"TALLADEGA NIGHTS" (2006)

STATS114pages269scenes22,430words37%dialogue102characters

Words

  • dialogue8,26037%
  • action12,81157%
  • other1,3596.1%

Scenes

location
  • INT 63
  • EXT 94
  • UNKNOWN 112
time
  • DAY 29
  • NIGHT 3
  • CONT 30
  • UNKNOWN 207
3

INT . MID-SIXTIES CKEVY - NIGAT, ,.

by WILL FERRELL and ADAM McKAY

OPEN ON: BLACK SCREEN

The quote comes up: "I count him braver who conquers his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.ff --Aristotle, philosopher, 361 B.C.

This quote fades away and another comes up: "Anytime you step on the gas hard you' re gonna have your ups and downs.'' --Ernie "Swervin" Irvan, stock car driver, 1992 .

CLOSE UP ODOMETER - NIGHT

The odometer passes 130 mpn.

We see a woman, ~LQCY BOBBY, 23, in the midst of giving birth in the back s~at. Driving: the car is REESE BOBBY, 26. He is going way too : fast ih a.. gleaming immaculate tricked-out Chevy. N •

4

· · REESE

Whoo-whoo!!! Honey will you look at tha't:·· speedometer ! ! Just look at it!!

LUCY
I am giving birth to your child you jackass!!

They go right by the hospital.

LUCY
You just passed the hospital!!
REESE
Baby, we're going one hundred and thirty-six miles an hou~! Ha, ha, ha!! This car ain't never gone this fast !!!

We hear the cry of a newborn as the speedometer strains to hit 140 mph.

CUT TO:
5

EXT. HOSPITAL - A FEW MINUTES

An ORDERLY , 31, helps Lucy out of the car while a NURSE, 52, stands by holding the newborn .

REESE BOBBY
So are you good? · :· :::-:::::·.:;:::::;.":::.:: :.: :·· ·. . .· . ... LUCY What? : ·• . ••: :_.: · . . ·:,•::::_.:·:•::· REESE You got all this covereci?::.;:Youknow raisin' him, being a momf::•A.Jl \ . ... that?! •, • • · -. ·•:: :: .· LUCY .:. .:.:\ \ :•\ :/\::':·: :·/. Reese Bobby you ::get out of· -:that car right now- · V

Reese floors it and ~~iii~6~; of the hospital driveway.

R~ESE BOBEiY Give . n'le:....a ca 11 when he can ctr i ve !

DISSOLVE TO:
6

EXT. CONVETII.I~N-CE ST,ORE PARKING LOT - SIX YEARS LATER

Lucy Bobby puil,s · up in a wood-paneled station wagon. In the seat next to hei·r is five-year-old Ricky Bobby in a dirty Captain America T-shirt.

FIVE-YEAR- OLD RICKY BOBBY
I wanna go fast! I wanna go fast!
LUCY BOBBY
Ricky, can't you say something else? I know it's hard not having a Daddy but just try and use some other words. Please.

Beat as Lucy waits for Ricky to say something.

FIVE YEAR OLD RICKY BOBBY 1 wanna go fast!

LUCY BOBBY
Alright. l'm gonna run in the store real quick and grab some milk for dinner. You stay put.

She gets out and runs into the store. As soon as she enters we hear the car squeal and tear out of the parking lot.

7

EXT. INTERSECTION - FIVE MINUTES LATER

Tough high school kids in a hot rod listen to loud ·:im,1sic while waiting at a red light. Another car pU:llis-:::•:up,.ne~t to them and revs its engine. · '.::·.'-~---.-:•:::::-::_-·:::::L__

HIGH SCHOOL KID
Hey hotshot, you wanna race?

Driver's side window roles down and: :,~e se~•- five..:.yea.r -old Ricky Bobby. ·: · :-;:-:.

FIVE YEJ>,R. QLD RlCKY:::BOBBY I wanna go fast!• · ··. -·. -::: :: ··

Light turns green and beth ~ars t~ar off the line.

DISSO!..VE TO:

8

INT. FOURTH GRADB CLASSROOM - DAY

9

.

It is Career6ay an~ ~ ~ class of twenty fourth graders are listening_.to a -~ARSNT, :· 35, talking about his job with his DAUGHTER,;·· --~' Iiext·::•.tO him. In the front row is TEN-YE:AR- OLD RICKY. He ~ears bra~es and an ill-fitting, bright, ~range- collared shiit. He . is clearly noc one of the popular kids.

PARENT
... and then I lock up and head on home. So that's what it's like to manage a Waffle House.

The Class claps and the TEACHER, a reddish-brown-haired woman of about 42, steps in front of the class.

TEACHER
Okay, nex~ up is Ricky Bobby. Ricky is your rather here?
RICKY
No Ma'am. My Mother says he's off getting speeding tickets and chasing tail.

The class laughs. Ricky doesn't know why.

TEACHER
Alright then, we'll move on to Brennan, whose Father is here to tell us what his job as a prison guard is like.
CLASS
Cocl job! Awesome! I want to be in prison! . •..

There's a little tap at the door. . ....;_;... ·-:; ~:; :· . ·:

REESE BOBBY
Excuse me darlin ... I'm ReeseB<>bby. I'm here for Career Day with m~ .s-9μ_;, =,=-··-=. Ricky... .

We see Reese is peeking through thJ'\ ap?r w\th a cig.:1rette in his mouth. :, ··\: _

RICKY _.: . ,_,_:\.;::t::,,::,_:•:t:(: ·-... Dad! ,· -:

Ricky runs up to Rees~( a~c;l__ _hugs him.

· ·.·.·.::•:•::·.·. ·. . ,· .·REESE BOEB.Y Hey th¢' re b.9y. Man .-you got bi g ...'.H9w ro·ng' s it been? Thr:ee mol):t.hs? .·· ·· ·:.::: .., .

-· =0::<Ten : y~}ts. -~ICKY : ·:· ·:. ·•,•, REESE BOBBY Aww·•::•$"crry about that. Here's a five dollar bill.

He h~nds Ricky the bill as the other boy and his Dad sit down.·

TEACHER
Mr. Scbby, there's no smoking in here.
REESE BOBBY
It's alright honey, I'm bonded.
(addressing the class} Okay .. . I am a race car driver.

The kids oh and ah and Ricky beams with pride.

5

REESE BOBBY
And the fi r st ~hing you got t a learn if you wanna b e a r ace car driver, is tha t you don ' t lis t en to l os ers . . . like your t eac her over here .
TEACHER
Okay, I thi nk t ha t 's enough.
REESE BOBBY
Your teache r wants you to go s l ew ~ and s he's wrong , cause t his whole./ -::::-:-:~::.::::-:·:·-.-:, .·.':::, wor l d's bui l t on speed. Just · · ·.-:::;:_--·.-:-.-..:;:,,,•::·,(:·;:-,::;:,, .. remember, i t ' s t he fastest t hat ···:. gets paid and it' s the fas t e~i~that gets l aid .

:: .... •,

11

EXT. SCHOOL - FIVE MINUTES LATER

Reese Bobby is being forcibly.',.::r emove'l:i ·:fi-;0m the school by three JAN I TORS, while Ri cky w;ib::he$. ...:.

.. ... .. ..... ··~-· _..... REESE .BOBBY :~ You peopl e i r e i n t he wi~hg on this one! ! ! So iri "tlie ·-:wrong! ! ! Th i s is egregious ! ! ! Do you- hear me,

12

E.G_.R_E_G.ICILS, ! ! ! ··:'

..··

They tos s Reese onto__ the parking lot. He gets up .

°'fllCY..Y

REESE BOBBY
Dori~t listen to these people Ricky! You'fe a winner ! You got the gift . Always remember : i f you ain't first, you ' re last.

He j umpsir. hi s car and takes off .

REESE BOBBY
See you whe:, you ' re grown up!
RI CKY
(awe struck)
If you aiP- ' t. first , you're l ast . ..

SLOW DISSOLVE:

13

EXT. TALLADEGA SPEEDWAY - TEN YEARS LATER

CARD: "The Talladega Speedway: Ten Years Later"

Overhead shot of Talladega Speedway 1992 . We helicopter pan past an electric crowd of two hundred thousand people as multi-colored stock cars tear down the straightaway with a deafening roar. Mmrnm. It's sweet.

ESPN ANCR #l(V.O.) -::: It is a hot one here in Talladega. ~ And this crowd of over one hundred:.-::(-,:•::::::,:,::-:.::,-:-:,>..,: and eighty thousand is enjoying one ·:,.···-·,•,.:.,,,~-~.-:.:. heck of a race! Cal Naughton Jr. ·· has been dueling Bill Elliot all day long ...

:-, : . CUT TO: • •: . .

