
(beat)
CombunatorialMathematics.

TheJudgeoffersonlya blanklook.

JUDGEMALONE
Oh.Pleasedtomeetyou.
LAMBEAU
Doyouhave aminute?
CUTTO:
30

INT.MIDDLESEXCOUNTYJAIL,HOLDINGAREA--SAME

AGUARDwalksWill downahallwaytowarda groupofphones.

GUARD
Onecall,toan attorney.
(beat)
One.

TheGuardgivesWilla hardlookfor abeat.Thenleaves.

WILL
Howmany?

Willpicksupthe phone,dials.

WILL(cont'd)
Hey,Skylar?
31

INT.SKYLAR'SDORM--DAY

SKYLAR
Yeah?
WILL
It'sWill,thereallyfunnygoodlooking guyyoumet atthebar?
SKYLAR
I'msorry,Idon'trecallmeetinganyone whofitsthatdescription.
WILL
Okay,yougotme. It'stheugly, obnoxious,toothlessloserwhogotdrunk andwouldn'tleaveyoualoneallnight.
SKYLAR
OhWill!I waswonderingwhenyou'd call.
WILL
Yeah,Ifiguredmaybesometimethisweek wecouldgo toa cafeandhavesome caramels.
SKYLAR
Soundsgood,whereareyounow?
WILL
Youaren't,byanychance,Pre-law?Are you?
CUTTO:
32

INT.MIDDLESEXCOUNTYJAIL,INTERROGATIONROOM--LATER

ProfessorLambeausits,waiting.Willisbroughtin,shackled, bythe guard.

LAMBEAU
Hello.GeraldLambeau,M.I.T.
WILL
Fuckdoyou want?
LAMBEAU
I'vespokenwiththejudgeandhe's agreedtoreleaseyouundermy supervision.
WILL
(suspicious)
Really?
LAMBEAU
(beat)
Yes.Undertwoconditions.
WILL
What'rethose?
LAMBEAU
Thatyoumeetwithme twicea week—
(a beat)
-and youmeetwitha therapist.
WILL
IfI agreetothis,I walkrightnow?
LAMBEAU
That'sright.
WILL
I'lldothe work.I'mnotgoingto meet withatherapist.
LAMBEAU
Now,itwon'tbe asbad asit sounds, Will.
(beat)
I'vealreadyspokentoonetherapist, hisnameis HenryLipkinandhe'sa friendofmine.He'salsopublishedfour booksandiswidelyconsideredtobeone ofthebrightestmenin hisfield.
(beat)
I'msureit'llbe betterthanspending thenextsixmonthsin jail.
CUTTO:
33

INT.FUNLAND--DAY

WillandChuckiewalkup toan enclosedtrampoline.Billyand Morganprefertouseit fortheirownversionof "Wrestlemania." AsWilland Chuckieapproach,Billyisontopof abloodied Morganandhashim inthe"CobraClutch."WillandChuckiewatch fora beat.Billytightenshisgrip.

BILLY
Submit,bitch!Submit!Submit!
MORGAN
(beingstrangled)
Suckmycock!
BILLY
Oh,Morgan!

ChuckieturnstoWill,conspiratoriallyastheywaitforthe fighttofinish.

CHUCKIE
What'dyouget?Youget leniency?
WILL
Probation,counselin',fewdaysaweek.
CHUCKIE
You'refuckin'good.

Willsmiles.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Justsubmit,Morgan.He'sgotyouinthe CobraClutch.
MORGAN
(toChuckie)
Fuckyourmothertoo!
34

INT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--NIGHT

Willsitsalonein hisoneroomapartment,reading.Acloser lookrevealsheis readingaself-helpPSYCHOLOGYBOOK.Willis flippingthroughthebookatabouta pagepersecond.Heshakes hisheadand smiles.Uponfinishingthebook,hethrowsitina nearbyWASTEBASKET.Pushinonthebackof thebookwherea SMILINGPSYCHOLOGISTispictured.

35

INT.PSYCHOLOGIST'SOFFICE--CONTINUOUS

Willsitsin awelldecoratedPsychologist'sOffice.Acrossfrom Willsitsthesame PSYCHOLOGIST,HENRYLIPKIN(40),fromthe book.Theyarein mid-session.

WILL
That'swhyIlove stock-carracin'.That DaleErnhart'srealgood.
PSYCHOLOGIST
NowyouknowWill,and Iknow,what you needtobe doing.Youhavea gift.
WILL
Icouldworkthe pitmaybe,butI could neverdrivelikeDaleErnhart--
PSYCHOLOGIST
--youhaveaquality--somethingyou werebornwith,thatyouhave nocontrol over-andyouare,in a sense,hiding thatbybecomingajanitor.AndI'm not sayingthat'swrong.I'mfriendswith thejanitorthatworksinmy building. He'sbeentomy housefordinner.Asa matteroffactI didsomefree consultationfor"Mike"--that'snot hisrealname.That'sinmy book.
WILL
Yeah,Ireadyour book."Mike"hadthe sameproblemsas"Chad"thestockbroker.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Yes.Thepressuresyoufeel,andagain, Iam neitherlabelingnorjudgingthem, arekeepingyoufromfulfillingyour potential--you'reinarut. Sostop theTomFoolery--the Shenanigan's, Will.
WILL
You'reright.Iknow.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Will,yournotgettingoffthateasy.
WILL
No,but,I meanyouknow...Idoother things.Thatnooneknowsabout.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Likewhat,Will?
WILL
Igo places,Iinteract.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Whatplaces?
WILL
Certain,clubs.
(beat)
Like,Paradise.It'snotbad.

WillgivesthePsychologistafurtivelook.

WILL(cont'd)
It'sjustthatfeelingwhenyoucan takeyourshirtoffand reallydance.
(beat)
Whenthemusicownsyou.Do you understand?
PSYCHOLOGIST
Imightunderstandthat.
WILL
Doyoufind ithardto hidethefact thatyou'regay?
PSYCHOLOGIST
What?
WILL
C'mon,Ireadyourbook.I talkedto you.It'sjustsomethingIknowto be true.
PSYCHOLOGIST
That'sverypresumptuous.
WILL
Buddy,twosecondsagoyouwerereadyto givemea jump.
PSYCHOLOGIST
(alittlelaugh)
Well,I'msorrytodisappointyou,but I'mmarriedandI havetwochildren.
WILL
I'msureyoudo. Youprobablygota real nicehouse,nicecar-- yourbook'sa bestseller.
PSYCHOLOGIST
You'regettingdefensive,Will.
WILL
Look,man.Idon'tcare ifyou're

argumentsthatsomeofthegreatest peopleinhistoryweregay;Alexander theGreat,Caeser,Shakespeare,Oscar Wilde,Napoleon,GertrudeStein,notto mentionDannyTerrio,notmanystraight mencandancelikethat.

PSYCHOLOGIST
Whois"DannyTerrio?"
WILL
Ifyouwannahit "Ramrod,"takeyour shot.Takesomeprideinit. Yougo to church?Sofuckin'what,Godlovesyou. Imean,Christ.A guyaswell knownas you?Bythe timeyouputyour disguise onandskulkout ofthe houseSunday nightsyouprobablylooklike"Inspector Cluseau."

ThePsychologistcalmlypackshisthings.

PSYCHOLOGIST
Well,Ican seethisis pointless...
WILL
You'regettingdefensive...Henry.And hey,cheif--tellthewife,atleast. Christ,setherfree.

Theshrinkgetsup andwalksout.

WILL(cont'd)
Fuckin'hypocrite...
36

INT.HALLWAY--CONTINUOUS

ThePsychologistcomeswalkingout,muchtothesurpriseof LambeauandTomwhohave beenwaitinginthelobby.

LAMBEAU
Henry?

ThePsychologistkeepswalking.

PSYCHOLOGIST
No.Youknowwhat,Gerry?Thisis whyI don'tdopro-bonoanymore.It'snot worthitto me.
LAMBEAU
Whathappened?
PSYCHOLOGIST
Idon'thavethe time.I'mgoingon nationaltelevisionthisweek.
LAMBEAU
Waitaminute,Henry...

He[Henry]isout thedoor.LambeaulookstoTom.

CUTTO:
37

INT.LAMBEAU'SOFFICE--DAY

Willisin Lambeau'soffice.Lambeauisattheboard,workingon adiagramas Tomtakesnotes.Willseemsdisinterested.

LAMBEAU
Thisrectangleissubdividedinto

thatoneedgeof thelargerrectangleis aninteger?

WILL
Ofcourse.
LAMBEAU
Okay.How?
WILL
It'sanintegerproof.

Lambeausmiles.

WILL(cont'd)
What?Hey,lookbuddymytime'salmost up.Youwantme tosit hereforan hour andwriteitout?

Lambeausaysnothing.Willgetsupandgoesto theboard.

WILL(cont'd)
Look,I'llgiveyouthe keystepstoit butI'mnot gonnadothewholething.

Lambeaukeepssmiling.

LAMBEAU
Thatwouldbea monumentalwasteof time,wouldn'tit,Will?
WILL
Ithinkso.
LAMBEAU
Ihappento knowso.

Lambeaurisesandgoestothe board.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
You'rethinkingtoohard.WhatifI did this?

Hedrawsa verticallinethroughthediagram.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Now,whatifI do this?

Hedrawsa horizontallinethroughthediagram.HehandsWill thechalk.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Haveyoueverplayedcheckers?

WillrealizeswhatLambeauisgettingat.Ina flashhestarts drawinglinesthroughthediagram,energized.

WILL
Youcolor-codeit.Half-red,half- black.Ifthat'saninteger--

Lambeaustepsin,writingwithhim[Will].

LAMBEAU
What'sthat?
WILL
Half-red,half-black--
LAMBEAU
--that?--
WILL
--Half-red,half-black--
LAMBEAU
--Thatedge!
WILL
Aninteger.

Thetwostop.They aresilentfora moment.Liketwogunfighters afteraduel,they putdownthechalk.

LAMBEAU
(checkshiswatch)
Itwouldappearwegot thatproofin underthewireafterall.It'snot how hardyoulookat things,youngman,it's thewayyou lookatthem.If youtake aimbeforeyoufire,youwill findthe mostdifficultproblemsbecome,quite literally,child'splay.

Willgetshiscoat.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Will,you'vemanagedtooffendfourof mycolleaguessomuchthattheyrefused tocomeback.You'remeetingwiththe leadinghypnotistinthecountrynext weekandTomand Iplan tositin onthe sessions,soIexpectyouto behave appropriately.
CUTTO:
38

INT.LAMBEAU'SOFFICE--DAY

Willsitsin achairacrossfromLambeauandthe HYPNOTIST. Lambeau'sassistant,TOM(33)takesnotes.TheHypnotistmakes smalltalkwithLambeau,whocheckshiswatch.

LAMBEAU
Shallwestartthe,uh...
WILL
Yeah,whendoI getmy hypnosis?You guysbeentalkin'fortwentyminutes.
HYPNOTIST
Yes,Will.We'llgetto that.Butfirst, whydon'tyougo tosleepfor me.

HeSNAPSHIS FINGERSandinstantlyWill'sheadgoesBACKandhis EYESCLOSE.TheHypnotistgivesLambeaualook.

HYPNOTIST(cont'd)
Wouldyoumindstandingononeleg?

Willgetsup andstandsonone leg.Lambeauisimpressed.

TIMECUTTO:
39

INT.LAMBEAU'SOFFICE--LATER

Willisreclining,eyesclosed,ina trance-likestate.Themood ismoreseriousnow.

HYPNOTIST
Okay,you'reinyourbed,Will.Now how oldareyou?
WILL
Seven.
HYPNOTIST
Andwhatdo yousee?
WILL
Somethin'sinmyroom.
HYPNOTIST
Whatisit?
WILL
It'slikea smallfigure,hoverin'over me.Gettin'closer.

Willflinches.

HYPNOTIST
You'reina safeplace,Will.
WILL
It'stouchingme.

Lambeaumakesasound.TheHypnotistshusheshim[Lambeau]with his[Hypnotist's]finger.Tomreturnstohisnote-taking.

HYPNOTIST
Whereisit touchingyou?
WILL
Downthere.
(indicatinggenitals)
AndI'mnervous.
HYPNOTIST
Youdon'thaveto benervous,Will.

LambeauandtheTherapisttradelooks.Thisisworking.

WILL
'CauseI'mnotready.
(calming)
Butthefiguretellsme everything's gonnabeallright.'Causethefigure's aLibratoo.And westartdancin'and it'sbeautiful--

Willbreaksintosongat fullvolume.

WILL(cont'd)
"SKYROCKETSINFLIGHT!"
LAMBEAU
(gettingup)
OhJesus.

isstillsingingfrom"SkyRockets."

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Waitaminute,Barry.
HYPNOTIST
Ihavebetterwaysto spendmytime.

Heis gone.Willstopssinging,laughs.

LAMBEAU
Oh,forGod'ssake,Will.
WILL
Oh,comeon!You'renot pinnin'thisone onme.He left,I wantedtotalkto him foranothertwentyminutes.Iwashavin' fun.
LAMBEAU
Itoldyou tocooperatewiththese people.
WILL
C'mon,thatguywasa fuckin'pieceof work.

Willgetsup andadoptsahypnoticpersonainfrontof Lambeau.

WILL(cont'd)
(spookyvoice)
Lookintomyeyes.I don'tneedtherapy.
LAMBEAU
Getout,Will.
WILL
Okay...don'tforgettogetanother therapistfornextweek.
LAMBEAU
That'senough.

Willisout thedoor.LambeauturnstoTom.

TOM
IcalledMelWeintraubthismorning,to checkforavailability.
LAMBEAU
What'sthepoint?
TOM
Whatdoyou wanttodo?
LAMBEAU
Thereissomebody...
TOM
Whoishe?
LAMBEAU
Hewasmy roommateincollege.
40

INT.BUNKERHILLCAMPUS--DAY

ThisisSEAN MAGUIRE'S"DyingandBereavement"class.Emblazoned onthe dooris"room101."Whilethe lecturehallcouldhold sixtystudents,therearelessthanfifteenheretoday.

SeanMaguirelecturestotheclassina resignedtone.Tiredof teaching,tiredoflife,hefindshimselfresignedtothetedium ofteachingcoreclassestoan indifferentstudentbody.

SEAN
Establishingtrustisthemostimportant componentinmakingbreakthroughswitha patient.Why?

Abeat.

SEAN(cont'd)
Maureen?

MAUREEN'Sonlyresponseisanemptystare.

SEAN(cont'd)
Keepupthe goodwork,Maureen.Vinnie?

VINNIElooksup.

VINNIE
Becausetrustisanimportantthing.
SEAN
Don'tbullshitme,Vinnie.Didn'tyour brothergiveyouthenotes?Okay.Ifa patientdoesn'ttrustyouthenthey won'tfeelsafeenoughtobe honestwith you--thenthere'snopointtothembeing intherapy.It'slikesaying--"Fine, comehereanddon'ttellme a thingbut gohomefeelinglikeyou'redoing somethingaboutyourproblems--andgive memy fiftybucksbeforeyouleavewill ya'!"

Helooksaroundtheroom forapproval.Nooneis listening.

SEAN(cont'd)
Ifyoudon'thelp themtrustyou-- then there'snowayyou'llevergetthem to sleepwithyou.Andthatshouldbe the goalofany goodtherapist.Insecure women,youknow...nail'emwhenthey're vulnerable,that'salwaysbeenmymotto.

Thestudentslookup,somewhatstunned.

SEAN(cont'd)
See,Igot Vinnie'sattention.

Laughter.Seanstartstoresumehislecture,whenhenotices LAMBEAUstandinginthebackofthe room.Thereisan awkward moment.

SEAN(cont'd)
Gerry.
LAMBEAU
Sean.
SEAN
(to class)
Well,itseemswe'rein thepresenceof

Field'sMedalwinner.Combunatorial Mathematics.1986.

Thestudentsstareblankly.

LAMBEAU
Hello.
SEAN
TheField'sMedalistheNobelPrizefor math.
(beat)
Butit'sonlygivenout everyfour years.

Abeat.

SEAN(cont'd)
Okay,that'sallfortoday.Tryand get throughFernaldbyMonday.

Theclassstartstopack upandfile out.Lambeauapproaches Seanwhostepsdownfrom thelecturn.

LAMBEAU
Goodtosee you.
SEAN
Goodtosee you.
LAMBEAU
Istheresomeplacewecantalk?
CUTTO:
41

EXT.HARVARDSQUARE--NIGHT

WillandSkylaron theirfirstdate.Theywatchastreet MAGICIANdoingtrickswitharabbit.Theguy'stricksarepretty good,buthison-stagepersonacouldusesomework.He is incessantlyrepeatingthephrase"thisistherabbit,therabbit reallydoesthetricks."WillgivesSkylaralookand theymove on.

CUTTO:
42

INT.TOYSTORE-- LATER

WillandSkylarwalkintothe smallshop.

SKYLAR
Idon'tknow,it wasjustkindof the boringsuburbanthing.Privateschool, Harvard,andnowMed.School.
(Beat)
Iactuallyfiguredoutthatatthe end ofit,my brainwillbe worthaquarter ofa milliondollars.Ishouldn'thave toldyouthat...
WILL
Ibet yourparentswerehappytopay.
SKYLAR
Iwas happytopay.I inheritedthe money.
WILL
IsHarvardgettin'allthatmoney?
SKYLAR
Stanford.I'mleavinginJuneafterI graduate.
WILL
Soyoujust wanttouse meandgo?
SKYLAR
Well,I'mgonnaexperimentonyouformy anatomyclass,thengo.
WILL
Inthatcase,fine.
(beat)
Wanttosee mymagictrick?
SKYLAR
Sure.

Will,pullsouta bulgingHANDFULOFCARAMELS.

WILL
Now,I'mgonnamakeall thesecaramels disappear.
SKYLAR
Okay...

Willgoesintoall mannerofhocus-pocustheatrics.Thenshakes hishandwildly.Thetrickdoesn'tpanout andthecaramelsgo flyingalloverthestore.Skylarlaughs.

WILL
ItworksbetterwhenI havemyrabbit.
CUTTO:
43

INT.LOCKOBERRESTAURANT--NIGHT

LambeauandSeansharea tableatthisexclusiverestaurant. Seanseemsslightlyoutofplacein hiswrinkledsportcoat.

LAMBEAU
Ididn'tseeyou atthe reunion.
SEAN
I'vebeenbusy.
LAMBEAU
Youweremissed.
(beat)
Howlonghasit beensincewe'veseen eachother?
SEAN
SinceNancydied.
LAMBEAU
I'msorry,thatdamnconference--
SEAN
Igot yourcard.
44

INT.HARVARDSQ.DINER:"THETASTY"--NIGHT

AFRY COOKhandsWillandSkylara pairof CHEESEBURGERS.

SKYLAR
HaveyoueverseenAnnieHall?
WILL
No.
SKYLAR
Well,there'sthispartofthemovie that'sabouthowthere'salwaysthis tensiononafirstdate whereboth peoplearethinkingaboutwhat'sgoing tohappenwiththewhole'goodnight kiss'thing.

Willsmiles.

WILL
Ireallydon't'date'thatmuch.
SKYLAR
(laughs)
YouknowwhatI mean.I knowyou'veat leastthoughtaboutit.
WILL
NoI haven't...
SKYLAR
Yesyouhave.You werethinkingyouwere gonnageta goodnightkiss.
WILL
(mockprotest)
NoI wasn't...
SKYLAR
Yesyouwere.
WILL
Iwas kinda'hopin'togeta "goodnight laid"but...I'lltakeakiss.

Shelaughs.

SKYLAR
Oh,youwill?
WILL
No...Iwashopingtogeta kiss.
SKYLAR
Thenwhydon'twe justgetit outofthe way.

Helooksat her.

WILL
Now?

Bothofthem havecheeseburgerintheirmouths.

SKYLAR
Yeah.

Theykiss,mouthsfullofburger.It'snice.A beat.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Thathadto betheworstgood night kiss...

Willlaughs.

WILL
Hey,looklady,I'mjusthere forthe freefood.

Shesmiles.

SKYLAR
Free?
WILL
Hey,Ispentall mymoneyon those caramels.

Shelaughs.

CUTTO:
45

INT.LOCKOBERRESTAURANT--SAME

LambeauandSean,havingfinishedtheirmeal.Lambeauhasbeen pitchingSean.

SEAN
I'vebeenbusy,Gerry.Igot afull schedule.
LAMBEAU
Thiskid'sspecial,Sean.I'venever seenanythinglikehim.
SEAN
Notmuchfreetime,Gerry.
LAMBEAU
Haveyoueverheardof aman named Ramanujan?

Seannodshishead.

SEAN
Yeah.
LAMBEAU
Hewasaliveover ahundredyearsago. HewasIndian.Dots,notfeathers...

Seanfinishesthejoke.Lambeauchuckles.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
SothisRamanujanlivedina tinyhutin India.Noformaleducation,noaccessto otherworks.Buthecameacrossan old mathbookandfromthis basictexthe wasableto extrapolatetheoriesthat hadbaffledmathematiciansforyears.
SEAN
Andhemailedit toHardy--
LAMBEAU
--That'sright,Sean.Hemailedittoa professoratCambridgewhoimmediately recognizedthebrillianceinhiswork andbroughtRamanujantoEngland.
SEAN
Wherehecontractedpneumoniaanddied ata youngage--
LAMBEAU
Theyworkedtogetherfortheremainder oftheirlives,producingsomeofthe mostexcitingmaththeoryeverdone. Ramanujan'sgeniuswasunparalleled, Sean.Thisboyis likethat.Buthe's verydefensiveandIneedsomeonewho cangetthroughtohim.
SEAN
Whyme?
LAMBEAU
Ineedsomeonewithyourkind of background.
SEAN
Mykindof background?
LAMBEAU
You'refromthesameneighborhood.South Boston.
SEAN
He'sfromSouthie?Howmanypeopledid youtrybeforeyoucame tome?
LAMBEAU
(lookssquarelyatSean)
Five.

Seangivesa slight,knowingsmile.

SEAN
Who?Barry,Henry,Rick...

Lambeaunods.

SEAN
NotRick?Youdidn'tsendhim toRick?
LAMBEAU
Justmeetwiththeboy oncea week.
SEAN
Canwedo itat myoffice?
LAMBEAU
Thatwouldbefine.

ThewaitercomeswiththeCHECK.Eachman reachesforit.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Sean,please.
SEAN
Igot it.
LAMBEAU
It'sonthe college.

Seanrelents.

CUTTO:
46

EXT.BUNKERHILLCAMPUS--MORNING

Loganairport.Willwalksupthesteps.

CUTTO:
47

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

Sean'sofficeiscomfortable.Booksarestackedagainstthe wall.Thereisa PAINTINGonthewallbehindSean.Seanis seatedbehindadesk.Lambeausitsina chairin thebackof the room,nexttoTom. Alongbeat passes,theywait.

LAMBEAU
Anyvulnerabilityhesenses,he'll exploit.
SEAN
I'llbeokay.
LAMBEAU
It'sapokergame withthisyoungman. Don'tlethimsee whatyou'vegot.

Seannods.Willwalksin.EveryonestandstogreetWill.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Hello,Will.Anytroublefindingthe place?
WILL
No.
LAMBEAU
Will,thisisSeanMaguire.Sean,Will Hunting.

SeanandWillnod. Anawkwardmomentasthefour menstand.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Well,let'sgetstarted.
WILL
Yeah,let'sletthehealingbegin.

Lambeauisslightlyembarrassed.SeansmilesatWill'sjoke.

SEAN
Wouldyouexcuseus?
LAMBEAU
Tom.
SEAN
Youtoo,Gerry.

LambeaulooksatSean,surprised.Sean'sstareisunwavering. Afteranawkwardmoment,Lambeaugoes,leavingSeanandWill alone.Willdoesn'tlookatSeanfor morethana second.He seemsmoreinterestedintheroom.Thereisa longsilenceas SeanwatchesWill.

SEAN(cont'd)
Hello,Will.I'mSeanMaguire.

AsmilecrossesWill'sfaceas hewalksto hischairandsits. Helightsa cigarette.Seancontinuestowatchhim.Finally-

SEAN(cont'd)
Whereareyoufromin Southie?
WILL
Didyoubuy allthesebooksretail,or doyousend awayforlikea "shrinkkit" thatcomeswithallthesevolumes included?
SEAN
Haveyoureadall thesebooks,Will?
WILL
Probablynot.
SEAN
(indicatingashelf)
Howabouttheoneson thatshelf?

Will'seyesflickeruptothe shelfforan instant.

WILL
Yeah,Ireadthose.
SEAN
Whatdidyouthink?
WILL
I'mnotherefor afuckin'bookreport. They'reyourbooks,whydon'tyouread 'em?
SEAN
Idid.
WILL
Thatmusthavetakenyoua longtime.
SEAN
Yeah,itdidtake mea longtime.

Seansaysthiswithpride.His determinedstareandconfident mannercatchWillabit offguard.Willrisesfromhis chairand goestothe shelf.

WILL
(lookingatbook)
"AHistoryofthe UnitedStates,Volume I."Ifyou wanttoread arealhistory book,readHowardZinn's"APeople's HistoryoftheUnitedStates."Thatbook willknockyouon yourass.
SEAN
HowaboutNoamChomsky's"Manufacturing Consent?"
WILL
Youpeoplebaffleme.Youspendall this moneyonbeautiful,fancybooks--and they'rethewrongfuckin'books.
SEAN
Youthinkso?
WILL
Whateverblowsyourhairback.

Willreturnstohischair.Pause.

SEAN
(indicatingcigarette)
Guyyourageshouldn'tsmokesomuch. Stuntyourgrowth.
WILL
You'reright.Itreallygetsinthe way ofmy jazzercizing.

Seandoesnotseem atallaffectedbyWill'sattitude.He remainsbehindthebigdeskwithalmosthalfa smileonhis face.Willisawareof Sean'sconfidence.

WILL(cont'd)
Doyoulift?
SEAN
Yes,Ido.
WILL
Nautilus?
SEAN
Freeweights.
WILL
Ohyeah?Me too.Whatdoyou bench?

SEAN

WILL
Oh.

Willgetsup againandmovesaroundhischairto Sean's painting.Itisa pictureofanold sailboatinatremendous storm--bynomeansamasterpiece.Willstudiesit.

WILL(cont'd)
Youpaintthis?
SEAN
Yeah.Doyoupaint?
WILL
No.
SEAN
Crayons?
WILL
Thisisa realpieceof shit.
SEAN
Tellmewhatyou reallythink.
WILL
Poorcolorcomposition,lousyuseof space.Butthatshitdoesn'treally concernme.
SEAN
Whatdoes?
WILL
Thecolorhere,seehow darkitis? It's interesting.
SEAN
Whatis?
WILL
Ithinkyou'reonestep awayfrom cuttingyourearoff.
SEAN
Oh,"StarryNight"time,huh?
WILL
Youeverheardthesaying,"anyportin astorm?"
SEAN
Sure,how'bout"stillwatersrundeep"- -
WILL
--Well,maybethatmeansyou.
SEAN
Maybewhatmea--
WILL
Maybeyou wereinthe middleofa storm,abigfuckin'storm--thewaves werecrashingoverthebow,the Goddamnedmastwasabouttosnap,and youwerecryingforthe harbor.Soyou didwhatyouhad todo, togetout. Maybeyoubecameapsychologist.
SEAN
Maybeyoushouldbea patientandsit down.
WILL
Maybeyoumarriedthewrongwoman.
SEAN
Watchyourmouth.
WILL
That'sitisn'tit?You marriedthe wrongwoman.Sheleaveyou?Wasshe bangin'someoneelse?

SeaniswalkingslowlytowardsWill.

WILL(cont'd)
Howarethe seasnow,D--

Ina flash,SeanhasWillby thethroat.Willis helpless.

SEAN
Ifyouever disrespectmywifeagain...I willendyou.
WILL
Time'sup.
CUTTO:
48

INT.HALLWAY--CONTINUOUS

Willwalksoutof Sean'sofficepastLambeauandTomwhoare sittinginthehallway.

WILL
Atease,gentlemen.
CUTTO:
49

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

Seanstandsbehindhisdeskin hisoffice,stillverymuchon edge.Lambeauwalksin.

LAMBEAU
Fiveminutes,Sean.Areyouokay?

Apause,Seanis staringathispainting.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
I'llunderstandifyoudon'twantto meetwithhimagain.
SEAN
Thursday,fouro'clock.Makesurethe kidishere.
CUTTO:
50

EXT.WONDERLANDRACETRACK--DAY

WillandSkylarsitin thestandswatchingthedogsrun.Theyad libteasingoneanotheraboutEngland,Ireland,andAmerica.

SKYLAR
Yougrewup aroundhere?
WILL
Notfarfromhere,SouthBoston.
SKYLAR
Howwasthat?
WILL
Prettyboring,Iguess.