15

EXT. PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS /:( .\ .::::: _. .. ·,::

We see a quick cut of the··.-faution .flag being waved. A hand full of cars pull into pit ·xow. We . focus on one particular car: #28 The Laughing . Clown': Malt Liquor Car as it weakly rolls to a stop. As_ s ·o◊ri · =·.is ·::.-it stops the crew is all over it changing tires and·:fueling up like they're involved in some kind of automotive baJ,..let. · ·

We whip pan to th~ crew t9 see Ricky changing a tire. He's on the crew. HE TS _NOT :THE DRIVER. He still has a dorky spiky haircut arid a pimple·or· two with a name tag readi ng "Ricky" on his cr~w suit~

The crew ch{~t, LUCIUS WASHINGTON, an intimidating African American man, s_tarts talking to the driver.

LUCIUS

16

TERRY! TERRY! LISTEN TO ME. YOU ARE

running a terrible race man! We're in last place. You haven't passed anyone in forty-five minutes. Terry?

The driver doesn't respond. Lucius reaches into the car and touches the driver who slumps over .

LUCIUS
Sweet Mother Mary! This man's dead! He's cold to the touch.
HERSHELL
I've watched those true crime shows; that takes like two hours for a body to get cold.
ANOTHER CREW MEMBER
How the hell was he turning corners?

Hush falls over the pit crew. GLENN, a slightly affected Georgian with a big Adam's apple, speaks up. ·

GLENN
We've been crewing a ghost car.

LUCIUS ~~ Get this body out of the car. ·: · (turns to the crew) :' ·· ) ::·:,~:·;' ·. · Alright gentleman the bot.tom li9e is if we don't finish thf~'\-race ·our sponsor is gonna shit a c:hlck_en. --

The crewstart s to get the.: 1:i'ddy\ ~t:1:t:.:9:f·:::-ihe car.

17

·.• '• :,:... . ····.:::•::·:

GLENN·.. ··, Think about. it. He was d.Elad and he was still di•:i\ring., It was ... it was literally a ghosf':*'~F··

.... ·/\. _LUCIUS ~a-;~;d · m~=.:t dri,¥er. Who wants to go

SUPER FAS!' PUSH ·.iN. TO RICKY BOBBY

.. {>:. .. . ·:·.

Ricky raise·§·.ihis hind.

RICKY
I like to go fast.

LIGHTt:NING QUICK SERIES OF CUTS-

1) Ricky being zipped up in the suit 2} Buckle c l icking him into the seat 3)Close up of a tire peeling out 4) The car tearing out of pit row with a vengeance

MUSIC: Steve Earle's "Last of the Troubadours" kicks in hard.

OPENING CREDITS START

18

EXT. STANDS - CONTINUOUS

In the crowded stands we see a FATHER, 49, a MOTHER, 48, and their two SONS all decked out in Nascar hats, shirts and jackets listening to the coverage on their race radios.

ESPN ANCR #1 (V.O.) We have got a si~uation for the Laughing Clown Malt Liquor number 28 car. Apparently Terry LeCheveaux is sick and one of his crew members ·· has taken the wheel. ..·='·\\?:•::::::-:::::~;::.:;;\:-.

19

INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - CONTINUOUS

The two ESPN ANNOUNCERS follow the race.

ESPN ANNOUNCEif i~ , That's right Kurt. His name:•) ,.~ Ricky Bobby and het·$. :. 9urrentry.:::in last place . Let' .s }iisYdJ9P.~ he doesn't hurt sorileone · o.ut ·tnere.

•,, .

20

INT. RICKY'S CAR - CONT'INTJQΜ$

Ricky is moving arid shaking. He's got his spotter i~ his ear as well as Lucius., .

: :LUCH}S (V.0.) Just play it:·safe. I don't want you .. -wrecking th~t car and costing us three hundred thousand G.D. bucks.

RICKY
With 'all due resoect sir, I think I'm going to do some driving.

We see his foot on the accelerator and he begins to pass cars. Ricky fakes high and then passes low. Taps someone's fender then dodges a wreck masterfully.

ESPN ANNOUNCER #1 Well look at that. The tire changer in the 28 car is really going after it~

CUT TO:
21

EXT. RACE TRACK - LATER

Checkered flag is waving. We see Ricky finishing third.

CUT TO:
22

EXT. PIT ROW

A reporter from the show RPM is interviewing CAL. N~UGHTON JR, 32, the winning driver, and Ricky.

REPORTER FROM RPM
Another exciting race today at Talladega where Cal Naughton J.r:...has brought home the checkered flag ·:fo;. his sixth win of the season. •:---:-:·:.,::.:
CAL NAUGHTON
Thanks Gary. We were-

RE PO RTE~·?f ior,t·.:{U>M But that's not ·the bfg.. s·tor:y today. The big story is · a litt::le'."'known tire changer~ . .Ricky Bobby, who finished th.Lid in .the Laughing Clown Malt Liquor·:-:car:. Ricky, where~d you learn td drive like that?':':.:::.:- .

We see that Ric)<y {f..extremely nervous . He just stares at the camera for a 1609 time:;'

23

.. · . ; .

····' \ : .RICKY D6\:y.ou want me to talk?

24

·~ .

REPORTER FROM RPM 1£ you'd like to say something that'd be great.

RICKY
(too softly)
Well the car handled real good ... and that was good so I felt good.
REPORTER FROM RPM
Can you spea k up Ricky?
RICKY
I said the car handled good and that was good. So I felt good which was good ...
REPORTER FROM RPM
Right, the car was good ... we get that.
RICKY
And if my Daddy's was watching I'm sorry I didn't finish first. I'll do better next time ...
CUT TO:
25

INT. GARAGE AREA - CONTINUOUS

The team owner, Mr. DENNIT, a larg~'.·::garrulo1:1.s man, watches the interview with Lucius.

·tr\t:. ... LUCIUS ...,.. : Bad news is he'.·s :. going to· =t1eed some on camera traini~g. Good news is he can drive Mi • .Denni t. · •:..: ..:_:::.1.::.:·:· ,. :. ·MR. DENN:J:T · I'm just happy he didn't wreck my car . jhat•~ his name again?

:LUCIUS ·Ricky~ Rick9 ·~obby .

27

:;:. • CUT TO:

28

EXT. DARLINGTON MOTOR SPEEDWAY - THE NEXT WEEK

We see Ricky Bobby in his car approaching the finish line with three cars in front of him. He zig zags through them tapping bumpers and then throws a balled-up piece of paper into Cal Naughton's car as he wins.

ANNOUNCER (V. 0. )
Ricky Bobby with some go-for-broke driving takes the checkered flag !! ! Do not try that at home!!

Cal Naughton opens the piece of paper and it reads "Bye Eye."

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Cocky ass tire changer.

MUSIC AND CREDITS CONTINUE TO ROLL.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE OF SPONSOR PROGRESSION ON HOOD OF CAR

We see different decals being put on the hood of Ricky's car as they get more and more successful:

1) Laughing Clown Malt Liquor 2)Pabst Blue Ribboh.Beer 3) Dom Perignon Champagne 4} Halliburton 5) The Vatican 6) -·:Oprah Winfrey 7) and finally ... Skoal Bandits. -·' :.':<;-::: .. ·

29

<:.'. :·:~: ·,

30

EXT. NORTH CAROLINA SPEEDWAY - THE NEXT": '.(~AR

,: :· :'. '

Ricky is doing big victory donuts in the '·in..ff~'lq•,:- tearing up grass. ':{(:>: ::: ·

'••.. RICKY .;': : .. Whooo ! ! ! Whooo ! ! ! ... ·

When he's done we see fron( cve.rh.:~i'\ (hat he's written "I'm

' ;.:·.\:/ · \

31

INT . COUNTRY WESTERN BAR - :-'T'IG.TL'.F

Ricky is line da~cing/ \,ith a dozen people behind him. He's got a different hiirityle; and is a little more cleaned up .

32

,•.··

· •.

33

EXT. NASHYJLLE;: SOPER SPEEDWAY - THE NEXT MONTH

Ricky Bobby "tries to jam between two cars approaching the finish line. · ·

ANNOUNCER (V.0.)
Ricky Bobby thinks he sees a gap but I sure as heck don't ...

Ricky-~pins out and rolls into the infield. He gets out of his car and stands on the hood and waves two small American flags as the crowd cheers him.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
That's Ricky Bobby's third no finish of the year but the fans love him for going for the win.
34

INT. COUNTRY WESTERN BAR

Ricky is line dancing now with a hundred people behind him. He now looks good with some nice clothes and a good haircut.

35

EXT. DAYTONA SPEEDWAY - A YEAR LATER

Ricky is being introduced at the pre-race introductions. In the crowd a hot drunk blonde, CARLEY, 25, is sitting on her DIRT BAGGY BOYFRIEND'S shoulders in the crowd. We ~ie~ her from behind as she takes off her top and flas.h~~: :~~S}q·~.-

HOT DRUNK BLONDE
Hey Ricky Bobby! ! I wanna fas·oel"l f ushoo ! ! Whooo ! ! ·.··. · · •:·:\ .