Shesmiles.

SKYLAR
Ibet youhavea greatfamily.
WILL
Youknow,nothingspecial.
SKYLAR
Youhavea lotof brothersandsisters?
WILL
DoI havea lotofbrothersandsisters?
SKYLAR
Yeah.
WILL
Well,IrishCatholic.Whatdoyouthink?
SKYLAR
Howmany?
WILL
Youwouldn'tbelievemeifI toldyou.
SKYLAR
What,five?

Willshakeshishead.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Seven?

Willshakeshishead.Smiles.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Comeon.
WILL
Ihavetwelvebig brothers.
SKYLAR
Nota chance.
WILL
Yup,you'relookin'atluckythirteen.
SKYLAR
Bullshit.
WILL
Iswearto God.
SKYLAR
Yourhousemusthavebeena zoo.
WILL
Itwasgreat.Therewas alwayssomeone toplaywith,giveyou advice.
SKYLAR
Doyouknow alltheirnames?
WILL
'CourseIdo,they'remybrothers.
SKYLAR
Well...
WILL
Marky,Ricky,Danny,Terry,Mikey, Davey,Timmy,Tommy,Joey,Robby, Johnny,andBrian.
SKYLAR
(laughing)
Doyoukeep intouchwiththem?
WILL
Allthetime.We alllivein Southie.I livewiththreeofthem now.

Skylarsmiles.

SKYLAR
Iwantto meetthem.
WILL
We'lldothat.
CUTTO:
51

INT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--NIGHT

Aswe panacrossSean'ssmallapartment,wefinditstrewnwith dirtyclothesandthesinkfullof dishes.Although,ifit weren'tfortheclutter,theplacewouldfeelprettybare.A framedSPORTSILLUSTRATEDcoverfeaturingascreamingLarryBird andentitled"CELTICPRIDE"hangsonthewall.Seansitsat the tablenexttoanothernearlyemptybottleofBUSHMILL'SIRISH WHISKEY.Heisdeepin thought.

CUTTO:
52

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

desk.Heseemsdifferent.Morecalm.WillandSeanstareat each otherfora longmoment.

WILL
Youagain.Howthepaintin'coming?

Seanstandsup.

SEAN
Comewithme.
CUTTO:
53

EXT.BOSTONCOMMON--MINUTESLATER

SeanandWillsit inthe bleachersatthemostlyemptypark. Theylookoutover asmallpond,in whichagroupof schoolchildrenonafieldtripridethefamousSwanBoats.

WILL
Sowhat'swiththisplace?Youhave a swanfetish?Isthissomethingyou'd liketotalkabout?
SEAN
Iwas thinkingaboutwhatyousaidtome theotherday,aboutmy painting.I stayeduphalfthenightthinkingabout itandthen somethingoccuredtomeand Ifellinto adeeppeacefulsleepand haven'tthoughtaboutyousince.You knowwhatoccurredtome?
WILL
No.
SEAN
You'rejustaboy.You don'thavethe faintestideawhatyou'retalkingabout.
WILL
Whythankyou.
SEAN
You'veneverbeenoutofBoston.
WILL
No.
SEAN
Soif Iaskedyou aboutartyoucould givemethe skinnyoneveryartbook everwritten...Michelangelo?Youknowa lotabouthimI bet.Life'swork, criticisms,politicalaspirations.But youcouldn'ttellmewhatit smellslike intheSistineChapel.You'venever stoodthereandlookedupat that

aboutwomenI'msureyoucouldgive mea syllabusofyourpersonalfavorites,and maybeyou'vebeenlaidafew timestoo. Butyoucouldn'ttellmehow itfeelsto wakeupnextto a womanandbetruly happy.IfI askedyouaboutwaryou couldrefermeto abevyof fictional andnon-fictionalmaterial,butyou've neverbeenin one.You'veneverheld yourbestfriend'sheadinyourlap and watchedhimdrawhislastbreath, lookingtoyouforhelp.And ifI asked youaboutloveI'dget asonnet,but you'veneverlookedatawomanand been

couldkillyouwitha look.Thatsomeone

hadputan angelonEarthjustfor you. Andyouwouldn'tknowhowit felttobe herangel.Tohavethe lovebetherefor herforever.Throughanything,through cancer.Youwouldn'tknowaboutsleeping sittingupina hospitalroomfortwo monthsholdingherhandandnotleaving becausethedoctorscouldseeinyour eyesthattheterm"visitinghours" didn'tapplytoyou.Andyou wouldn't knowaboutrealloss,becausethatonly occurswhenyoulosesomethingyoulove morethanyourself,andyou'venever daredtoloveanythingthatmuch.I look atyouand Idon'tsee anintelligent confidentman,Idon'tseea peer,andI don'tseemyequal.I seea boy.Nobody couldpossiblyunderstandyou,right Will?Yetyoupresumetoknow somuch aboutmebecauseofa paintingyousaw. Youmustknoweverythingaboutme. You'reanorphan,right?

Willnodsquietly.

SEAN(cont'd)
DoyouthinkI wouldpresumetoknowthe firstthingaboutwhoyouare becauseI read"OliverTwist?"AndIdon'tbuythe argumentthatyoudon'twanttobe here, becauseIthinkyoulikeall the attentionyou'regetting.Personally,I don'tcare.There'snothingyoucantell methatI can'treadsomewhereelse. Unlesswetalkaboutyourlife.But you won'tdothat.Maybeyou'reafraidof whatyoumightsay.

Seanstands,

SEAN(cont'd)
It'supto you.

Andwalksaway.

CUTTO:
54

INT.CONSTRUCTIONSITE--DAY

WillandChuckiedoingdemoat thesite.Theythrowcinderblocks outa windowintoapile.They arefilthy.

CUTTO:
55

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONSTREET--NIGHT

fidling,hummingtotheradio.MorganandBillysitin theback, sharingacaseof beer.Willisat a payphone.

56

INT.SKYLAR'SROOM--NIGHT

SKYLAR
Hello?

Willhangsupand runsbackto thecar,soaked.

CHUCKIE
Who'dyoucall?
WILL
Noone.I didn'thavethenumber.
MORGAN
Whatareyou,retarded?Youwentallthe wayouttherein therainand youdidn't havethenumber?
WILL
No,itwas yourmother's900number.I justranoutof quarters.

Laughter.Chuckiepullsawayfromthecurb.

MORGAN
Whydon'tweget offmothers,Ijustgot offyours.

Thereisa longmomentofsilencein responsetoMorgan's attemptatlevity.Thenlaughter.

BILLY
You'reaprettyfunnyguy.Here,havea nickel.

BillyWHIPShisEMPTYBEERCAN offofMorgan'shead.

MORGAN
Keepfuckin'withme.Watchwhat happens.
BILLY
Allright,then.
MORGAN
Watchwhathappens.
CUTTO:
57

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

WillsitsacrossfromSeancompletelysilentandtakesouta packofcigarettes.

SEAN
Nosmoking.

thewall.It istheonly clockintheroom anditis BEHIND Will.Theirhourisalmostup.

CLOSEON:WILL'SEYESINTERCUTWITHTHECLOCK.

Heis countingseconds.Asthesecondhandcrossesthetwelve, Willstandsupand walksout,leavingSeanalone.

58

INT.HALLWAY--LATER

LambeauandSeanwalkdownthe hallwayafterthesession.

LAMBEAU
Whatdoyou mean"hedidn'ttalk?"You satthereforan hour?
SEAN
No,hejust satthereandcountedthe

wasprettyimpressive,actually.

LAMBEAU
Whywouldhedo that?
SEAN
Toshowme hedoesn'thaveto talktome ifhe doesn'twantto.
LAMBEAU
Oh,whatis this?Somekindofstaring contestbetweentwokidsfromthe"old neighborhood?"
SEAN
Iwon'ttalkfirst.
59

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--EVENING

ChuckiedropsWilloffathis apartment,watcheshim[Will]walk upthe steps.

DISSOLVETO:
60

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--MORNING

Chuckiepullsuptothe curbandwalksup thestepsto Will's frontdoor.Afterabeat,Will emerges.Theygetbackin[the car].

CUTTO:
61

EXT.CONSTRUCTIONSITE--DAY

WillandChuckieatwork.ChuckieshowsWillhow tobe aman.

62

INT.L STREETBAR&GRILLE,SOUTHBOSTON--NIGHT

Thebaris a bitmorecrowdedthanusual.WillandChuckiewalk backtotheirtable,carryingbeers.Theypassa tableof GIRLS,localregularsgettingjustasbombedastheguys.These girlsarea littleoverdone.Toomuchmake-up,toomuch hairspray,andtoomuchbodyforsuchtightoutfits.Oneof the girls,KRYSTYN,smilesatWillwhoseemssubdued.

KRYSTYN
Hi,Will.
WILL
Howyoudoin',Krystyn.

Theypassthetableof girls.Chuckielooksatone,ruefully.

CHUCKIE
Ididn'tgeton Cathylastnight.
WILL
Whynot?
CHUCKIE
Idon'tknow.

Chuckieturnsbacktooneof thegirls,callingout:

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Cathy!Whydidn'tyougiveme noneof yourtwatlastnight?

Agirl atthetable,CATHY,holdsup herPINKYFINGERand smiles--revealingamouthfulofMISSINGTEETH.

CATHY
Fuckyouandyour Irishcurse,Chuckie!
CHUCKIE
She'smissin'teeth,Will.

Willnods,notreallyintoit tonight.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Plus,it'slike,fivetotwo Morganends upmarryin'her.There'sonlysomany timesyoucanbangyour friend'sfuture wife...

Theygetto thetable.Will'sheartjustisn'tinit.

WILL
I'mtakin'off.
ALL
We'regoin'latenight.
WILL
I'mtired.
CUTTO:
63

INT.LAMBEAU'SOFFICE--DAY

particularlyamusingseriesofnumbers,theysharealookand laugh.

CUTTO:
64

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

WillandSeansit insilence.Along momentpasses.Sean casuallyreclinesinhischair,disinterested.Willrestlessly looksaroundtheroomandthen backtoSean.An oddhalfsmile crossesSean'sface.Afteramoment:

WILL
Youknow,I wasonthis planeonce.And I'msittin'thereandthecaptaincomes onandis like"we'llbecruisingat 35,000feet,"anddoeshisthing,then heputsthe mikedownbutforgetsto turnitoff.Then hesays"man,all I wantrightnowis ablow-jobanda cup ofcoffee."Sothestewardessgoes runnin'uptowardsthecock-pittotell himthemike'sstillon,and thisguyin thebackof theplanegoes"don'tforget thecoffee!"
SEAN
(smiles)
You'veneverbeenona plane.
WILL
Iknow,but thejoke'sbetterifI tell itin thefirstperson.

Abeat.

WILL(cont'd)
Ihavebeen laidyouknow.

Seansmiles.

SEAN
Yeah?Yougota ladynow?
WILL
Yeah,Iwenton a datelastweek.
SEAN
How'ditgo?
WILL
Fine.
SEAN
Well,areyougoingout again?
WILL
Idon'tknow.
SEAN
Whynot?
WILL
Haven'tcalledher.
SEAN
JesusChrist,youareanamateur.
WILL
Iknowwhat I'mdoing.She'sdifferent fromtheothergirlsI met.Wehave a reallygoodtime.She'ssmart, beautiful,fun...
SEAN
SoChrist,callherup.
WILL
Why?SoI canrealizeshe'snotso smart.Thatshe'sboring.Youdon'tget it.Rightnowshe'sperfect,Idon't wanttoruinthat.
SEAN
Andrightnowyou'reperfecttoo.Maybe youdon'twantto ruinthat.

Willsaysnothing.

SEAN(cont'd)
Well,Ithinkthat'sa greatphilosophy Will,thatwayyoucan gothroughyour entirelifewithouteverhavingto reallyknowanybody.

SeanlooksdirectlyatWill,wholooksaway.A beat.

SEAN(cont'd)
Mywifeusedto turnthealarmclockoff inhersleep.I waslatefor workall thetimebecauseinthe middleofthe nightshe'drolloverandturnthe damn thingoff.EventuallyIgota second clockandputit undermysideof the bed,butit gottowhereshe wasgettin' tothatone too.Shewasafraidof the dark,sotheclosetlightwas onall night.Thingkeptmeup halfthenight. EventuallyI'dfallasleep,outofsheer exhaustionandnotwakeupwhenI was supposedtocauseshe'dhavealready gottentomyalarms.

Willsmiles,Seantakesabeat.

SEAN(cont'd)
Mywife'sbeendeadtwo years,Will.And whenIthinkabouther, thosearethe

idiosyncrasiesthatonlyIknewabout. Thosemadehermy wife.Andshehad the goodsonme too.LittlethingsIdo out

imperfectionsWill.It'sjustwhowe are.Andwe gettochoosewho we're goingtoletinto outweirdlittle worlds.You'renotperfect.Andletme saveyouthesuspense,thisgirlyoumet isn'teither.Thequestionis,whether ornotyou'reperfectforeachother. Youcanknoweverythingintheworld, buttheonlyway you'refindin'thatone outisby givingita shot.Yousure won'tgettheanswerfroman oldfucker likeme.Andeven ifI didknow,I wouldn'ttellyou.

Willsmiles.Abeat.

WILL
Whynot?Youtold meeveryotherfuckin' thing.Youtalkmorethanany shrinkI evermet.

Seanlaughs.

SEAN
Iteachthisshit,I didn'tsayI knew howtodo it.
WILL
Youeverthinkaboutgettin'remarried?
SEAN
Mywife'sdead.
WILL
Hence,thewordremarried.
SEAN
Mywife'sdead.
WILL
WellIthinkthat'sa wonderful philosophy,Sean.Thatwayyoucango throughtherestofyourlife without havingtoreallyknowanyone.

Abeat.Sean smiles.

SEAN
Time'sup.
CUTTO:
65

EXT.SKYLAR'SDORM--AFTERNOON

Williswaitingoutsidethedoorfor someonetocomeout-- so hecan goin.

66

INT.SKYLAR'SDORM--AFTERNOON

Thedoorto Skylar'sdormispartiallyopen.Willstandsoutside whileSkylarremainsonthethreshold.

SKYLAR
Wherehaveyoubeen?
WILL
I'msorry,Ibeen realbusy.
SKYLAR
Youwerebusy?Youknow,I reallywas waitingforyoutocall me.
WILL
Sorry.I'msorry.Givemeanothercrack atit.Let metakeyou out.
SKYLAR
Youshouldhavecalled.Ihavean "O- chem"labduetomorrowandit's impossible.
(beat)
It'snotan excusedummy.Iwantto go outwithyou.But look:

Sheholdsup herLab.Willglancesatit.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Tomorrow?
WILL
Promise?
SKYLAR
Ifyoubringthe caramels.