Ricky looks over at her and they l'~fok eyes. It ·is love at first sight. '/\\:'.

..... ·:::, ··\f: RICKY

36

::\:~?:.::\::-:~.:•..., ;., .,.:··

I have found my .angel.·,:.,,,...,.,._.-.

37

·, ..... •,•:.::·:.::.·..

'•·:.\ ..

38

EXT. MCMANSION - DAY

Ricky carries Carle'y - in wedding · gown through the front door of a huge McMans.ion in a development of identical McMansions. There is a giant':-:,qow ·on it. They enter and .:lake out fur:.ously. ., ·-·

39

·... .

•.

40

EXT. P....J\CE:,::_TRAC:F('.I:\A YEAR LATER

··.:::r;.:..t ·::::

We see a fluz:ry of checkered flags shooting t.hrough frame in succession as ' ~r6wds go crazy.

41

INT ~:. GARAG_E - TV COMMERCIAL

Ricky working on his engine with some crew members, turns to camer·a:=:

RICKY
Hi, I'm Ricky Bobby. And as a professior.al athlete I have to watch my weight. That's why I eat Dawson's r.ew low-carb pork rinds.

Reveals a bag of pork rinds.

42

INT. CAR DEALERSHIP SHOWROOM - DAY

Carley sits behind the wheel of a bright red Porsche convertible while Ricky writes a check to the salesman.

43

EXT. COUNTRY WESTERN BAR - NIGHT

Ricky is line dancing now with literally two thousand people behind him. He rules the race scene. ··· · ·

44

EXT. RACE TFACK - DAY

Ricky is being interviewed by DICK BERGER..ON for FQ}.(_ in Victory Lane. Behind him his crew and a cro~d. celebrate yet another victory. .... \ ::.:.=.~::·.::=_ / :-:··

•,• DICK BERGERON _::.:.-,:::;. Heck of win today, how do. y()_U, feei:?

RICKY / -=~{\:::=-::_:,::,:. :.·:-: (fast and sharp) ··:..:. ..... =:·• Well Dick, I fee~ a like a fat man who-

45

INT. ESPN - DAY

····. .;.

Ricky finishes his thought but now he's en ESPN's T~e Hotseat being i nterviewed by.·, Stuart Scott.

RI CKY
-~wr~~ke~ sinto t he cookie dough truck. 1 · 1ove-
46

INT. TODAY SHOW SET - DAY

Now he's being interviewed by Katie Courie.

RICKY
-racing. I love hitting that gap and making-
47

INT. LOU DOBBS STUDIO - DAY

Ricky i s being interviewed by Lou Dobbs.

RICKY
- that checkered flag shake. I love the speed, the bumping-
48

INT. ELLEN DEGENERES - DAY

RICKY
-and the shakin. Heck, I even love the-
49

INT. TELEMUNOO TALK SHOW - DAY

Ricky is now on a Spanish language talk show.

RICKY
- pit stops.

They both chuckle .

50

INT. OPRAH WINFREY SET_ __ - DAY

Ricky finishing the. chuck!~ ''~n,.p _.now being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. · •.: ···

·., ..: OPiU\H· WINFREY You·;_ve be~ome known as the criver

51

WHO WON'T ACCEP-C SECOND PLACE.

52

INT. SESAME STREET · SET - DAY

Ricky is now being interviewed by Elmo .

ELMO
· where does that desire come from?

: ·..· RICKY I live and race by one motto ...

53

INT. PRSSS ROOM A'"F THE SPEEDWAY - DAY

Ricky is now surrounded by literally three hundred reporters with casette recorders and mies . We see th i s f rom an overhead shot.

RICKY
If you ain't first, you're last.

Ricky gives a wink and a click as hundreds of camera fire.

MUSIC AND CREDITS END

CUT TO:
54

EXT. RICKY'S MCMANSION DUSK

Current Day. There are a dozen ca,:;; parked _i:n,.J..h~---8:r.:ty,eway: Hummers, pick-ups, a Porsche, a Trans Am, etc·.-< ····•.·:::-::::·::,:::::::,::-

WORDS COME UP ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN: "PRESENT DAY AKA: RIGHT FRIGGIN' NOW" . ·. · ··.:• .

55

INT. THE BOBBY DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

CU of Carly yelling.

,• CARLEY Supper's ready! Come on _everyone! supper!!

CUT TO:

PANNING PAST A HUGE DINNER

..

We see a massive. sprea·d · of fr i ed ch i cken, burgers, vegetables biscu i ts_,: etc. -· ::·

Ricky sits at the head of the table in a Mountain Dew varsity jacket. His TWO. SONS, 9 and 7 are there in Mountain Dew j _ackets as weli with Carley and CARLEY'S DAD, 71.

Th~y are all holding hands and saying grace. During the entir~ scene there is a dog barkir.g in the background.

RICKY
Dear Lord baby Jesus or as our brothers to the south call you, Hey- zues. We thank you for this bountiful harvest of fried foods and Pepsi. And I'd also like to thank you for my family: my two bea~tiful sons, Hank and Williams Jr.
(MORE)
RICKY (cont'd)
And of course my red hot wife, who if you were to rate her ass on a scale of 100, it would easily be a 94 . I also want to thank you for my wife's father Chip and I hope, dear Baby Jesus, that you can you can use your Baby Jesus powers to heal Ch i p's leg, which smells horrible and the dogs are always bothering with. Also infant Baby Jesus give us-
CARLEY
You know sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don't have to always cali him Baby.

RICKY · Honey I just like the Christmas Jesus best.. ::/::"·

CHIP
He was a man. He ha:d· a be~'rd . '· RI CKY :: .. ··\:'.;; :::::::;)::,:::_/ _

I will always lik.e the ·b!=l_by version the best! Da.: YP.~ pear me?! I'm the one who wins·· .i::ac:e:s and I'm ~he one who get_~· --money! ! ! ···::_:: · ·

56

,.. . CARLEY

Ricky t°ini_sh the grace. •.· . .. ··::·- . RI CKY

57

,.:,:::, QK ••.:::DEAR T ·INY NEWBORN INF AM:

J.~sus, w~ thank you for all the r~~es I'~e won and the 21.2 million doli~rs in total prize winnings that I a l one have earned. Also, due to a binding endorsement contract that stipulates I mention Mountain Dew whenever I say grace, I'd l ike to say that Mountain Dew i s thir st quenching and delicious. Amen.

Everyone digs i n .

RICKY
How was school today boys?
17

HANK
My friends and I skipped school and we found a spider and we threw l ight bulbs at i t for close to six hours ar:d t hen I made a jelly sandwich and then I threw light bulbs at a spider .
RICKY
You already said that last part, but it sounds like a good day. What about you Williams Jr.?
WILLIA1'1S JR
The teacher asked me what the capitol of North Carolina was and I said Washington D.C. and she said / ·-:: . you' re wrong. So I said, "You got. :·i,i'<':::t_\;: l umpy butt ," and she got :J:nad anq ·· yelled at me and I pissed~~¥ pants. And I never changed my pee · pa.nts ·· all day. I 'm still~~ittin; · ii my dirty pee pants. · ... · .. ·
RICKY
You kids are . just like your dad , precocious ·and '-.ful.l of wonderment.
CHIP
I c an 1 ~ hold my tongue :those kids are my grancchi~dren andyou are raising t hem wTong. Th eyare terrible l i ttl e boys .

WI LLIAMS ,TR S~tit up Chip! You're j ust a wri~kled old fart 1

HANK
Grandpa I swear you shut up right now or I'l l beat you in the mouth'
CHIP
Are you going to l et your sons talk to their grandfather like that?
RICKY
I sure as hell am Chip! In fact I' m proud of the way t hey're talking to you . They are winners and wi~ners can do whatever they want. You ' r e just an old bag of bones.
(MORE)
RICKY (cont'd)
The only thing you've ever done with your life is make a hot daughter.
CARLEY
Daddy you stop disrespecting Ricky. He pays for this food and he pays for your leg treatments. You leave him alone, understood?
CHIP
Yes. ··:.~. CARLEY ::·.·{?·:f ·;;_\t~:l:::.~..~.}.?..... Baby what you gonna do tomorrow?
RICKY
-::.•, Win . .... <\,-_\ •::::_::.:. CARLEY Whachya gonna do?! ·· .··.. •::::.. RICKY ··=:-<··
CARLEY
Kids, what's daddy gonna~o? · ..:: : ·.·.·· ... ... , ~-: . .,.: .HANK ANO·. WILLIAMS JR •
59

:;-:: CARLEY

Dadqy what.' s your son - in - law gonna do?··.:: ····; :·

•:..... CHIP Ah,. hec k .... win.

CARLEY
Nobody beats my baby!

She and Ricky kiss i n a rea lly s e xual way.

SMASH CUT TO:
60

EXT. MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK - THE NEXT DAY

MUSIC: "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line" by Waylon Jennings.

We push through from the shadowy bowels of the speedway and up and out an entrance way to the sunlit track. It is a breathtaking assault on t h e senses .

We see hundreds of thousand of fans and the jet black asphalt of the track with gleaming cars splayed across pit row like fighter planes as the crews prepare for the race.

CUT TO:
61

EXT. INFIELD - CONTINUOUS

Ricky, in shades and his driving suit, strides past all the trailers set up in the infield. Other drivers say hello and people grill dogs and eat barbecue. It is like a·miniature city. A constant stream of people come up to Ricky ·:and ask for his autograph and follow him while he walJ~..~. ::: ,.,: .•

62

,· ·•:- •.·

FANS Hey Ricky Bobby! If you ain't' ::>-::-. first, you're last! ... Hey lodk• I ~:·: ·: .. ." •.\ •• it's Ricky Bobby! ·.•:"·

RICKY
God love you!

More people start to swa:tlf!, ;i1~'f\ to.~\ aut6graphs. He signs their programs, shirts, faces, h~nds•:':.•and breasts without missing a beat. ~

63

CARLE·Y\ ::

Ricky, did you see\ ,this month's issue ~~f High Octan~ Magazine? -:·..:::::- . <:· RICKY N6 ·baby .. ·::,( then to some fans) Is · t hat: ·:Charla ·'with an "S" er a "C"?

Carley hol~s , ~p th~~agazine. It says "Formula One driver Jean Girardf:Qμr Driver of the Year!u There is a picture of a dashing driver-•· in front of a formula One race car.

RICKY
·.1-Jhat? This was supposed to be my year!
CARLEY
I already called them and said that you'll never do another interview with them again.

He signs a program, a WOMAN's chest and a BABY in quick succession.

RICKY
"Jean Girard?u Who the heck is he? I hate those Formula One drivers. Their cars look like bugs.

A CUTE BRUNETTE, 27, with glasses comes up to Ricky.

CUTE BRUNETTE
Excuse me Ricky . .. ?

Ricky signs her face anq shirt really quickly .

RICKY ..·. ,·::,.::::_:·:• Aw jeez, I'm sorry Susan.· You -~otfa·•::\:j,',. stay clear of me when 1 ·~0 into . ·· autograph mode. I 'm reall~ _sorry • .

Ricky and Carley start to w~~K~way. ciiley turns back to Susan.

CARLEY: By the way s;usan, ·· you might want to but.ton up tha't ·top_ butt.on on your blouse. If· you don''-:t. -have the merchandise., don't put it in the front window .

64

EXT . SPEEDT\LAY - ' AN HOUR LATER

The cars ar~ ·a11 liid out in their start positions on the track.

MIKE JOY (V .0.)
The cars a.re in their ready . position and I believe Ricky Bobby is still not in his car.
65

EXT. PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS

Luci~s and the crew all in racing suits and open-faced helmets wait by Ricky's car.

LUCIUS
Whe:!:'e is he?
HERSHELL
We' ve l ooked everywhere . There's no sign of h:.m.
66

EXT . TICKET WIN DOW

Ricky leans i nto the wi l l call window.

RICKY
Hey St ephen, just makin ' sure those two tickets are here for my s pecial guest.
STEPHEN
You know it Ricky . Good luck toqa y.

Stephen shows Ricky the t ickets as ~icky ·1eavJ~~ Stephen tur!1S to the T ICKET TAKER next to tj¾1'·

' • • •, S'Y'EPHEN It's so sad, he l ea\tes two tickets for his daddy at, ··evei:"y:::t.ac¢- a:{d he never shews up ....:... · ': ·•·....,,

:.•.·

67

EXT. PIT ROW - SECONDS . LATER·..

'• \·:

Ric ky comes r unnjrig o~t onto ~he track. The crowd goes crazy .

..·... ·: . MH~E .:.JOY (V.O. )

68

P.RICT '.: HERE 2CM-ES·· RI CKY BOBBY ! WOW .

69

LISTE:L TE .:HAT OVATION. HE HAS

,.-i, xea11 ,/ ·become one of the most popular ·arlvers on the circui t .

70

DARRYL WALTR I P (V . 0.)

And this despite the fact that he ' s never wen a poin t s championship . He

71

WINS T HE MOST RACES BUT HE HAS TOE

man y wipe cuts and no fini shes ~o win the overal l points c h ampionship ...

Ricky j umps in his car like a man i ac and s t art s the engine.

RICKY
Whooo! ! I wanna go fast !!

We see Naughton in h i s car.

CAL NAUGHTON
(yells out his window)
Hey shut up you dirty tire changer!!!

We cut away to Ricky's foot hitting the accelerator, the carburetor sucki~g in a whoosh of air, a spark ignites and the pistons slam up from the explosion. The shining chrome engine roars like a metallic lion.

All of the cars tear off down the straightaway w'it:h a deafening wall of sound that you hear with your whoi~ body. Glenn and Lucius watch on from pit row.

LUCIUS
Twenty years in this game, I ·n~ver get tired of that sound. · · · ·
GLENN
You knew what I never get; :.:tired of Lucius? Our friendship. :-:-.
LUCIUS
You go stand ovei th~~e-
72

EXT. SPEEDWAY - TWO HOUR.!:R ·14\TER

The race is in its final twenty laps. Cal Naughton is leading with two cars behjnd .him and then Ricky.

73

: . .MIKE .JOY (V .0.)

R~cky. :Bob~i/ ji doing everything he can tc·. catch Cal Naughton Jr but 'this is ju~t Cal's day.

74

EXT . TOP OF THE' SPEEDWAY - CONTINUOUS

We ·§ee the balcony of spotters watching the race fr~m overhead with binoculars. RICKY'S SPOTTER, 52, with a mus~a=he and sunglasses, waves Ricky off.

RICKY (V .0 . )
Do I get room to pass between the two cars in front of me?
RICKY'S SPOTTER
Ricky there's no room. Stay in your lane!
23

I NT. RICKY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

LUCIUS (V .0.)
Ricky, you're in fourth p l ace. That's good points. We don't need the win. Let Naughton have this one.
RICKY
I'm sorry Lucius, t hat just ain't gonna happen.

Ricky accelerates towards a really small g~o b~t~~~~ t wo cars. He hits one and they all spin out lea~ing Cal in the clear.

LUCIUS
I told him. I told the ~~n! :/=:::( :: "
76

INT. CAL NAUGHTON' S CAR - COL~-R:-F~G~:~:S:·..·.

CAL NAUGHTO~_ Whoo! Goodbye Ricky ! ! ··

•, '

77

EXT. TRACK - CONTINUOUS ·.::..

Ricky has stopp~d sp~nning so that he's facin g the wrong way. He kicks the car into reverse and keeps goin g, BACKWARDS.

·" -::

78

. DARRYL L'IALT RIP

79

-·· RICKJ ~OBBY IS TRYING TO FINISH TH E

iace in ' ieverse! This is urib.elievabl e ! !

Ri cky passes Cal and takes the checkered the flag while fl i ppi ng Ca l t h e bird.

,:UT TO:

80

EXT. VICTORY LP.NE - LANE

Crew is shooting bottles of champagne into the air, ce l ebra ting.

CREW
Ricky ! Picky! Ricky!
RICKY
It's just called driving boys!!! Whooo ! ! !

Lucius pulls Ricky aside.

LUCIUS
That was some of the dumbest driving I've ever seen. You may have won but you gotta remember, you're not gonna live forever.

I'm not st!if:\ucius, no one livJ"s"( :::C>,:-· forever. But with advances in modern science and my high in~.ome it ain't crazy to think I can~iv~ to be 245, maybe even three hundred·\·.•:=· years old. ?/ :.,:. •· · ·:

LUCIUS :, ····:}\. This is for real ~i:lCJ~y Bo~by'!:.:.~very driver knows the.. bf<f\t.r.~_<;Jc· is ···. waiting for him ·~ You·=:goft=a:·_.respect the danger of w~at we ~9! ·

Rick;(, ::··'.. Maybe even four ·t1tiI)¢~ed years. I heard they jus~ pu€i pig heart in some ·g~:y f_,rom Russia .

81

··::HERSHELL (C. C. )

82

COME :QN RI~J<Y GET OVER HERE AND

83

, . . .. I . .

'"'•: .ce1ebt~J:e. ·:-::·:::.

We see the -~rew dancing and spraying champagne all over each other. Ricky }oins them.

RICKY
Whoo!! Whoo!!

We see ·.one crew member has gone a little too far in his celebration. He is in his underwear and is dancing and humping the back of Ricky's car.

RICKY
Hey! Stop that man!