Willsmiles.

CUTTO:
67

EXT.HARVARDSQUARE--LATER

Willsitsin anoutdoorcafe,thinking.Afterabeat,heleans overtotwo studentsworkingatanearbytable,borrowsapen andpaperandstartswriting.

CUTTO:
68

EXT.SKYLAR'SDORM--DAY

Willisa solitaryfigurestrollingacrossthelawn.Hestopsat Skylar'sdormandknocksonthedoor.

CUTTO:
69

INT.SKYLAR'SDORM--DAY

Sheemarges.Hehandsherthe paperhewas workingon.Itis her O-chemlab.

WILL
Icouldn'twaittilltomorrow.
SKYLAR
Howthehelldid youdo that?
WILL
Didn'tyourmotherevertellyounotto lookagift horsenthe mouth?
SKYLAR
I'msupposedtounderstandthis.
WILL
You'renotgoingintosurgerytomorrow areyou?
SKYLAR
No.
WILL
Thenlet'sgohavesome fun.

Witha smile,sherelents.

70

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

SeanandWillin session.

SEAN
Really?How'dthedatego?
WILL
Doyoustillcounselveterans?
(beat)
Ireadyour booklastnight.
SEAN
No,I don't.
WILL
Whynot?
SEAN
Igavethat upwhenmy wifegotsick.
WILL
Isthatwhy youdidn'twriteanything else?
SEAN
(smiles)
Ididn'twriteanythingelse'cause nobody,includingmostofmycolleagues botheredtoreadthefirstone.
WILL
Well,I'vereadyoucolleagues.Your bookwasgood,Sean.
(beat)
Allthoseguyswerein yourplatoon?
SEAN
Yeah.
WILL
WhathappenedtothatguyfromKentucky?
SEAN
Lon?Hegot married.Hehasa kid.I kindoflosttouchwith himafterNancy gotsick.
WILL
Doyouever wonderwhatyourlifewould belikeif younevermetyour wife?
SEAN
What?DoI wonderifI'dbe betteroff ifI nevermetmy wife?

Willstartstoclarifyhisquestion.

SEAN(cont'd)
No,that'sokay.It'sanimportant question.'Causeyou'llhaveyourbad times,whichwakeyouupto thegood stuffyouweren'tpayingattentionto. Andyoucan fail,aslongas you're tryinghard.Butthere'snothingworse thanregret.
WILL
Youdon'tregretmeetin'yourwife?
SEAN
Why?BecauseofthepainI feelnow?I haveregretsWill,butIdon'tregreta singeldayIspentwith her.
WILL
Whendidyouknow shewasthe one?
SEAN
October21,1975.Gamesixof theWorld Series.BiggestgameinRedSoxhistory, Meandmy friendssleptoutonthe

weresittingina barwaitingforthe gametostartand inwalksthisgirl. Whatagame thatwas.Tiegamein the bottomofthetenthinning,insteps CarltonFisk,hitalongfly balldown theleftfieldline.Thirty-five thousandfansontheirfeet,screamin' attheball tostayfair.Fiskis runnin'upthebaseline,wavin'atthe balllikea madman.Ithitsthefoul pole,homerun.Thirty-fivethousand peoplewentcrazy.AndIwasn'tone of them.

WILL
Wherewereyou?
SEAN
Iwas havin'adrinkwithmy future wife.
WILL
YoumissedPudgeFisk'shomeruntohave adrinkwitha womanyouhad nevermet?
SEAN
That'sright.
WILL
Sowaita minute.TheRedSox haven't wona WorldSeriessincenineteen eighteen,yousleptoutfortickets, gamesgonnastartintwentyminutes,in walksagirlyou neverseenbefore,and yougiveyourticketaway?
SEAN
Youshouldhaveseenthisgirl.She lit uptheroom.
WILL
Idon'tcareif HelenofTroy walked intothatbar!That'sgamesixof the WorldSeries!

Seansmiles.

WILL(cont'd)
Andwhatkindof friendsarethese?They letyouget awaywiththat?
SEAN
Ijustslid myticketacrossthetable andsaid"sorryfellas,Igottago see aboutagirl."
WILL
"Igottago seeabouta girl"?Whatdid theysay?
SEAN
TheycouldseethatI meantit.
WILL
You'rekiddin'me.
SEAN
NoWill,I'mnot kiddin'you.IfI had gonetosee thatgameI'dbe inhere talkin'aboutagirlIsawat a bar twentyyearsago.AndhowI always regrettednotgoin'overthereand talkin'toher.I don'tregretthe eighteenyearsweweremarried.Idon't regretgivin'upcouselingforsixyears whenshegotsick.I don'tregretbeing byherside forthelasttwo yearswhen thingsgotrealbad.AndI sureas Hell don'tregretmissingthatdamngame.

Abeat.Will isimpressed.

WILL
Wouldhavebeenniceto catchthatgame though.
SEAN
(breaking)
Wellhell,Ididn'tknowPudgewas gonna hitthehomerun.

Theylaugh.

TIMEDISSOLVETO:

INTLAMBEAU'SOFFICE--DAY

Theofficeismore crowdedthanusual.TOMandTHREEof LAMBEAU'SCOLLEAGUESincludingtheesteemedALEXANDERPEKECare inthe room.Willsitsata work-stationwhichprojectsaproof ofhis [Will's]ontothechalkboard.Lambeaustandsbesidethe

projectedimageattheboardarguingwithPekec,aforeign mathematician.TheimageisofaRamsesgraphbinarytree.

LAMBEAU
Alexander,Iknowyourtheory.Theboy isupdating,he'sstrategystealing...
PEKEC
WithaRamsesgraphon thebinarytree--
LAMBEAU
--Butwhathe'sdoing,he'sattachingan edgetothe adjacentvertex.Hecan alwaysfailsafetoeitherside--
PEKEC
Makercan.Thisisnot new,Gerry!

PekecstartswritinglinesbesideWill'sproofontheboard.

PEKEC(cont'd)
--butIcan alwaysgarbageout(writes frantically)Allthewayto"N"to the minusone.
LAMBEAU
No,there'salimit.
PEKEC
Thelimitisnot found!
(turnsto Will)
Thelimitisnot found.
WILL
ButI canalwaysgoto theotherside.
PEKEC
Thereisno proof--

Lambeaucannolongercontainhimself.

LAMBEAU
--Makerbuilds"K"tothe"N."N is threetotheK times--
PEKEC
--But--
WILL
Look,Iwroteit down.

Theyturnto Willwhoplaceshisproofon theprojector.The imageiscastover theirfaces.Itreads:

AsPekecreadsand therealizationdawnsonhim:

WILL(cont'd)
It'sjustsimplerthisway.

LambeauturnswithsatisfactiontoanunderstandingPekec.

LAMBEAU
Alexander,yourtheoryischanged.
CUTTO:
71

INT.SKYLAR'SROOM--NIGHT

WillandSkylarin herroom,postcoital.Theyarewrappedina sheet.Willisabsent-mindedlyplayingthememorygameSIMON. Thepatterngrowsincreasinglycomplex.Afterabeat:

SKYLAR
Whydowe alwaysstayhere?
WILL
'Causeit'snicerthanmyplace.
SKYLAR
I'veneverseenyourplace.
WILL
Exactly.
SKYLAR
Whataboutyourfriends?Oryour brothers?WhendoIget tomeetthem?
WILL
Theydon'tcomeoverherethatmuch.
SKYLAR
IthinkI canmakeit toSouthBoston.
WILL
Aah,it'skindof ahike.
SKYLAR
Isit meyou'rehidingfromthemor the otherwayaround?
WILL
Allright,allright.We'llgo.
SKYLAR
When?
WILL
Sometime.Idon'tknow.Nextweek.
SKYLAR
WhatifI saidI wouldn'tsleepwithyou againuntilyouletme meetyour friends?
WILL
I'dsay...
(reachesforphone)
It'sonlyfourin themornin',they're prob'lyup.

Shelaughs.Stopshim.

SKYLAR
Youmenare shameful.Ifyou'renot thinkingofyourweinerthenyou're actingonitsbehalf.
WILL
Thenonbehalfof myweiner,I'dliketo askforan advance.
CUTTO:
72

INT.L STREETBAR&GRILLE-- LATER

SkylarandWillsittogetheralongwithWill'sgang.Theboys areconsiderablydrunk,butitmakesforgoodentertainment. EveryonehereishavingfunincludingSylar.

MORGAN
Will,Ican'tbelieveyoubroughtSkylar herewhenwe'reallwrecked.What'sshe gonnathinkaboutus?
WILL
Yeah,Morgan.It'sarealraritythat we'dbeout drinkin'.
BILLY
I'vebeenshitfacedforlike twoweeks.
MORGAN
Ohgreat,tellherthat!Now shereally thinkswe'reproblemdrinkers!
CHUCKIE
Twoweeks?That'snothin'.MyUncle Marty?Willknowshim.Thatguyfuckin' drinkslikeyou'veneverseen!Onenight hewasdrivin'backto hishouseon I- 93--Statiepullshimover.
ALL
Ohshit.
CHUCKIE
Guy'stryin'towalktheline--buthe can'tevenfuckin'standup,andso my uncle'sgonnaspendanightinjail. Justthenthere'sthisfuckin'BOOMlike fiftyyardsdowntheroad.Someguy's carhita tree.
MORGAN
Someotherguy?
CHUCKIE
Yeah,hewasprobablydrunkerthanmy Uncle,whofuckin'knows?Sothecop goes"Stayhere"Andhe goesrunnin' downthehighwaytodealwith theother crash.So,myUncleMarty'sstandin'on thesideof theroadfora littlewhile, andhe'sso fuckin'lit,thatheforgets whathe'swaitin'for.Sohe goes,"Fuck it."Hegetsin hiscar anddriveshome.
MORGAN
Holyshit.
CHUCKIE
Soin themorning,there'saknockon thedoorit'sthe Statie.SomyUncle's like,"Istherea problem?"Andthe Statie'slike"Ipulledyouoverandyou tookoff."Andmy Uncle'slike"Inever seenyoubeforeinmy life,I beenhome allnightwithmy kids."AndStatie's like"Letmeget inyourgarage!"So he'slike"Allright,fine."Hetakes aroundthegarageandopensthedoor-- andtheStatie'scruiserisinmy Uncle'sgarage.
ALL
Noway!You'rekiddin'!
CHUCKIE
No,hewas sohammeredthathedrovethe policecruiserhome.Fuckin'lightsand everything!
MORGAN
DidyourUnclegetarrested?
CHUCKIE
Thefuckin'Trooperwassoembarrassed hedidn'tdoanything.Thefuckin'guy hadbeendrivin'aroundinmy Uncle's carallnightlookin'forthe house.

Everyoneislaughing.Skylarspeaksabovethedin.

SKYLAR
TherewasthisIrishguy,walkingdown thebeachoneday.

Shehaseveryone'sattention.Willisnervous.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Andhecomesacrossa bottle,andthis Geniepopsout.Thegenieturnsto the Irishmanandsays--"You'vereleasedme frommyprison,soI'll grantyouthree wishes."TheIrishguythinksfora minuteandsays"WhatI reallywantisa pintofGuinessthatneverempties." And--POOF!Abottleappears.Heslamsit down,and--loandbehold--itfills backupagain.

C/Uof Will.Hopingthejokepansout.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Well,theIrishguycan'tbelieveit.He drinksitagain,andagain--BOOM!It fillsbackup.So,whilethe Irishguy ismarvelingathisgoodfortune,The Genieisgettingimpatient,becauseit's hotandhe wantstoget onwithhis freedom.Hesays"Let'sgo,youhavetwo morewishes."TheIrishguyslamshis drinkagain,itfillsbackup,he's stillamazed.TheGeniecan'ttakeit anymore.Hesays"Buddy,I'mboilingout here.Whatareyourothertwo wishes?"
(beat)
TheIrishguylooksat hisdrink,looks attheGenieand says..."IguessI'll havetwomoreof these."

Thegangeruptswithlaughter.

CHUCKIE
It'sagood thingnoone'sIrishhere.
MORGAN
I'mIrish.

Chuckie,WilllookatMorgan,baffled.

73

EXT.L STREETBAR&GRILLE-- LATER

Everyoneiswalkingout,sayinggood-bye.Chuckiegoesoverto WillandSkylar.

CHUCKIE
I'mgladyoucame by,changedmyopinion ofHarvardpeople.
SKYLAR
Seeya'Chuckie.Ihad fun.

ChuckieheadstowardsWilltosaygoodnight.

WILL
Idon'tknowwhat thefuckyou'redoin'. You'regivin'usaride.
CHUCKIE
WhatdoI looklike,Al Cowlins?
(seriously)
Youwantto takemycar,drop heroff?
WILL
Iwas countin'onit.
MORGAN
Chuck,let'sgo.
CHUCKIE
You'rewalkin'bitch,Will'stakin'the car.

indifferentshrug.

WILL
Thanks,Chuck.
CHUCKIE
Don'tgettooslap-happy,you'retakin' mehomefirst.
WILL
Idon'tknow,Chuck.It'skindaoutta theway.
CHUCKIE
Just'causeyoudon'thaveto sleepin theoneroompalace,don'tstart thinkin'you'rebad.
SKYLAR
(toWill)
Ithoughtyousaidyou'dshow meyour place.
WILL
Nottonight.
CHUCKIE
Yeah,nottonight.Notanyothernight. Heknows,onceyousee thatshit-hole he'sgettin'droppedlikeabadhabit.
SKYLAR
Iwantedto meetyourbrothers...

ChuckiegivesWillacuriouslook.

WILL
They'reallsleepin'now.
(a beat,toChuckie)
Letmeget thosekeys.
CUTTO:
74

INT.FACULTYCLUB--NIGHT

adrinkand surroundedbyseveralRECRUITERS.Apparentlyhe's thestarof theshow.

RECRUITER#1 WhatIwant toknow,Gerry,iswhen we gettomeet thiswonder-boy.

LAMBEAU
We'restillworkingtogether,theboy's alittlerough.

RECRUITER#2 We'vegotourshareof eccentric

dealwiththat.

RECRUITER#3 Ithinkwe alldo.

Laughter.

RECRUITER#1 Ifyou'renotexaggerating,Gerry--

LAMBEAU
WasI exaggeratinginnineteeneighty- fourwhenI toldyouI'dwin theField's medalwithintwoyears?