Everyone quiets a bit and locks at ~he CREW MEMBER: KYLE

KYLE
I thought we were all getti~g crazy, you know, l ettin locse.
RICKY
No one was humping the car. That's j ust weird.
KYLE
Since when did we start judging celebrations?

Mr. Dennit, the team owner, approaches Ricky. He has a beautiful and very young BLONDE WIFE, 19, with him.

MR. DENNIT ...
~~~~kw:: ;ofr~~t s~!~tRi~~kin~u;t._: ,'··:""\::L,.:.;:;;::/:(]k .. the big picture here. Our sponsors, along with myself would love to. win a points championship. · ., ·· :: :❖.:: ••• . :·•·.-;.:.:::-::·,;:: =· RICKY •\i:.-. Well with all due respect: ·::5._,ir I ·had no idea that you recentl~ Hj~ :· got. ten experi:nenta+•.: surgery t :"o .. have your balls removed:·:.:·: -.:- · · .. MR. DENNIT What thehell ,. ~id you just say to me?! • •.·:
RICKY
Whoa, ~hoa,. Mr. Dennit . I said wit.h "all du~ : r~spec~ ."

·M,i);; · oENNIT That doesn't mean you ca~ say anything you want.

RICKY
I'm pretty sure it does.
BLONDE WIFE
Why is that man having sex with tha t car?

The Crew Member is back humping the car.

RICKY
Kyle! Kyle! What did I just tell you?
CUT TO:
84

INT. "THE NO BRAKES HONKY TONK"- LATER

A Gilley's type Honky Tonk with stage and bar in the back. Five hundred people are pressed up against the stage as KEITH TOBY, 35, a country western singer, sings his American brand of music.

KEITH DOBY
... AS FOR ME I'LL ALWAYS TAKE A BEAT UP GUITAR AND A JUG OF SWEET CHERRY WINE.

Crowd goes nuts. Keith waits for the crowd ·to :af-J .:_:db°~h .·

KEITH DOBY
Well this is a hell of a crowd. ·hno •• this sure is a hell of a,nation . .~ Before I sing this next -:~.9.ng I .• · wanna bring up to the st~-9~ a real dear friend of mine and the: winnel: of yesterday's Mem.pt,i,~s 400. ·Please welcome the fast.est ·-.):he:J:"e.. is and a t!'ue American: Mr. Ri:c.~y :·Bobby! . .

Ricky jumps on .stage . .~h-~. c:rowd go.es nuts.

'• ·:· ..· . RICKY How gqd~ is Keith Dciby! <·.::.~..::-' · :· KEITH DOBY Th~nks Riiky! this next song is one of Ritky's · favorites and it's off

85

:.·,. -MY ~ED;_.:.. WHITE AND NO T YOU ALBUM. A

'ONE·; TWO, · THREE, FOUR! :-: : .

The band kicks:•:·in with a country anthem that the crowd obviously knowi~

KEITH DOBY
THE CRY OF A NEWBORN I NF~.NT FILLS THE HOSPITAL ROOM A TIRED, BUT PROUD MOM AND DAD LOOK ON THE DAD SAYS (SPOKEN) "SON WE'RE GONNA NAME YOU T.J. AND I HOPE YOU GROW UP STRONG DO '!:'OUR BEST AND NEVER BACK DOWN FROM A FIGHT BUT ONE TH ING YOU CAN REST ASSURE OF, AS SURE AS THE RISING SUN BY BEIN' BORN IN AMERICA, YOU' RE ALREADY NUMBER ONE"
KEITH AND RICKY
I SAID NUMBER ONE MR. CHINESE-MAN HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? NUMBER ONE FRIEND FROM MEXICO HOPE YOU'RE NOT PLANIN' ON STAYIN' FOR REAL THAT FLAG WAS MADE FOR A REASON F'IN RED, F'IN WHITE, F'IN BLUE WHEN YOU WAKE UP AS AN AMERICAN, YOU'RE GUARANTEED COOL
KEITH DOBY
Come on boys let's make this special!
RICKY ....
:g~:~: ~:~ I BEATS THE HELL OUTTA ··.•::<-:::\h::·t ::•,

KICKS THE CRAP OUTTA NUMaER THREE GIVES NUMBER FOUR A WEDGIE).. AND MAKES NUMBER FIVE TOUCH:•:ocG D00 NUMBER SIX SWITCHES· ...SCHOOL. . .::. DISTRICTS . ':··.:\: ...... cAusE HE' s TERRoiuzEo ,BY··:oNE, THEN ONE TOOK A l?OLAROID OF NUMBER SEVEN'S WEINER AN-D PUT IT ON THE INTERNET ...:::.. ·/ . ·::· . . MADE NUMBER EIGHT ·:AND NINE KISS IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE '¢1.ASS AT THE PEP RALLY ·:._. THEN TOOK NlJMBEP, TEN OUT INTO THE woobs AHD· ·NO ONE WILL SPEAK OF WHAT -HAPPENED ., .

KEITH AND RICKY
THAT FLAG WAS HADE FOR A REASON F'IN :RED, F'IN WHITE, F'IN BLUE WHEN YOU WAKE UP AS AN AMERICAN, YOU'RE GUARANTEED COOL!!!

The crowd goes crazy as Rick and Keith high five.

86

INT. THE BAR SECTION OF THE NO BRAKES - !..ATER THAT NIGHT

MUSIC: ~Tight Fittin Jeansu by Conway Twitty

Every DRIVER and CREW MEMBER who's anyone is there. The p lace is hopping . A few couples dance ar.d eve~ycne is partying.

RICKY
(yelling over the din} That was a hell of a show Keith!!
KEITH DOBY
Thanks Ricky!! I always love it when you come by! Let's do us some partying!
RICKY
Hey bartender! Give me a fast ball with a twist of lime!
HERSHELL
What's a fast ball?

Basically :~;T:a~~::der winds up · . >.>: ::::.c:· : ·· .. and throws the shot at you as hard as he can. :•.

The bartender takes a shot glass and wind~· :Jp:0:t4-ke a pitcher and throws the shot at Ricky who w~its with · his ::mouth open. The shot hits Ricky splashing booz~\~:}_l over him.

··..:'.;.· RICKY ·... Damn! I almost had •:tt ,f\Gi:ve. me·:•· another! ! ·: ·., :.:•:···:: -:~~..

Cal Naughton pushesthrough' the c~·6wd towards Ricky grabbing

· •·: .·.:. .

him by the collar. . . ::····

··--:'., '• •· . • CAL NAUGHTON JR. Hey Ric;!(y, .,you .pull another stunt lik.e ycu.. :did today and I'm gonna bust ·..ip ycn~r face! You hear me?!

...:-.: . . RICKY ·•:•:·You're i:'ight Cal. I'm real sorry. Bir~endei, give my friend here a fas·tball.

CAL NAUGHTON
What's a fastball?

The Bartender whips a snot glass a~ Cal Naughton . The whole crew c·racks up.

CAL NAUGHTON
Ah!! That's it! You're going down!

Mll~k: Iru!_C.Qnway !witty song winds__down as a new .s.oog comes mi..:. M.il.e.s. Davis's "KiJ).d_fil Blue."

The whole bar comes to a stand still.

RICKY
What's goin' on?
CAL NAUGHTON JR.
What is that ... ?
RICKY
1 hope I'm wrong. I really do, but I'm pretty sure that's .. . j._a,zz.

Ricky stands up and throws a bottle at the jukebtix-. A GENTLEMAN in a stylish, racing windbreaker with slaG.)cs and sporty European racing shoes turns around. He'.:.;.:i~ J.EAtLGIR.l\RD, the driver from the cover of High Octane Magai1'nJ~•:::.,:::/:~: ,

JEAN GIRARD
(French accent) ·· · :•..,.·,.::... . Why did you stop the Miles Davis?-·: ::::;;._::,.' Was it not pleasant for Jou? •'• •'•,: ,• \ '·•\:; , KEITH DOBY · ·· No one plays jazz a1;. _. the No '13'.:~:akes. No one. .·· · : ·.':.:: ... . . JEAN G:i:RARD Then why is the song on the juke box? · ·.· <. ,., .

BARTENDER · Ah sh66t, Ijm sorry, I thought that was a ~~s .Davi~ CD on there.

RICKY
... :•,: _Wait· a:-minute, I know this guy! I ~aw you ' cin the cover of High Octane! This dude's a Formula One ctrive-r !

Thf::re's a gr~mble of disbelief from the bar.

JEAN GIRARD
I am Jean Girard. And yes, I am a Formula One driver.
RICKY
Why're you talking like chat? Is there something wrong with your tongue?
HERSHELL
Could be a cleft palette .
JEAN GIRARD
I think what you are hearing is my accent. I am French.
RICKY
Did you just say you're French?

The whole bar goes grumbles.

JEAN GIRARD
RICKY
(after a beat)
Huh? What's going on? Is that a sound or word?

JEAN GIRARD _;- :~::\ :·· It means yes, I am a Frenchman. ·;.:.: : RICKY Well then welcome to. America ~.-. .•. ·=···... : :· •:.: .. .

Ricky goes to punch Jean ,who de·f_tr/blocks it, grabs Ricky by the wrist, does a specific ·.•pressu-re hold and slams his head onto the bar with his a.~ pinned behind his back. All in a split second. ······ ...:::\ .·

JEAN GIRARD
Why wo~ldyou want to hitme bec.ause .I·am Fr:~nch?

' i=qcKY {f~ce pressed against the bar} Le·t me go, you Formula One jazz weirdo!

JEAN GIRARD
You fear what is different. Unfortunately in this world that is not so uncommon. l will let you go, but before I do I want you to say, "I love crepes . "