Morelaughter.

RECRUITER#1 Inthatcasethe boycouldrunshipping forus,routing--

RECRUITER#2 Yousayhe doesn'thaveadiploma,but we'll—

RECRUITER#1 Idon'tneedto seea driver'slicense. Ican thinkofthreedepartmentsright nowthathe couldheadupfor us.

LAMBEAU
Atease,gentlemen.We'relooking carefullyatallouroptions.

RECRUITER#3 Allright,Gerry.Closetothevest. (giveshimhis card) Goodluckwiththesevultures.

Hewalksoff.

CUTTO:
75

INT.TIMMY'STAP--DAY

Timmy'sTapisa localwateringhole,notunliketheL Street Bar.Seanis atthebar, tellingajoketo TIMMY(45)theowner ofthe place,andseveralotherREGULARS.

SEAN
Soshegoes runnin'uptheaisleandI figure"fuckit"andI yellout"don't forgetthecoffee!

Themeneruptin laughter.MARTY,oneoftheregularspipeup.

MARTY
Bullshit!Youdidn'tsaythat!

TimmyandSeanexchangealook.

TIMMY
JesusChrist,Marty.It'sajoke.

Lambeauenters,abitoverdressedinhissportcoatandtie.

SEAN
Gerry!Anytroublefindingtheplace?
LAMBEAU
Notatall.
SEAN
TimmythisisGerry,an oldfriendof mine.Wewentto collegetogether.
TIMMY
Goodtomeetyou.
LAMBEAU
Pleasuretomeetyou.
SEAN
Couldwegeta coupleofsandwhiches?
(beat,smiles)
Putiton mytab.

Seanheadstowardsatable.

TIMMY
Youeverplanon payin'yourtab?
SEAN
(pullsoutlotteryticket)
Igot thewinningnumbersrighthere.
TIMMY
What'sthejackpot?
SEAN
Twelvemillion.
TIMMY
Idon'tthinkthat'llcoverit.

Lambeaufollows[Sean].Theysit.

LAMBEAU
You'reherequiteabit,then.
SEAN
Iliverightaroundthe corner.
LAMBEAU
Youmoved?
SEAN
Ibeenhere acoupleyears.

Thereisan awkwardmoment.

SEAN(cont'd)
YouwantedtotalkaboutWill?
LAMBEAU
Seemslikeit'sgoingwell.
SEAN
Ithinkso.
LAMBEAU
Well,haveyoutalkedtohim atall abouthisfuture?
SEAN
Wehaven'treallygottenintoit.
LAMBEAU
Maybeyoushould.Myphone'sbeen ringingoffthehookwithjob offers.
SEAN
Jobsdoingwhat?
LAMBEAU
Cuttingedgemathematics.Thinktanks. Thekindof placewhereamindlike Will'sisgivenfreereign.

SEAN

That'sgreat,Gerry,thatthere'sinterest--ButI'mnotsurehe'sreadyfor

that.

LAMBEAU
Sean,Ireallydon'tthinkyou understand--
SEAN
Whatdon'tIunderstand?

Timmycomesoverwiththesandwhiches.

SEAN(cont'd)
Thanks,Timmy.
LAMBEAU
Excuseme,Timmy.Couldyouhelpus? We'retryingtosettleabet.
TIMMY
Uh-oh.
LAMBEAU
Haveyouheardof JonasSalk?
TIMMY
Yeah,curedpolio.
LAMBEAU
You'veheardofAlbertEinstein?

Timmysmiles.Giveshimalook.

LAMBEAU
HowaboutGeraldLambeau?Everheardof him?
TIMMY
No.
LAMBEAU
Okaythankyou,Timmy.
TIMMY
Sowhowon thebet?
LAMBEAU
Idid.

Abeat.Timmyleaves.

LAMBEAU
Thisisn'taboutme.I'mnothing comparedtothisyoungman.
(beat)
Sean,in1905therewerehundredsof Professorswhowererenownedfortheir studyoftheuniverse.Butit wasa 26- year-oldSwissPatentclerk,doing physicsinhissparetime,whochanged theworld,Sean.Canyou imagineif Einsteinhadgiventhatup?Orgotten drunkwithhisbuddiesinViennaevery night?Allofus wouldhavelost something.AndI'mquitesureTimmy neverwouldhaveheardofhim.
SEAN
Isn'tthatalittledramatic,Gerry?
LAMBEAU
No,Sean.Thisboyhas thatgift.He justhasn'tgotthedirection.Wecan givethattohim.

Abeat.

SEAN
Hemarriedhiscousin.
LAMBEAU
Who?
SEAN
Einstein.Hadtwomarriages,bothtrain- wrecks.Theguyneversawhis kids,one ofwhom,I think,endedupin anasylum- -

--possibleUnabomberaddition--

LAMBEAU
Yousee,Sean?That'sexactlynotthe point.Nooneremembersthat.They--
SEAN
Ido.
LAMBEAU
Well,you'retheonlyone.

Beat.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Thisboycanmake contributionstothe world.Wecanhelphim dothat.
SEAN
Just...takeiteasy,Gerry.
LAMBEAU
Look,Idon'tknowwhat elseIcan say. I'mnotsittingathome everynight, twistingmymustacheandhatchingaplan toruinthe boy'slife.Butit's

advancedmathematicsateighteenandit stilltookmetwenty-threeyearstodo somethingworthyofaField'smedal.

SEAN
Maybehedoesn'tcareaboutthat.

Abeat.

LAMBEAU
Sean,thisisimportant.Andit'sabove personalrivalry--
SEAN
Nowwaita minute,Gerry--
LAMBEAU
--No,noyouhear meout,Sean.This youngmanisa trueprodigy--
SEAN
--Personalrivalry?I'mnotgettingback atyou.
LAMBEAU
Look,youtookoneroad andI took another.That'sfine.
SEAN
Isit Gerry?'CauseIdon'tthinkit's finewithyou.Givehim timetofigure outwhathe wants.
LAMBEAU
That'sawonderfultheory,Sean.It workedwondersforyou.

Abeat.Lambeaugetsup.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Sean,Icamehere todayoutofcourtesy. Iwantedto keepyouin theloop.Aswe speaktheboyis ina meetingIset up forhimoverat Tri-tech.
CUTTO:
76

INT.TRI-TECHLABORATORIES,OFFICE--SAME

ThreewelldressedTRI-TECHEXECUTIVESsitaroundaconference table,whichislitteredwithpromotionalbrochures.The executivesexchangeaconfusedlook.Oneofthemspeaks.

EXECUTIVE
(tentative)
Well,Will,I'mnotexactlysurewhat youmean,we'vealreadyofferedyoua position..

Cutto reveal:Chuckiesittingacrossfromtheexecutives,hair combeddown,wearinghisSundaybest.

CHUCKIE
Sincethisisobviouslynotmyfirst timeinsuchaltercations,letmesay this:

Chuckierubsthetipsof hisfingerstogether,indicating "cash."Theexecutivesarebaffled.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Look,wecando thistheeasy wayorthe hardway.

Theexecutivesarecompletelyblank.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
AtthecurrenttimeI amlookingat a numberofdifferentfieldsfromwhichto disseminatewhichofferismostpursuant aidtomy benefit.
(a beat)
Whatdoyou want?WhatdoI want?What doesanybodywant?Leniency.
EXECUTIVE
I'mnotsure--
CHUCKIE
--Thesecircumstancesaremitigated. Rightnow.They'remitigated.

Chuckieputshishandsup,as ifgettinga vibefromtheroom.

EXECUTIVE
Okay...

Chuckiepointstothethirdexecutive.

CHUCKIE
HeknowswhatI'm talkingabout.

Thethirdexecutiveisbaffled.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)

findsomeonewhodoes,youhavemy blessin'.ButIthinkweall knowthat personisn'tgoingtorepresentyouas wellasI can.

EXECUTIVE
Will,ourofferstartsyouat eighty- fourthousandayear,plusbenefits.
CHUCKIE
Retainer...
EXECUTIVE
Youwantus togiveyou cashrightnow?
CHUCKIE
Allegedly,whatIamsayingisyour situationwillbeconcurrentlyimproved ifI hadtwohundredsheetsinmy pocket rightnow.

Theexecutivesexchangelooksandgofortheirwallets.

EXECUTIVE
Idon'tthinkI...Larry?
EXECUTIVE
Ihaveaboutseventy-three...
EXECUTIVE
Willyoutakea check?
CHUCKIE
Comenow...whatdoyouthinkIam, a juvinile?Youdon'tgotanymoneyonyou rightnow.YouthinkI'mgonnatake a check?
EXECUTIVE
It'sfine,John,Ican covertherest.
CHUCKIE
That'sright,youknow.
(turnsto#1)
Heknows.

Chuckiestandsupandtakesthemoney.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
(toexec#1)
You'resuspect.Idon'tknowwhatyour reputationis,butaftertheshityou triedtopulltoday,youcan betI'llbe

wanttohavewith meheretofore,youcan havewithmyattourney.Gentlemen,keep yourearstothe grindstone.

CUTTO:
77

EXT.AUBON PAINCOURTYARD,HARVARDSQUARE--DAY

WillandSkylarsitin theopencourtyardofthisHarvardSquare eatery.SkylarisworkingonanotherO-chemlab.Willsits acrossfromher,slightlyboredwatchingherwork.

WILL
How'sitgoin'?
SKYLAR
Fine.
WILL
Wantmeto takea look?
SKYLAR
No.
WILL
C'mon,givemea peekandwe'llgo to thebattin'cages.
SKYLAR
It'simportantthatIlearnthis.
WILL
Whyisit importanttoyou?IfI inheritedallthatmoney,theonlything importanttomewouldbeworkin'on my swing.
SKYLAR
Clearly.
WILL
You'rerich.Whatdoyouhave toworry about?
SKYLAR
Rich?Ihavean inheritance.It'stwo handredandfiftythousanddollars. That'sexactlywhatit'llcostme,minus aboutfivehundredbucks,togoall the waythroughmedschool.ThisiswhatI'm doingwiththatmoney.Icouldhave done

mywardrobe,substantially.

WILL
Insteadyou'regoingtobustyourass forfiveyearsso youcanbe broke?
SKYLAR
No,soI canbe a doctor.

Abeat.Will nods.Shelooksdown,thenup.

SKYLAR
Allright,Mr.NoseyParker.Letme ask youa question?Doyouhavea photographicmemory?
WILL
Iguess.I don'tknow.Howdo you rememberyourphonenumber?
SKYLAR
HaveyoueverstudiedOrganicChemistry?
WILL
Some,alittle.
SKYLAR
Justforfun?
WILL
Iguessso.
SKYLAR
Nobodydoesorganicchemistryfor"fun." It'sunnecessary.Especiallyforsomeone likeyou.
WILL
Likeme?

SKYLAR

time,fairlyevenly,betweenthebatting cagesandbars.

Willlaughs.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Howdidyou dothat?I can't...Imean eventhesmartestpeopleIknow,andwe dohavea fewat Harvard,havetostudy- -a lot.It'shard.
(beat)
Listen,Will,ifyoudon'twantto tell me--
WILL
Doyouplay thepiano?
SKYLAR
ComeoneWill.I justwantto know.
WILL
I'mtryingtoexplainitto you.So you playthepiano.Whenyoulook atthe keys,youseemusic,yousee Mozart.
SKYLAR
Isee "HotCrossBuns,"butokay.
WILL
Wellallright,Beethoven.Helookedat apianoand sawmusic.Thefuckin'guy wasdeafwhenhe composedtheOdeto Joy.Theyhadto turnhimaroundto take abow becausehecouldn'thearthecrowd

sawallof thatmusicinhis head.

SKYLAR
So,doyou playthepiano?
WILL
Nota lick.Ilookat a pianoandI see blackandwhitekeys,threepedalsanda boxofwood.Beethoven,Mozart,they lookedatitand itjustmade senseto them.Theysawa pianoandtheycould play.Icouldn'tpaintyoua picture,I probablycan'thittheballoutof FenwayParkandI can'tplaythepiano--
SKYLAR
--Butyoucando myO-chemlabin under anhour,youcan--
WILL
--Whenitcameto stufflikethatI couldalwaysjustplay.

SkylarisawestruckwithadmirationforWill,theRobot-pimp.So muchsothat Skylarhastokisshim, thenpushhimaway.

SKYLAR
Ican'tbelieveit'stakenme fouryears tomeetyou andI'mgoingto California intwomonths,Will.
(beat)
Haveyoueverbeento California?Ibet you'dlikeit.

Willfreezes.Abeat.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Maybenot.
CUTTO:
78

INT.CHUCKIE'SAPARTMENT--DAY

Chuckiesitsonhiscouch,watchingcartoonsinhisboxersanda tee-shirt,eatingcereal.Thedoorbellrings.Hesits.

CHUCKIE
Getit,ma!

Shedoesn't.Hegetsup. Opensdoor.It'sSkylar.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
(surprised)
Hey.
SKYLAR
Hi.
CHUCKIE
Howyoudoin'?
SKYLAR
Good.

Anawkwardbeat.

CHUCKIE
How'dyouknowwhereto findme?
SKYLAR
(smiles)
Youweretheonly Sullivaninthephone book.

Chuckiesmiles.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
WillandI droppedyouoffhere, remember?
CHUCKIE
Oh,right.
SKYLAR
Thisisyourhouse,right?

Chuckienodsandisaboutto respondwhenheis interruptedbya naggingshriekfromhismom.

CHUCKIE'SMOM(O.S.)
Getinhere,Chuckie!
CHUCKIE
(callingback)
Pipedown,Ma!
SKYLAR
Iguessso.
CHUCKIE
What?No.Thisis mymother'shouse.I don'tlivewithmymother.I juststop by,helpout.I'm goodlikethat.
SKYLAR
Isthisa badtime?
CHUCKIE
She'lllive.
(beat)
IfshestartsyellingagainI mighthave torunin realquickandbeat herwith thestickagainbut...
SKYLAR
Okay.
CHUCKIE
Let'stakeawalk.
79

EXT.CHUCKIE'SSTREET--DAY

Chuckie,stillinhisboxerswalkswithSkylarwhois talking.

SKYLAR
See,nowthisdoesn'tfeelright.
(beat)
WhenImade thedecisiontocomeover hereitfeltright.I hadall these rationalizations...Ijustdon't understandwhyWillnevertellsme anything,hewon'tletmeget closeto him,hetellsme theseweirdlies--
CHUCKIE
Youcaughtthat,huh?
SKYLAR
Ijustwantedto findoutwhatwas going on...ButnowthatI'mhereit seems strange,doesn'tit?
CHUCKIE
Well,Idon'thaveno trouserson...