KEITH DOBY
Don't say it, Ricky! Let him break your arm!

Beat as Ricky thinks.

RICKY
Alright! I've thought about i t and I've weighed all the options. I have decent insurance, a broken arm isn't so bad, plus my pride and the respect of my peers is i mportant to me. So go ahead and break my arm.
JEAN GIRARD
Msr. Bobby ... please, just say "I l ove crepes."
RICKY
Let me think about it again.
(half beat l Ye p I'm real secure with my =- decision. Go ahead and do it.
GLENN
Maybe just say it Ricky.
KEITH DOBY .
You know what? The -fno're·.::,:'._.m thinking about it, j List ·s~>y; "I love crepes."
BARTENDER
Hel l Ricky I had a :.:}'.hole mess of crepes .this morning~ They're just like pancak~s. maybe even be t ter.

,RICKY Aw man, a r~ t hose these really thin .. _pancar.·es ... I've hac: those. They are ~Rod. But ~I 'm still not gonna say i t !.! I t 'i b ecome a matter cf pride !

JEAN GIRARD
So ycu want me to brea k you a rm? _oecause honestly I'd rather net. What if you just said "I l ove reall y thin pancakes ." That is a fair compr omise , non?
RICKY
Ne! Everyone wou l d know I r e a l ly meant c r epes. Now do it ! Break my arm! Break i t you dirty coward!
JEAN GIRARD
Why do you want me to break your arm so badly?
RICKY
This is about taking a stand. But being French you wouldn't understand that. Now break ... my ... arm.
JEAN GIRARD
I see no way out of this ...

The Gentleman twists and breaks Ricky's arm.

RICKY
Ahhhhh! ! ! !

His crew and fellow drivers come to his aid.

RICKY
I didn't say it!! I didn' .t say - it ! ! !
KEITH DOBY
You really should !'l.av_e . .· . . •:.:: ;:.

The Bartende::: has a plate .·6f crep~l::. ~-

BARTENDER
Here, eat this :>~ . it'll comfort you.
87

RICKY

That's '~oo~. What is that?

B~RTtNDER I t's a crepe. ,.

RICKY
They are delicious ...
JEAN GIRARD
I am very sorry. This encounter was not how I wanted it to be. Please let me call you an ambulance-
KEITH DOBY
Hold it right there Mr. Fancypants foreigner.
(he reveals a knife)
You're abo~t to get murdered.

A circle of drivers and crew move in en the French Gentleman. Suddenly there is a gunshot fired and Mr. Dennit steps in with a pearl-handled pistol. There is a MAN next to him in a turtleneck with a beard .

33

MR. DENNIT
I'm gonna need all of you to step away from my driver .
RICKY
What'd you mean "my driver?!!"
CAL NAUGHTON
Oh this is .:t.Q.Q goood!
MR. DENNIT
I told you I wanted a points champion.ship Ricky . Jean's here to .. get us one. I just signed him as your teammate.
RICKY
Mr. Dennit , wit h all due respect, · and remember I am saying,{'.'.:-Ji th c:111 due respect, " tha t idea ·.t;s\ ,hand - dipped in shit. ~~- .·. . MR. DEN1lif\ .. .,.~\·:.:- > Hey you don't talk t o\i:ne ·•1i.ke that! You better get your heitj togethe r Ri cky. This go for broke' stuff don't p l ay in "t..he ,.long haul, you hear? You hear ! L60t .AT ME WHEN I TALK TOO YOU! !

RIC!-:Y.·

~icokih'. right at you !

89

• ; .

.. :::.. MR . DENN I T ··NQw.· I' 11· :·:see you i n Richmond wi th a s~ijous attitude adjustment.

The Man with th:e beard goes to Jean.

MAN IN A TURTLENECK
Are you alright Jean?
JEAN GIRARD
I a m fine. Everyone, this is my husband Gregory .

There is a shocked beat .

HERS.:-l ELL (whispers to the bartender) Did he just scy husband?

KEITH DOBY
Sweet Lord. Dennit hired a gay Frenchman as your teammate.
RICKY
(dazed by the information)
I don't ... understand ... things ... that are ... happening .. .

He throws up and then faints dead away.

·:cuT TO: , ..

90

EXT. RICHMOND SPEEDWAY - FIVE DAYS LATER

We see the Richmond Speedway packed with:·-p~pple. Cars are doing their qualifying runs. · ·:.:·.:.:::·••.···. · ...,.

91

EXT. RICKY BOBBY'S TRAILER - CONTINUOU$_

Ricky is drinking a beer wt d?~·::c:;~!>t . on···:his arm while his two kids jump on a trampoline.·. There is :·,a_ TV muted playing the Speed Channel in the ba_ckg:found _-..,Carley is yelling at Ricky.

CARLEY<. so this is why yoti.',ve been avoiding me for .the better part of a week!

RICKY.
I '·in: sorry ·_darlin.
CARLEY
°A11 •: you :had to do was say you like crepes ! They said you asked h im to break.. your arm.
RICKY
It was about pride.
CARLEY
And now because of your pride you can't drive today. That's less money for us. Hell that's less money for me. Ricky I'm hot. My ass has caused four traffic accidents. I once made out with pro golfer John Daly. I deserve a winner! And you can't win with a brcken arm, you ... you ... bunghole!

Kids hear this bouncing on the tramp.

HANK
Mom said bunghole!
BOTH KIDS
Daddy is a bunghole! ... Daddy is a bunghole!!
RICKY
You kids shut up!

Both kids start to cry while still jumping on thii · .~ramp.

BOTH KIDS
Aaaa ... Daddy hit me!!! Call the police!!! Ricky Bobby abuses his_ children! ! ! .. •. :•.: : : .. RICKY ·.·.:::,:·.· I do no such thing!! Look here's a hundred dollar bill for ~:ich of · . ·::· . you. Stop saying that.

He hands one of them a hun9re.d\ dollai:. bil 1 as they bounce by.

RI~KY ·:, Wait! Hold i.t. _down! Shhhli ! ! !

Ricky sees something on the TV,. and un-mutes it .

.. ... .

92

EXT. FORMULA .ONE TRA~K - DAY

We see a Formula.. One ··i:ace car passing other cars on the TV .

..: ··\:. : . 1NSIDE NASCAR HOST (V.0.1 Arid the big question in Nascar this week .is, who is Jean Girard?

We .see footage of Jean celebrating with a gold trophy and givl~g his husband a kiss.

INSIDE NASCAR HOST (V.0.)
Many consider him the best driver in the world and now he has come to the States to put his reputation on the line.
RICKY
fillhhh! I wanna see this!
CARLEY
I wasn't saying any~hing!
INSIDE NASCAR HOST (V.O.)
Born and raised in the French countryside, Jean has lived by one motto since he was a small child ...
93

INT. STYLISH LIVING ROOM - DAY

Jean addresses camer a in an interview.

JEAN GIRARD
Finishing first is nothing . Excellence is all that matters .
RICKY
Oh my God that is stupid .

We see Jean with a horse by his st,a._bles.

-. .•,:•. INSIDE NASCAR l id$'.!' (V-.0.) Jean has won every major ·Foimula : . One championship tJi~J;'-e _ is·: But·.he still finds time.,. fo{ ·the,:•;finer things in life.· ~nd wh;en. ·he isn't caring for his c9llection of tho:roughbred_hqrses, he is spending time with his' beloved husband Gregory. ' ·: · · ( ,: .

CUT TO:

... ,.· ...... ...

94

EXT. GREEN FIELD , 5EHINO ' FARMHOUSE - DAY

Jean and G~~gbry a#e tossing a st:ick to a German Shepherd.

···:·.

95

· J EAN (V.0 . )

Greg6ry understands me. He is my patience. He is my wisdom. He is my love .

INSIDE NASCAR HOST (V . O.}
But: Gregory is no stay-at-home spouse. When he isn't at races with Jean, he is busy as a world famous tra~ner of German Shepherds.
96

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY

Gregory is blowing a whistle and making hand signals to six German Shepherds. They walk in elaborate patterns and one of them jumps over another.

Then he gives a series of short bursts on the whistle, we reveal that the dogs have formed a pyramid.

GREGORY
Milou! Constantine! Well done!
97

INT. STYLISH LIVING ROOM - DAY

It's now Gregory and Jean being interviewed. As Jean talks, Gregory rubs his shoulders.