Shelaughs.Abeat.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Iknowwhy you'rehere.Willdon'ttalk much.
SKYLAR
Idon'tcarewhat hisfamily'slikeor ifhe doesn'thaveanybrothers,buthe doesn'thavetolieto me.
CHUCKIE
Ireallydon'tknowwhatto say.Look,I lietowomenall thetime.That'sjust myway.
(beat)
LastweekMorganbroughtthesegirls downfromRoslindale.ItoldthemI was

Will'snotusuallylikethat--

MAN ONPORCH
Putsomeclotheson,Sullivan!
CHUCKIE
Takeiteasyfather!

Shelaughs.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
AllI cansayis; IknownWilla long time--AndIseen himwitheverygirl he'severbeenwith.ButI've neverseen himlikethisbefore,everwithanyone, likehowhe iswithyou.
SKYLAR
Isthattrue?
CHUCKIE
Yeah,itis.
CUTTO:
80

INT.LAMBEAU'SOFFICE--DAY

TomandWill aresittingwaitingforLambeau.

TOM
!!!!
WILL
!!!!

LambeauentersgoingoverathickproofWillhas completed.

LAMBEAU
Thisiscorrect.Isee youusedMclullen here--
WILL
Idon'tknowwhat it'scalled.
LAMBEAU
--Thiscan'tberight.
(examiningproof)
Thisisgoingto beveryembarrassing. Haveyoueverconsidered--
WILL
I'mprettysureit'sright.

Willgetsup toleave.

WILL
(turningback)
CanI askyoua favor,canwe dothisat Sean'sfromnowon?'CauseI leavework tocomehereand thefuckin'commuteis killin'me--
LAMBEAU
That'sfine,butdidyouever think--
WILL
It'sright.
(abeat,headingout)
Takeithomewith you.
LAMBEAU
Will,whathappenedattheTri-tech meeting?
WILL
Icouldn'tgo'causeI hada date.SoI sentmycheifnegotiator.
LAMBEAU
Will,onyourown time,youcando what youlike.WhenI setup ameeting,with myassociates,andyoudon'tshowupit reflectspoorlyonme.
WILL
Thendon'tsetup anymoremeetings.
LAMBEAU
I'llcanceleverymeetingrightnow. I'llgiveyoua jobmyself.I just wantedyoutosee whatwasoutthere.
WILL
--MaybeIdon'twantto spendmylife sittin'aroundandexplainingshitto people.
LAMBEAU
Theleastyoucan dois showmea little appreciation.
WILL
(indicatesproof)
--Youknowhowfuckin'easythisis to me?Thisis ajoke!
(crumplesproof)
AndI'msorryyou can'tdothis.I reallyam.'CauseifyoucouldI wouldn'tbeforcedtowatchyoufumble aroundandfuckitup.
LAMBEAU
Sure,thenyou'dhavemoretimeto sit aroundandgetdrunk.Thinkofhow many fightsyoucouldhavebeenin bynow.

Willturnsaroundrevelingthathe'slitthePROOFON FIRE.Will dropsiton thefloor.Lambeaudropstohiskneesand putsit out.Helooksup atWill.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
You'reright,Will.Ican'tdothat proofandyoucan.And whenitcomesto thisthereareonlytwentypeopleinthe worldthatcantellthe difference betweenyouandme.But I'moneof them.
WILL
Well,I'msorry.
LAMBEAU
Soam I.
(beat)
Yes.That'sright,Will.MostdaysI wishInevermet you.BecausethenI couldsleepatnight.I wouldn'thaveto walkaroundwiththeknowledgethat someonelikeyouwasoutthere.And I wouldn'thavetowatchyouthrowit all away.

Lambeaugathershiscomposureandcalmlywalksovertothe wrinkledproof.Hepicksitup,smoothsit out.

CUTTO:
81

INT.SKYLAR'SROOM--NIGHT

WillandSkylarliein bed.SkylarwatchesWillsleep.Shegets upand goestothe fridge.Returningtothebed:

SKYLAR
Will?Areyouawake?
WILL
No.
SKYLAR
Comewithmeto California.
WILL
What?
SKYLAR
Iwantyou tocomewith me.
WILL
Howdoyou knowthat?
SKYLAR
Iknow.I justdo.
WILL
Yeah,buthowdo youknow?
SKYLAR
Idon'tknow.I justfeelit.
WILL
Andyou'resureaboutthat?
SKYLAR
Yeah,I'msure.
WILL
'Causethat'saseriousthingyou're sayin'.Imean,wemightbe in Californianextweekandyoucouldfind outsomethin'aboutmethatyoudon't like.Andyoumightfeellike "heythis isa bigmistake."
(gettingupset)
Butyoucan'ttakeit back,'causeyou knowit'srealseriousandyoucan't takesomethin'likethatback.NowI'm inCalifornia,'causeyouaskedmeto come.Butyoudon'treallywantme there.AndI'mstuckin Californiawith someonewhoreallydoesn'twantmethere andjustwishestheyhada take-back.
SKYLAR
"Take-back?"Whatisthat?Idon'twant atake-back.Iwantyou tocometo Californiawithme.
WILL
Ican'tgo outto California.
SKYLAR
Whynot?
WILL
One,becauseIhavea jobhereand two becauseIlivehere--
SKYLAR
(beat)
Look,Willifyou'renotin lovewith me,youcan saythat.
WILL
I'mnotsayin'I'mnot inlovewith you.
SKYLAR
Thenwhatareyou afraidof?
WILL
Whatdoyou mean"WhatamI afraidof?"
SKYLAR
Whywon'tyoucomewith me?Whatareyou soscaredof?
WILL
WhatamI scaredof?
SKYLAR
Well,whataren'tyouscaredof?You liveinyoursafe littleworldwhere nobodychallengesyouandyou'rescared shitlesstodoanythingelse--
WILL
--Don'ttellmeaboutmyworld.You're theonethat'safraid.Youjustwantto haveyourlittleflingwiththeguy from theothersideof townandmarry--
SKYLAR
Isthatwhatyou think--
WILL
--someprickfromStanfordthatyour parentswillapproveof.Thenyou'llsit aroundwiththerestof theuppercrust kidsandtalkabouthow youwent slummin'too.
SKYLAR
IinheritedthatmoneywhenI was thirteen,whenmyfatherdied.
WILL
Atleastyouhave amother.
SKYLAR
Fuckyou!YouthinkI wantthis?That money'saburdentome. EverydayI wake upandI wishI couldgivethatback. I'dgiveeverythingIhavebackto spend onemoredaywith myfather.Butthat's life.AndI dealwithit.So don'tput thatshitonme. You'retheonethat's afraid.
WILL
Whatthefuckam Iafraidof?!
SKYLAR
You'reafraidofme.You'reafraidthat Iwon'tloveyou back.Andguesswhat? I'mafraidtoo.Butat leastIhave the ballstoit giveita shot.AtleastI'm honestwithyou.
WILL
I'mnothonest?
SKYLAR
Whataboutyourtwelvebrothers?
WILL
Oh,isthat whatthisisabout?You want tohearthatI don'treallyhaveany brothers?ThatI'mafuckin'orphan?Is thatwhatyouwantto hear?
SKYLAR
Yes,Will.Ididn'tevenknow that?
WILL
No,youdon'twantto hearthat.
SKYLAR
Yes,Ido, Will.
WILL
Youdon'twantto hearthatI got cigarettesputoutonmewhen Iwas a littlekid.Thatthisisn'tsurgery

Willliftshisshirt,revealingasixinch SCARonhis torso.

WILL(cont'd)
Youdon'twantto hearthat.Don'ttell meyouwant tohearthatshit!!
SKYLAR
YesI do.Didyou everthinkthatmaybe Icouldhelpyou? Thatmaybethat'sthe point,thatwe'reateam?
WILL
What,youwantto comeinhereand save me?Isthat whatyouwantto do?Do I haveasign thatsays"saveme"on my back?
SKYLAR
Idon'twantto "save"you.I justwant tobe withyou.I loveyou.I loveyou!

Will,fullofself-loathing,raiseshishandtostrikeher.

WILL
Don'tbullshitme!Don'tfuckin' bullshitme!
SKYLAR
(standingupto him)
YouknowwhatI wantto hear?Iwantto hearthatyoudon'tloveme. Ifyou tell methat,thenI'llleaveyou alone.I won'taskanyquestionsandI won'tbe inyourlife.

Abeat.Will looksSkylardeadintheeye. Lowershishand.

WILL
Idon'tloveyou.

Hewalksout.

CUTTO:
82

EXT.SKYLAR'SDORM--NIGHT

Willleavespullingonhisclothes.

CUTTO:
83

INT.NATIONALSECURITYAGENCY,OFFICE--DAY

WillsitsacrossfromtwoN.S.A.AGENTS,OLIVERDYTRESSand ROBERTTAVANO.Theseguysarsmug,cleancut,gung-hoand lookingsharpintwinnavybluesuits.

WILL
Sowhydo youthinkI shouldworkfor theNationalSecurityAgency?
DYTRESS
Well,you'dbeworkingonthe cutting edge.You'dbeexposedtothe kindof technologyyoucouldn'tseeanywhere elsebecausewe'veclassifiedit.Super stringtheory,ChaosMath,Advanced algorithms--
WILL
Codebreaking.
DYTRESS
That'soneaspectofwhatwe do.
WILL
Comeon,that'swhatyoudo. Youhandle morethaneightypercentofthe intelligenceworkload.You'reseven timesthesizeof theC.I.A.
DYTRESS
That'sexactlyright,Will.Sothe questionasIsee itisn't"whyshould youworkforN.S.A."it's"whyshouldn't you?"
WILL
Whyshouldn'tIworkforthe National SecurityAgency?That'satoughone.

Willbiteshistongue,tryingtomakethis work.

CUTTO:
84

INT.CHUCKIE'SHOUSE--DAY

Chuckie,Billy,andWillsitinthe Sullivankitchen.Billy cracksopenabeer andChuckiereadsthesportspage.Bothboys aresmoking.Willdrinksabeer,distractedly.Wehearthefaint

musictrackandsoftmoansof aPORNOMOVIEemanatingfroma backroom.Aftera beat,Chuckielooksup.

CHUCKIE
Morgan,ifyou'rewatchin'pornosinmy mom'sroomagainI'mgonnagiveyou a fuckin'beatin'!

Afterabeat,Morgancomesout oftheback room,red-faced.

MORGAN
(innocently)
What'supguys?
CHUCKIE
Whydon'tyoubeatoff atyourhouse?
MORGAN
Idon'thavea VCRat myhouse.

Willpaysno attentiontothisexchange

CUTTO:
85

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONPAYPHONE-- DAY

Willison payphonetalkingtoSkylar.

WILL
Ijustwantedto callbeforeyouleft.
(beat)
I'mtakin'allthesejobinterviews.So Iwon'tjustbe a constructionworker.
86

INT.SKYLAR'SDORM--DAY

SKYLAR
Inevercaredaboutthat.

Anawkwardbeat.

WILL
Yeah.
SKYLAR
Iloveyou, Will.
(pause)
Notake-backs.

Willsaysnothing.

SKYLAR(cont'd)
Will?

Abeat.

WILL
Takecare.
SKYLAR
Goodbye.

Willhangsup.Holdon himfor anagonizingbeat.

CUTTO:
87

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

Lambeauisscribblingawayatwork.Tomis takingnotes.Willis tappinghisfingers,waitingforhimtofinish.

LAMBEAU
Ican...I'malmostthere.
CUTTO:
88

INT.LOGANAIRPORTTERMINAL--SAME

Skylarstandsatthegate,carry-onsinhand.Herflightis boarding.ShelooksforWilloverthecrowd.

CUTTO:
89

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--SAME

Willpicksupa FRAMEfromSean'sdesk.It isCARLTONFISK'S BASEBALLCARD.Willhastosmile.Lambeaulooksup.

LAMBEAU
Whatareyousmilingat?
WILL
It'saCarltonFiskbaseballcard.

Willcansee thatLambeauwantsmore.

WILL(cont'd)
PudgeFisk.Youfollowbaseball?
LAMBEAU
No.
CUTTO:
90

INT.LOGANAIRPORTTERMINAL--SAME

Thefinalboardingcallisannouncedandthelastpassenger boards.Afterabeat,Skylarturnsandgetson theplane.

CUTBACKTO:
91

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--SAME

Will,holdingthecard,reflectsforabeatand putsitdown.

WILL
Oh,well,it'sjustsomethin'Seantold me.It'sa longstory.

Abeat.

WILL(cont'd)
Youallset?
LAMBEAU
I'vegotthefirstpart.The restI can doat home.

Willgetsup.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Will,theN.S.A.hasbeencallingme justabouteveryhour.They'revery excitedabouthowthemeetingwent.

Lambeauisexcited.Willclearlyisnot.

WILL
Yeah.
CUTTO:
92

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--NIGHT

WillsitsacrossfromSean.

SEAN
Soyoumightbe workingforUncleSam.
WILL
Idon'tknow.
SEAN
Gerrysaysthemeetingwentwell.
WILL
Iguess.
SEAN
Whatdidyouthink?
WILL
WhatdidI think?

Abeat.Will hasobviouslybeenstewingonthis.

WILL(cont'd)
SayI'mworkingatN.S.A.Somebodyputs acodeon mydesk,somethingnobodyelse canbreak.SoI takea shotatit and maybeIbreakit. AndI'mrealhappy withmyself,'causeIdidmy jobwell. Butmaybethatcodewas thelocationof somerebelarmyinNorthAfricaor the

location,theybombthevillagewhere therebelswerehidingandfifteen hundredpeopleIneverhada problem withgetkilled.(rapidfire)Nowthe politiciansaresayin'"sendinthe Marinestosecurethearea"'causethey don'tgiveashit.It won'tbetheirkid overthere,gettin'shot.Justlikeit wasn'tthemwhentheirnumbergot called,'causetheywerepullin'atour intheNationalGuard.It'llbesomeguy fromSouthietakin'shrapnelintheass. Andhecomeshome tofindthatthe plant heusedto workatgot exportedtothe countryhejustgotbackfrom.And the guywhoput theshrapnelinhisass got hisoldjob,'causehe'llworkfor fifteencentsadayand nobathroom

realizestheonlyreasonhewasover therewassowe couldinstalla governmentthatwouldsellusoilata goodprice.Andofcoursethe oil companiesusedtheskirmishtoscareup oilpricessotheycouldturn aquick buck.Acute,littleancillarybenefit forthembutit ain'thelpingmybuddy

they'retakin'theirsweettimebringin' theoilbackand maybeeventookthe libertyofhiringanalcoholicskipper wholikestodrinksevenand sevensand playslalomwiththeicebergsandit ain'ttoolong'tilhe hitsone,spills theoil,andkillsall thesea-lifein theNorthAtlantic.Somybuddy'soutof workandhe can'taffordtodriveso he'sgotto walktothe jobinterviews whichsucks'causetheshrapnelinhis assisgivin'him chronichemorrhoids. Andmeanwhilehe'sstarvin''causeevery timehetriesto geta bitetoeat the onlyblue-platespecialthey'reservin' isNorthAtlanticscrodwithQuaker State.