JEAN GERRARD GREGORY :.,.

America is just another (Gently s-i~g~9-.~~/i ;rench challenge for us. But we lullaby) · ·.... . ... ,... :

98

:.

believe that if you do something well and with artistry, life will find its way.

99

INT. SPEED CHANNEL DESK - DAY

The two SPEED CHANNEL ANCHORS ' a're speechless.

SPEED CHANNE°L: .ANCHOR#l Uh ... wow. .... SPEED CHANNEL ANCHOR #2 Boy .. . that is a lo~ to take in. Uhhh. :-;

The TV clicks · cff.

100

INT. RICKY'S. 'TRAILER - CONTINUOUS

CARLEY
Ricky what are you worried about? He may be slick and strikingly handsome but no one can match your pure speed.
RICKY
You're so right . Sugar I love you so much, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna have a seizure.

An out-of-breath Hershel! comes ~unning up.

HERSHEL!., Ricky, you gotta get over here. The Frenchman's about to brea k your track record.

101

EXT. PIT ROW - MINUTES LATER

Ricky and Hershell run over to Jean's pit station as Carley follows. Mr. Dennit, Lucius and Jean's crew are assembled. We hear the crew chattering in French . A car with a Perrier logo across the hood goes roaring by.

LUCIUS
(whistles)
Well kiss my ass on a Sunday.

RICKY .·.. ·.·.. ..· .·.·• ·: •·: What the hell's going on?

Jean pulls into pit row and his time goes up on th~ board 232 mph. . :-··

TRACK ANCR (V .:.O. )
Ladies and Gentlemen tha.f \ 1s a new track record. As it stand;s ·:n.o.w Jean Girard is sitting .9~:_..the poiiL .·

Cal Naughton walks by with:' S-0~~-;'.·;r-Kis c.rew members.

CAL NAUGHTON
Hey Ricky? ·l-i-2;,;/::a:oes it feel to be number two on your. ,o~n team? Ha! Ha! , . ?
RICKY
Shut up ·ca-1 !

....~·.<:·::. MR. DENN IT :. P.\lt·a smile on your face Ricky. That's your teammate. You should be happy.

RICKY
Oh yeah, I'm just thrilled Mr . Dennit. I love seeing some French dude breaking my ~rack record while I get my arm wrapped up like a freakin pinata! Hey, if you really want to put a smile on my face why don't you hose me down with piss and shoot me in the eye with a wrist rocket!! Then this will be the greatest day eve~!

Ricky knocks over an entire tool drawer.

LUCIUS
Ricky calm down.
RICKY
You calm down!!!
CARLEY
You're handling this perfectly Ricky.

Jean approaches them as he is congratulated by the crew.

JEAN
Merci ... merci ... Hello Ricky Bobby:·· ?/ ::::•"::\~~:,,... )\:-: .. I am so sorry about the incident with your arm. I would be honored if you would let me sign your :ca.st..~. .. ::y::::·~~f.:: .. RICKY .··· .
(under his breath) ·-.::..::.. Why don't you sign my bail§J: ..
CARLEY
Good one Ricky ... :;'

JE;ll.N Did you ju.st:•a·s~ :·)f I would sign your balls? ·~

f.l.CKY I said not~! .·.

MR. DENNIT
... Son, tha t was tear ass driving. ·well don~.
102

.. RICKY

(to his crew) Ah hell! Get my car off the trailer!

CARLEY
That's my baby.
LUCIUS
What?
RICKY
I wanna drive. My arm's fine. Now get it off the trailer! ~:i.t...Qff!
LUCIUS
Stop yelling at me man!
CARLEY
You keep it up, Ricky. This is great behavior.
MR. DENNIT
Now Ricky, let's not be silly. There's no more qualifying time left. Just wait until the next race.
RICKY
Then I'm using an exemption! Tell 'em I'm racing tomorrow. I'm the fastest! Not Johnny Snail Eater over here! Me!
CARLEY
You are a fine man Ricky Bobby°~ You·:- :: . are acting like a winner}:,

HERSHELL •• o..:-: ·.... You heard the man boy$! Lciok~-like ' k. .... :·•. ··-1,· 1 . • we re wor .ing af_ter .a· ·-:.i.:.::.... .. : :

103

· ":• ··::_;:·:-: ·

His crew jumps to life as Ricky ·-:~t,ares at Jean.

;JEAtt: ::-: :: I look f_orward tct ·t:~Ging against you Mr / Bobby.

,,· . •,

104

INT. RICKY'S . T:P-AILERI,- THAT NIGHT

Ricky sit~ i n ~· chair, methodically sawing off his cast. OccasionalY~1:_ ,he get·s · too close to hi s arm and winces in pain .

...

105

EXT. RICHMOND SPEEDWAY - THE NEXT DAY

The. cars are making their way onto the track. The stands are packed. Jet planes fly overhead.

MIKE JOY (V.O.)
We have quite a field here today for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. But the big story is Ricky Bobby, despi~e a broken arm, claiming an exemptior. at ~he l ast min~te. I repeat: Ricky Bobby wi l l race.
106

EXT. PIT ROW -- CONTINUOUS

Ricky's car is in pit row. We see Carley is putting a giant Fig Newton sticker across the front of Ricky's windshield.

RICKY
Baby, what're you doing?
CARLEY
I made a deal with Fig Newton. They're paying us seven hundred thousand dollars to put this on your windshield.

Susan walks over to Ricky. : .·..:

SUSAN . ::::}::::,t,,\: Here's the aspirin you wanted Mr·~ Bobby. What's on your wincl:5-~ield?

RICKY ,:·-·. . It' s a giant Fig__.- N"e.i.Jt°bn -s:c.icker. ..•... ···· .•: SUSAN Isn't that dangerous?

107

-.· .....

· • ·, . .:·::·::.: .

108

CARLEY

Listen sweetheart, I know you're not the: prettiest flower in the garden ~nd you make up for it by acting ali. conierned and nice but

109

I'M RE.ALLY GONNA NEED YOU TO SHUT

• •. your rnc·uth. Okay sugar?

Ricky's looking in through the car.

RICKY
It's actually fine! I can see if I hunch down. I'll be okay Susan.
CARLEY
"I'll be okay Susan!" Why don't you ~we just get it en right here and right now!!
RICKY
Aw, I'm sorry baby.
(then to Susan)
Susan, Carley's right. When you were worried that I might hurt myself? . .. you shouldn't have been.

Susan is pissed and hurt and walks away.

RICKY
Susan-!
CARLEY
Corne here my baby ... You're gonna win today ...

Carley kisses Ricky and he winces in pain from his arm.

RICKY
:11~~~ti~, ~o~~~i~~t br~~:~e!;i!; r~t -::•:::·::_:,.,::):::;::/,.t ..
MR. DENNIT
(to Lucius)
Will he be alright?

LUCIUS ·:s\\.. Nope. But I never think he~i gonna be alright. That bqy_' s got_ a· :::f.:ire storm raging in hi:S-::bea~-t ., ': ·· : ,:::: . ·•:,:<? ··. J • ••• ,

We hear a crackle of lightr'iing ii'i:.::the sky. Glenn, while securing a tire, looks -up at the ~lbuds.

·. : . ··· .. .. · GLENN . Is it me er did tha-f · lightning contain a sense of foreboding?

110

EXT. SPEEDWAY - -MINUT~S:-·LATER

All of the ~ars h~~e ··tegun their pre-laps. Finally the green flag Wc;lves and ~he cars come right towards camera a::1d we crane over them as they pass us by with a shockwave of sound.

LUCIUS

111

HERE WE GO.

Ricky Bobby is ducking down to see under the product sticker on his windshield.

Ri:CKY Hey eyes in the sky, tell me what's going on?

112

EXT. SPOTTER'S STAND - CONTINUOUS

(oJe see his Spotter up above the race track with binoculars.

SPOTTER
You've got two cars on your right rear a length back.
RICKY (V .0.)
No, I need to know what's going on in front of me. I can't see a damn thing.
DARRYL WALTRIP (V.0.)
Ricky Bobby has a sponsor sticker directly on his wind shield. Man that. is dangerous. It's only a . ... matter of time before he gets black· flagged.
113

INT. JEAN GIRARD'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

Jean is driving in first place. He?k:ikes a sip from a flute of champagne. ·· ·--:;: ::> ·

114

::·": >'• •.

JEAN GI RA~b:::.\:,:-:';;' _. Ahhh, life. . . ... ··

115

EXT. THE STANDS - CONT!NUOUS

Two FANS in Rick_y ·Bobby shirt;:J :·are drinking beers.

/ . _· HARDCORE FAN Go ~icky! ~end that frenc~ guy and his h~sband ; back _to Europeland!