Abeat.

WILL(cont'd)
Sowhat'dI think?I'mholdin'outfor somethin'better.IfigureI'll

shootmybuddy,takehisjob andgiveit tohisswornenemy,hikeup gasprices, bombavillage,cluba babyseal,hit thehashpipeand jointheNational Guard?Christ,Icouldbeelected President.

SEAN
Doyouthinkyou'realone?
WILL
What?
SEAN
Doyouhave asoul-mate?
WILL
Definethat.
SEAN
Someonewhochallengesyouineveryway. Whotakesyouplaces,opensthingsup foryou.A soul-mate.
WILL
Yeah.

Seanwaits.

WILL(cont'd)
Shakespeare,Neitzche,Frost,O'Connor, Chaucer,Pope,Kant--
SEAN
They'realldead.
WILL
Nottome, they'renot.
SEAN
Butyoucan'tgiveback tothem,Will.
WILL
Notwithoutaheaterandsome serious smellingsalts,no...
SEAN
That'swhatI'msaying,Will.You'll neverhavethatkindof relationshipin aworldwhereyou'reafraidtotake the firststepbecauseallyou'reseeingare thenegativethingsthatmighthappen tenmilesdowntheroad.
WILL
Oh,what?You'regoingtotakethe professor'ssideonthis?
SEAN
Don'tgivemeyou lineofshit.
WILL
Ididn'twantthe job.
SEAN
It'snotaboutthatjob.I'm notsaying youshouldworkforthe government.But,

therearepeoplewhoworktheirwhole liveslayin'bricksotheirkidshavea chanceatthekindof opportunityyou have.Whatdoyou wanttodo?

WILL
Ididn'taskfor this.
SEAN
Nobodygetswhattheyaskfor,Will. That'sacop-out.
WILL
Whyisit a cop-out?Idon'tsee anythin'wrongwithlayin'brick,that's somebody'shomeI'mbuildin'.Orfixin' somebody'scar,somebody'sgonnagetto workthenextday 'causeofme.There's honorinthat.
SEAN
You'reright,Will.Anymanwhotakesa fortyminutetrainridesothosecollege kidscancomein inthe morningand theirfloorswillbecleanandtheir trashcanswillbeemptyis anhonorable man.

Abeat.Will saysnothing.

SEAN(cont'd)
Andwhentheyget drunkandpukein the sink,theydon'thavetosee itthe next morningbecauseofyou.That'sreal work,Will.Andthereishonorin that. WhichI'msureis whyyoutookthe job.

Abeat.

SEAN(cont'd)
Ijustwant toknowwhy youdecidedto sneakaroundatnight,writingon chalkboardsandlyingaboutit.
(beat)
'Causethere'snohonorinthat.

Willissilent.

SEAN(cont'd)
Somethingyouwanttosay?

Seangetsup,goes tothedoor andopensit.

SEAN(cont'd)
Whydon'tyoucomeback whenyouhavean answerforme.
WILL
What?
SEAN
Ifyouwon'tanswermy questions,you're wastingmytime.
WILL
What?

Willlosesit,slamsthe doorshut.

WILL(cont'd)
Fuckyou!

SeanhasfinallygottentoWill.

WILL(cont'd)
Whothefuckare youto lecturemeabout life?Youfuckin'burnout!Where'syour "soul-mate?!"

Seanletsthisplayout. Possible"shepard"change.

WILL(cont'd)
Dead!Shediesandyou justcashin your chips.That'safuckin'cop-out!
SEAN
Ibeenthere.I playedmyhand.
WILL
That'sright.Andyoufuckin'lost!And somepeoplewouldhavethesackto lose abig handlikethatandstillcome back andanteup again!
SEAN
Lookatme. Whatdoyou wanttodo?

Abeat.Will looksup.

SEAN(cont'd)
Youandyourbullshit.Yougotan answer

straightquestionandyoucan'tgiveme astraightanswer.Becauseyoudon't know.

Seangoesto thedoorandopensit. Willwalksout.

CUTTO:
93

INT.MAGGIOREBUILDER'SCONSTRUCTIONSITE--DAY

WillandChuckietakecrowbarstoa wall.Thisiswhat theydo fora living.Astheyroutinelyhammeraway,Willbecomesmore

Willventshisrage.Chuckie,noticing,stopsworkingandtakes astep back,watchingWill.Willisoblivious.

CUTTO:
94

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

LambeauandTomarein hisoffice.Willis nowheretobeseen. Lambeauisonthe phone.

LAMBEAU
WhatImean,Sean,is thatI'msitting inyourofficeandthe boyisn'there.
(beat)
Well,it'stenpastthree.
(beat)
Anhourand tenminuteslate.
(beat)
Well,ifhe doesn'tshowupandI have tofilea reportsayinghewasn'there andhegoes backtojail,i won'tbeon myconscience,Sean.
(beat)
Fine.

Hehangsup. Tompicksupa FORMup offthedesk.

TOM
WhatshouldIdo?
LAMBEAU
Theboywas here.Hecamein, satdown andweworkedtogether.

Ablanklook.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Hecamein, satdown,andwe worked together.
TOM
Okay.

Tomunderstands,beginsfillingouttheform.

CUTTO:
95

EXT.HANRAHAN'SPACKAGESTORE--LATER

Willwalksoutcarryingabrownbag. Heis filthy,havingjust knockedoffwork.

CUTTO:
96

EXT.MAGGIOREBUILDER'SCONSTRUCTIONSITE--PARKINGLOT

Chuckieissittingonthehood ofhisCadillac,watchingWill

startswalkingtowardsChuckie.Ashedrawscloser,heheavesa canof Budweiseragoodthirstyyards,toChuckiewhohandlesit routinely.

Willtakesa seatnexttoChuckieandthey crackopentheir beers.Otherworkersfileoutofthe site.Theydrink.

CHUCKIE
How'sthewoman?
WILL
Gone.
CHUCKIE
What?
WILL
Shewentto Medicalschoolin California.
CHUCKIE
Sorry,brother.
(beat)
Idon'tknowwhat totellya. Youknow allthegirlsI beenwith.Youbeen with 'emtoo,exceptforCherylMcGovern whichwasa bigmistakeonyourpart brother...
WILL
OhI'msure,that'swhy onlyoneof us hasherpes.
CHUCKIE
Someshowsareworththepriceof admission,partner.

Thisgetsa smalllaughfromWill.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Myfuckin'backiskillin'me.

ApassingSHEETMETALWORKERoverhearsthis.

SHEETMETALWORKER
That'swhyyoushould'agonetocollege.
WILL
Fuckyou.
CHUCKIE
Suckmycrank.Fuckin'sheetmetal pussy.
(beat)
So,whenareyou donewiththose meetin's?
WILL
WeekafterI'mtwenty-one.
CHUCKIE
Aretheyhookin'youup withajob?
WILL
Yeah,sitina roomand dolongdivision forthenextfiftyyears.
CHUCKIE
Yah,butit'sbetterthanthisshit.At leastyou'dmakesomenicebank.
WILL
Yeah,bea fuckin'labrat.
CHUCKIE
It'saway outtahere.
WILL
WhatdoI wanta wayouttaherefor?I wanttolivehere therestof mylife.I wanttobe yournextdoorneighbor.I wanttotakeout kidstolittleleague togetherupFoleyField.
CHUCKIE
Look,you'remybestfriend,sodon't takethisthewrongway,but in20 years,ifyou'relivin'nextdoortome, comin'overwatchin'thefuckin' Patriots'gamesandstillworkin' construction,I'llfuckin'killyou.And that'snotathreat,that'sa fact.I'll fuckin'killyou.
WILL
Chuckie,whatareyoutalkin'...
CHUCKIE
Listen,yougotsomethin'thatnoneof ushave.
WILL
Whyisit alwaysthis?Iowe itto myself?WhatifI don'twantto?
CHUCKIE
Fuckyou.Youowe itto me.TomorrowI'm gonnawakeupand I'llbefiftyand I'll stillbedoin'this.Andthat'sall right'causeI'mgonnamakea runatit. Butyou,you'resittin'ona winning lotteryticketandyou'retoomuchofa pussytocashit in.Andthat'sbullshit 'causeI'ddoanythingtohavewhat you got!Andso wouldanyoftheseguys. It'dbea fuckin'insulttousif you're stillhereintwentyyears.
WILL
Youdon'tknowthat.
CHUCKIE
Letmetell youwhatI doknow.Every dayI comebyto pickyouup, andwego outdrinkin'orwhateverandwehavea fewlaughs.Butyouknowwhat thebest partofmy dayis?The tenseconds beforeIknockon thedoor'causeI let myselfthinkImightgetthere,and you'dbegone.I'dknockon thedoorand youwouldn'tbethere.Youjustleft.

Abeat.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Now,Idon'tknow much.ButI knowthat.
CUTTO:
97

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

LambeaustandsacrossfromSean,seething.

LAMBEAU
Thisisa disaster!Ibroughtyouin heretohelpme withthisboy,not to runhimout--
SEAN
Nowwaita minute--
LAMBEAU
--Andconfusehim--
SEAN
--Gerry--
LAMBEAU
--AndhereIam forthe secondweekina rowwithmy professionalreputationat stake--
SEAN
Holdon!
LAMBEAU
--Readytofalsifydocumentsbecause you'vegivenhimlicensetowalkaway fromthis.
SEAN
Iknowwhat I'mdoingandI knowwhyI'm here!
LAMBEAU
LookSean,Idon'tcare ifyouhave a rapportwiththeboy--Idon'tcare if youhavea fewlaughs--evenatmy expense!Butdon'tyoudareundermine whatI'mtryingtodo here.
SEAN
"Undermine?"
LAMBEAU
Hehasa giftand withthatgiftcomes responsibility.Andyoudon'tunderstand thathe'sata fragilepoint--
SEAN
Heis ata fragilepoint.He'sgot problems--
LAMBEAU
Whatproblemsdoeshehave,Sean,that heis betteroffasa janitororin jail orhangingaroundwith--
SEAN
Whydoyou thinkhedoesthat,Gerry?
LAMBEAU
Hecanhandlethe work,hecanhandle thepressureandhe'sobviouslyhandled you.
SEAN
Whyishe hiding?Whyishe a janitor? Whydoesn'thetrustanybody?Because thefirstthingthathappenedtohimwas thathewas abandonedbythepeoplewho weresupposedtolovehimthe most!
LAMBEAU
Oh,comeon,Sean--
SEAN
Andwhydoeshe hangoutwith his friends?Becauseanyoneofthosekids wouldcomeinhereand takea batto yourheadifhe askedthemto.It's calledloyalty!
LAMBEAU
Oh,that'snice--
SEAN
Andwhodo youthinkhe'shandling?He pushespeopleawaybeforetheyhavea chancetoleavehim.Andfor 20years he'sbeenalonebecauseofthat.Andif youtryto pushhimintothis,it's goingtobe thesamethingallover again.AndI'mnotgoingto letthat happentohim!
LAMBEAU
Nowdon'tdothat.Don'tyou dothat! Don'tinfecthimwiththeideathat it's okaytoquit.Thatit's okaytobe a failure,becauseit'snotokay!If you'reangryatmefor beingsuccessful, forbeingwhatyoucouldhave been--
SEAN
--I'mnotangryatyou--
LAMBEAU
--Yesyouare,Sean.Youresentme. And I'mnotgoingto apologizeforany successthatI'vehad.
SEAN
--Idon'thaveanyangerat you--
LAMBEAU
Yesyoudo. You'reangryatmefor doing whatyoucouldhavedone.Ask yourself ifyouwant Willtofeelthat wayfor therestof hislife,tofeel likea failure.
SEAN
That'sit.That'swhyI don'tcometo thegoddamnreunions!BecaueIcan't standthelookin youreyewhenyou see me!YouthinkI'm afailure!Iknow who Iam. I'mproudofwho Iam. Andallof you,youthinkI'msome kindofpity case!Youwithyoursycophantstudents

Medal!

LAMBEAU
--Isthatwhatthisis about,Sean?The Field'sMedal?Doyouwantme togo home andgetit foryou?Thenwill youlet theboy--
SEAN
--Idon'twantyourtrophyandI don't giveashit aboutit!'CauseIknew you when!!YouandJackand TomSanders.I knewyouwhenyou werehomesickand pimply-facedanddidn'tknowwhatside ofthebed topisson!
LAMBEAU
That'sright!Youweresmarterthanus thenandyou'resmarterthanusnow!So don'tblamemeforhow yourlifeturned out.It'snotmy fault.
SEAN
Idon'tblameyou!It's notaboutthat! It'sabouttheboy!'Causehe'sa good kid!AndI won'tseethishappento him- -I won'tseeyou makehimfeellikea failuretoo!
LAMBEAU
Hewon'tbe afailure!
SEAN
Ifyoupush himintosomething,ifyou ridehim--
LAMBEAU
You'rewrong,Sean.I'mwhereIam today

learnedtopushmyself!

SEAN
He'snotyou!

Abeat.Lambeauturns,somethingcatcheshiseye.Seanturnsto look,IT'SWILL.Heis standinginthedoorway.

WILL
Ican comeback.
LAMBEAU
No,that'sfine,Will.Iwas just leaving.

Thereisan awkwardmomentasLambeaugetshiscoatandleaves.

WILL
Well,I'mhere.
(beat)
So,isthat myproblem?I'mafraidof beingabandoned?Thatwaseasy.
SEAN
Look,alot ofthatstuffgoesback a longway.Andit'sbetweenme andhim andithas nothingtodowith you.
WILL
Doyouwant totalkaboutit?

Seansmiles.Abeat.Willsees aFILEon Sean'sdesk.

WILL(cont'd)
What'sthat?
SEAN
Oh,thisis yourfile.Ihave tosendit backtothe Judgewithmyevaluation.
WILL
You'renotgoingtofailme areyou?

Seansmiles.

WILL(cont'd)
Sowhat'sitsay?
SEAN
Youwantto readit?
WILL
No.
(beat)
Haveyouhadany experiencewiththat?
SEAN
Twentyyearsofcounsellingyouseea lotof--
WILL
--No,haveyouhadany experiencewith that?
SEAN
Yes.
WILL
(smiles)
Itsureain'tgood.
98

INT.WILL'SCHILDHOODAPARTMENT--FLASHBACK

Froma child'sP.O.V.weseea man,partiallyobscuredbya doorframe.ThemanturnstowardtheP.O.V.

CUTBACKTO:
99

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

SEAN
(aftera pause)
Mydadused tomakeus walkdownto the parkandcollectthestickshewas going tobeatus with.Actuallytheworstof thebeatingswerebetweenmeandmy

tryingtofindsticksthatwouldbreak.

WILL
Heusedto justputa belt,a stickand awrenchon thekitchentableandsay "choose."
100

INT.WILL'SCHILDHOODAPARTMENT--FLASHBACK

Alarge,callousedhandsetsdowna wrenchnexttoa stick.

CUTBACKTO:
101

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

SEAN
Gottagowiththe beltthere...
WILL
Iusedto gowith thewrench.
SEAN
Thewrench,why?
WILL
Causefuckhim,that'swhy.

Along quietmoment.

WILL(cont'd)
Isthatwhy meandSkylarbrokeup?
SEAN
Ididn'tknowyou had.Doyou wantto talkaboutthat?
(beat)
Idon'tknowa lot,Will.But letme tellyouonething.All thishistory, thisshit...
(indicatesfile)
Lookhere,son.

Will,whohadbeen lookingaway,loosatSean.

SEAN(cont'd)
Thisisnot yourfault.
WILL
(nonchalant)
Oh,I know.
SEAN
It'snotyourfault.
WILL
(smiles)
Iknow.
SEAN
It'snotyourfault.
WILL
Iknow.
SEAN
It'snotyourfault.
WILL
(deadserious)
Iknow.
SEAN
It'snotyourfault.
WILL
Don'tfuckwithme.
SEAN
(comesarounddesk,sitsinfrontof Will)
It'snotyourfault.
WILL
(tearsstart)
Iknow.
SEAN
It'snot...
WILL
(cryinghard)
Iknow,I know...

SeantakesWillin hisarmsandholdshim likea child.Will sobslikea baby.Afteramoment,he wrapshisarmsaroundSean andholdshim,eventighter.Wepull backfromthisimage.Two lonelysoulsbeingfatherandsontogether.

102

INT.REDLINECAR --DUSK

WillridestheRed Line,aboveground.Helooksoutoverthe landscape.Smallbackyards,laundryhangsfromwirelines. Chainlinkfences,overgrownwithweeds.

103

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONPARK--DAY

WillwalkingthroughSouthBoston.Hecutsthroughapark.A seniorcitizenisspearingtrachforthecity.

104

INT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--NIGHT

Willathome.Not reading.Looksupatthe ceiling.

105

EXT.TRI-TECHLABORATORIES--DAY

Willwalksupto a nondescriptbuilding,hewalksthroughthe glassdoors,intothelobby.

CUTTO:
106

INT.TRI-TECHLABORATORIES,RECEPTION--CONTINUOUS

Willwalksintothelobby.A SECURITYGUARDlooksup.

SECURITYGUARD
CanI helpyou?
WILL
Yeah,mynameis WillHunting.I'mhere aboutaposition.
SECURITYGUARD
Onemoment.

Theguardreachesforthephone.

DISSOLVETOBLACK.

FADEUPto thesoundof laughter.

107

INT.L STREETBAR&GRILLE-- DAY

ChuckieisagainregalingWillandtheguysat theirtable.

CHUCKIE
Ohmy God,Igot themostfuckedup thingIbeenmeanin'to tellyou.
MORGAN
Saveitfor yourmother,funnyguy.We hearditbefore.
CHUCKIE
Oh,Morgan.

Theybothgetup, inone another'sface.Thisisaplayfight. "Yougonnastart?""Yougonnapaymy hospitalbills?"

WILL
Sorrytomissthis.
108

INT.L STREET--SAME

Willcomesbackfromthe bathroom.

WILL
(toChuckie)
YouandMorganthrow?
CHUCKIE
No,I hadtotalk himdown.
WILL
Whydidn'tyouyokehim?
CHUCKIE
LittleMorgan'sgotalota scrap,dude. I'dratherfightabig kid,theynever fight,everyone'sscaredof'em.You knowhowmanypeopletryto whip Morgan'sasseveryweek?Fuckin'kid won'tbackdown.
MORGAN
(fromacrossthetable)
What'dyousayaboutme?
CHUCKIE
Shutthefuckup.

Billywalksinthe doorandgiveChuckiea look.Chuckieturns toWill.

CHUCKIE
(ToWill)
Hey,asshole.HappyBirthday.
MORGAN
Youthoughtweforgot,didn'tyou?I knowI'mgettin'mylicksin.

LaughterastheboysconvergeonWill.He goeswillinglyoutthe door.

109

EXT.L STREET--CONTINUOUS

Astheycome outthedoor,ratherthabeatingWillmercilessly, theystop.Morgangoesintohisown, personalrenditionof "DannyBoy."Noonejoinsin.

CHUCKIE
Shutup,Morgan.
(toWill)
Here'syourpresent.

ChuckieindicatesanoldCHEVYNOVA,parkedillegallyinfront ofthe bar.

WILL
You'rekiddin'me.
CHUCKIE
Yeah,Ifigurednowthatyou gotyour bigjoboverin Cambridge,youneeded somewayto getoverthereandI knewI wasn'tgonnadriveyoueveryday...

Laughter.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Morganwantedtogetyoua "T"pass.
MORGAN
NoI didn't...

Willapproachesthecartotakea closerlook.

CHUCKIE
Butyou'retwenty-onenow,so--
BILLY
--Yeah,nowthatyoucandrinklegally, wethoughtthebestthingto getyouwas acar.

Morelaughter.WillinspectstheNova.

WILL
You'rekiddin'me.
(a beat)
Thisisthe ugliestfuckin'carIever seeninmy life.

Laughter,abeat.

WILL(cont'd)
(serious)
Howthefuckdid youguysdo this?
CHUCKIE
MeandBill scrapedtogethertheparts, workedonit.Morganwasout panhandlin' everyday.
MORGAN
Fuckyou,I didthebodywork.Whose fuckin'routeryouthinksandedoutall thatbondo?
CHUCKIE
Guy'sbeenupmy assfortwo yearsabout afuckin'job.I hadto lethimhelp withthecar.
WILL
So,youfinallygota jobMorgan?
MORGAN
Hadone,nowI'm fuckedagain.
WILL
(toChuckie)
Sowhatdo yougot,a fuckin'Hyundai engineunderthere?CanImakeit back tomy house?
CHUCKIE
Fuckyou.I re-builttheenginemyself. Thatthingcouldmakeitto Hawaiiif youwanteditto.

ChuckiegivesWillalook.

CHUCKIE(cont'd)
Happy21,Will.
CUTTO:
110

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

WillsitsacrossfromSean.

SEAN
Whichonedidyou take,Will?
WILL
OveratTri-tech.Oneofthe jobs ProfessorLambeausetmeupwith.I haven'ttoldhimyet,butI talkedto mynewboss overthereandhe seemed likeanice guy.
SEAN
That'swhatyouwant?
WILL
Yeah,Ithinkso.
SEAN
Goodforyou.Congratulations.
WILL
Thanksyou.
(a beat)
So,that'sit?We'redone?
SEAN
We'redone.Youdidyourtime.You'rea freeman.

Abeat.

WILL
Ijustwant youtoknow,Sean...
SEAN
You'reWelcome,Will.
WILL
I'llkeepintouch.
SEAN
I'mgonnatravelalittlebit,so I don'tknowwhereI'llbe.

Willsmiles.

SEAN(cont'd)
Ijust...figuredit'stimeI putmy moneybackonthe table,seewhatkind ofcardsI get.

Willsmiles.Seanhandshima pieceofpaper.

SEAN(cont'd)
I'llbecheckinginwithmy machineat thecollege.Ifyoueverneed anything, justcall.

Seansmiles.

SEAN(cont'd)
Dowhat'sinyour heart,son.You'llbe fine.
WILL
Thanksyou,Sean.

Theyembrace.

SEAN
No.Thankyou.
WILL
(re:embrace)
Doesthisviolatethepatient/doctor relationship?
SEAN
Onlyifyou grabmyass.

Theylaugh.

WILL
Seeya.
SEAN
Goodluck.

Bothmensmile.

CUTTO:
111

INT.HALLWAYOUTSIDESEAN'SOFFICE-MOMENTSLATER

Willcomesoutof Sean'sofficeandseesLambeauwalkingup.

LAMBEAU
(surprised)
Will.
WILL
Hey,howyoudoin'?
LAMBEAU
Youknow,you'renolongerrequiredto comehere.
WILL
Iwas justsayin'goodbyetoSean.
LAMBEAU
(a beat)
Samcalledme.FromTri-tech.Hesays youstartworkingforthemnextweek.

Willnods.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Well,that's,Ithinkthat'sterrific. Congratulations.
WILL
Thankyou.
LAMBEAU
Ijustwant youtoknow...It'sbeena pleasure.
WILL
Bullshit.

Theylaugh.

LAMBEAU
Thisjob...Doit ifit'swhatyou reallywant.
WILL
Iappreciatethat.

Amoment.Willstartsto go,Lambeauwatcheshimfora beat, Willturnsbackaround.

WILL(cont'd)
Hey,Gerry.
LAMBEAU
Yes.
WILL
Listen,I'llbenearbyso,if youneed somehelp,oryou getstuckagain,don't beafraidtogive mea call.
LAMBEAU
(hastosmile)
Thankyou,Will.I'lldothat.

Willsmiles,turnsandwalksaway.

112

INT.SEAN'SOFFICE--DAY

Seanispackinghisoffice.Lambeauopensthedoor.

LAMBEAU
Hello,Sean.
SEAN
Comein.
LAMBEAU
Sean...
SEAN
(a beat)
Metoo.

Amoment.

LAMBEAU
SoI hearyou'retakingsometime.
SEAN
Yeah.Summervacation.ThoughtI'd travelsome.Maybewritealittlebit.
LAMBEAU
Where'reyougoing?
SEAN
Idon'tknow.Indiamaybe.
LAMBEAU
Whythere?
SEAN
Neverbeen.

Lambeaunods.

LAMBEAU
Doyouknow whenyou'llbeback?
SEAN
(picksup aflyerfromhis desk)
Igot thismailertheotherday.Class ofSixty-fiveishavingthiseventin sixmonths.
LAMBEAU
Igot oneofthosetoo.
SEAN
Youshouldcome.I'llbuyyou adrink.

Lambeausmiles.

LAMBEAU
Sean...

Abeat.

LAMBEAU(cont'd)
Thedrinksatthosethingsarefree.

Seansmiles.

SEAN
Hell,Iknowthat.

Bothmenlaugh.

LAMBEAU
Howaboutonenow?
SEAN
Soundsgood.

Theystarttowalk out.

SEAN(cont'd)
It'sonyou though,untileighto'clock tonightwhenIwinmy money.

Seanpullsouthis lotteryticket.Theystartoutdownthehall.

CUTTO:
113

INT.HALLWAY--CONTINUOUS

Ontheirbacksas theywalkdownthe hall.

LAMBEAU
Sean,doyouhave anyideawhatthe odds areagainstwinningthelottery?
SEAN
Idon'tknow...Gottabeat leastfour toone.
LAMBEAU
Aboutthirtymilliontoone.
SEAN
You'reprettyquickwiththosenumbers. Howabouttheoddsof mebuyingthe firstround?
LAMBEAU
Aboutthirtymilliontoone.
CUTTO:
114

EXT.BANKOF THECHARLESRIVER--AFTERNOON

Willsitsalone,thinking.Weholdonhim foran extendedbeat untilhegetsup andwalksaway.

104OMITTED

115

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--EARLYEVENING

Beginfinalsequence.

Awide,establishingshotofSean'sapartmentcomplexasthesun issetting.Thelightsareon inone unit.Atightershot revealsSean,inhisapartment,packinghisbelongingsin cardboardboxes.

116

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT,STREET--SAME

ThecameracranesdownfromSean'swindowandontothe street, wherewepan torevealWill,sittinginhiscar andlookingup

atSeanas hepackshis things.Will'scarispackedfullof clothesandbooks.

117

EXT.SOUTHBOSTONSTREET--SAME

Chuckieandtheboysdrivedownthe streetintheCadillac. MorganandBillyridein theback,leavingtheshotgunseatopen forWill.

118

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--SAME

Willholdsanenvelopewhichheslipsin Sean'smailbox.Heputs theflagup andsmilesashe looksupat Seanin hisapartment whois stillunawarethatWillisthere.

119

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--SAME

Chuckiepullsupinfrontof Will'shouse.Hehonksthehorn, waitsabeat,then getsoutandheadstowardthe house.

120

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--SAME

WilldrivesawayfromSean'shouse.Seanhearsthecar pullout andlooksoutthe window.SeanseesWill'scarpullingaway. Curious,heinvestigates.

121

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--SAME

ChuckiewalksupWill'sfrontsteps.

122

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--SAME

Seanwalksoutto thesidewalkandlooksaround.Seeingthe mailboxflaghasbeenraised,hewalksoverto it.

123

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--SAME

ChuckieknocksonWill'sfrontdoor.Thereisno answer.He waitsabeat,looksin thewindow.Anincreduloussmileslowly startstoform.

124

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--SAME

SeanopensthecardWill leftforhim.It reads:

WILL
(inwriting)
Sean--IftheProfessorcallsaboutthat job,justtellhim,"Sorry,I hadtogo seeabouta girl."
125

EXT.WILL'SAPARTMENT--SAME

Chuckiewalksbacktowardshiscarunabletocontainthebroad smile.HeknowsWillis gone.Heshrugsin explanationtothe guys.MorgantakesWill'sseatastheypullaway fromthecurb.

126

EXT.SEAN'SAPARTMENT--SAME

Wepan upfromthe lettertoSean.A broadsmilecomesoverhim. Thisisa lookwe haven'tseen.Seanistrulyhappy.

127

EXT.MASSACHUSETTSTURNPIKE--SUNSET

Willison theroad,drivingaway.Aswe pullbackand credits roll,thecardisappearsintothehorizon.

THEEND