116

_: :- SOUTHERN FAN

Say what ·you want about that fcie:igner, but he can drive .

118

EXT. RACETRACK - CONTINUOUS

Ricky taps a car and passes it by an inch. He's now behind Girard.

RICKY
Well hello Frenchie ...

Ricky is trying desperate to pass Girard.

MIKE JOY (V .O.)
Will you look at thaL Jean Gi~ard drive! Ricky Bobby cannot pass him!
LUCIUS (V.O.)
Ricky this guy got skills. He's not giving you the inside. Lay back and wait for your chance.
RICKY
I can beat him!!!

Ricky bumps into the back of Girard and tries to pass on the inside but Girard boxes him out. We see a black ~~a~ waved but Ricky ignores it.

MIKE JOY (V .0.)
Ricky Bobby has just been black flagged by Nascar for the sticker on his wind shield. That means a mandatory pit stop ... but he ignoring it!

DARRYL WALTRIP··,·.(v .0.) He's got winning fever b~d~ \ Boogity Boggity, this coul~ get hiiij,

119

·.:,.::,. :·-·· . . .

,, ··••,.-::.

120

EXT. RACE TRACK - CONTINUOUS

Ricky is right on Jeariti~tail.

121

LUCIUS

Ricky·!•·· Quit ·going for the inside! It's no·t there! .. Take the outside!

122

:· . :

RICKY
.. .:.The outside means second ola.ce ... ~~nd~if iou ain't first, y~u, ·~e last LJiius! (wincing i n pain from his arm) · Argh !

Ric.ky tries to cut the whee l to get around Jean, winces in pain from the broken arm and then loses control cf the car. He rams Jean Girard sending him into the wall. Ocher cars hit him. This starts a huge pile up with dozens of cars sp:nning out and colliding.

Then Ricky's car goes completel y air born.

RICKY
Uh-oh .
123

EXT. PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS

LUCIUS
Damn.
MR. DENNIT
Aw hell.
GLENN
Peaches and Cream!!
HANK AND WILLIAMS JR.
Cool!!!
124

INT. RICKY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

The car flies over the wall, complEftely w:ipes out a hot dog stand, crashes through some Port-A::!:'J:ehns. :.-.

••• •,!;.:···. ·.:..;:::

125

INT. NEXTEL DRIVING SIMULATOL'.'}AVILION S CONTINUOUS

... ' ·. ..:· ;:.

We see a half dozen fans d~iving. ·$imu.lator cars. Ri:::ky' s car comes smashing through.· ihe wall and· tears through all the video screens and out· the··. other wall. One FAN, 16, watches slack-jawed. · ·: ·:.:· .··

:•. FAN Wow. Thi~. is a-w~some.

126

EXT. 1'RA,C~ - CMJT:LNUOUS

·\.

We see a FATHER, 45, and SON, 9, leaving the track for the parking lot. ··

SON
-But Dad, I wanna see the end of the race!
FATHER
~ gave it a chance Son and it's boring. They just go around in circles.

Suddenly Ricky's car comes busting thrcugh a gate, rolls over three times and hits a concrete barricade exploding into a huge ball of flames. Im.'1\ediately a safety truck and crew is en the scene with fire extinguishers. They pull ~icky clear anci spray him.

RICKY
Ahhhh! ! ! !
RESCUE WORKER
It's alright! We got you!

The Son turns to his Father.

SON
You sti l l bored Dad?

Ricky still thinks he's on fire. He rips off his helmet and rolls around screaming in a high-pitched vo_ic~? ',/:-::..':'i•f):\::.

RICKY
Ahhhh! ! ! I'm on fire!!! Help!! ). . .. •, RESCUE WORKER You' re clear! There is no .fire!!::-·

Finally we are ableto take in the ·:·:~} nage ·:on thetrack. EVERY SINGLE CAR INTHE RACE . HAS WRECKEit BECAUSEOF RICKY .

127

. . ··:,,

··, .. ·. NBC ANCR (v.,o.') ::... I have never seen anything like this ... Ric.ky_ Bobby has wrecked the entire field(:.,·:· ·.:·

128

EXT. CONCESSION ·AREA .- . CONTINUOUS

<P . A . .· ANCR ( V .0.) Ladies and Ger.tlemen I regret to infor6 .you that today's race has e~pEi!d. We_: apologize.

The crowd boos like crazy.

129

EXT .·.; CRASH SITE - CONTINUOUS

Ricky Bobby, still thinking he's en fire, is running around like a -maniac. We see that a network camera crew is on the scene.

RICKY
Aeeee! ! ! ! I'm on fire!!! Ahhhhh! ! ! I'm so afraid!!! I don't want to die!! !
MIKE JOY (V .0.)
Ricky Bobby apparently after that gri zzly wreck is in a panicked state and thinks that he is on fire ...

Ricky is running around like a crazy man while Resc·.1e Workers yell to him.

RESCUE WORKER
YOU ARE NOT ON FIRE MR. BOBBY!!!!

Ahhhhhhhh ! ff(K:i don't wanna burn!;! :: ?t ·:. ?< :,\. I'M SO DAMN AFRAID!!! Help me Jesus! ! Help me Allah and the · Jewish God!! Help me Anthony Robbins ! ! ! · >::::.:_:•:·• ·

Finally some rescue workers run infiho tackle Ricky.

·:~ ·!:: ;, . :.:

130

EXT. RACE TRACK -- TEN MINUTF'.I :~:LIX.'!$~: .:.

·.:: _. . .....-:··:~:::

We see an ambulance pulling out cir . ~he racetrack.

DARRY.1/ :-'ijALTRIP (V .o.) There a~~ · good day~::.:i.n racing and there ~ie bad days.·f*icky Bobby just frac hiir.self a bad one. · •,: .

Cal r~.augt:ton ·a:nci ali'_ e>f the drivers watch uncomfortably. Jean Girard c r osses himserf -and averts tis gaze.

__.{ ·<::.::•:. :: : .JEAN GIRARD B6M, vcyage Ricky Bobby.

The a:nbulance t'ears off sirens screaming.

DISSOLVE TO:
131

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - THAT NIGHT

From Ricky's hazy semi - conscious POV we see a DOCTOR, 44, talking to Carley and Lucius.

DOCTOR
He's suffering from catatonic shock. His injuries a:e minor but right now he can't dea l with the trauma of the wreck .. .
CARLEY
We've decided to have him cremated ...
DOCTOR
Ma'am your husband's not dying. If you can just---

Ricky's POV fades to black ...

HAZY· DISSOLVE TO:

132

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - THE NEXT DAY

Once again from Ricky's hazy POV of Luci~·s ·~i:ttiml··:oy his bedside reading to him. · · .. =·=',\:·:

" ... I stoo!UfJ lront of I~-~·::i:nirrcr and wondered why I ·~a,s gettfrtg.so lumpy and why th~s·· stupi<.:i...~rai:ning bra was so uncomfortable;·:··so 1 said out loud, "Are y~u th~i, God? It' s me Margaret.ff ··

We fade to black again ...

HP.ZY DISSOLVE
TO:
133

INT HOSF'.IT.AL ROOM.:- NIGHT

Ricky's very':;hazy POV of Carley leaning over him.

CARLEY
That's it Ricky ... you just sign here and everything'll be fine ...
MAN'S VOICE
Hey the movie starts in a half - hour, just get him to sign it.

Fade to black ...

HAZY DISSOLVE
TO:

4 9.

134

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Ricky's hazy POV of the empty room and only the sound of the heart monitor flat-lining. After a second, a crash unit comes into the room led by a pan i cked RES I DENT, 25.

RESIDENT
Let's go! 20 ccs of adrenaline stat ...

Ricky turns to his right and Hank and Wi lliams Jr ·al:"~ playing with the heart monitor.

WILLIAMS JR.
You were right Hank! Every tim~ we make it go beep, people run in "'-":' he re ! · · ·:~;::•.

HANK · .·. Look how scared the wussy D~Gtor ·· · ::-... . is! RESIDENT ·.. :. .:;:::.: I want t hese kid~ out af here -

We fade to black agai'n·:.. . ·_.: · ·

HAZY DISSOLVE
TO:
135

INT . NURSE'S STATION '~· THE NEXT DAY

Two NURSES Fhat b01the Nurse's sta~icn.

NURSE #1 I j uit told him, "You choose between the surround sound or me." And then he threw me out . ..

Ricky Bobby, in his hospital gown wit~ a sling and tubes hanging off of him, walks into the hallway looking like hell.

RICKY
Excuse me. Do you all know if I'm dead? Cause if I am I'd sure love to meet Bruce Lee.

He collapses on the grou~d as the Nurses run to hi~.

CUT TO:
136

INT . LUCIUS'S PICK-UP TRUCK - THE NEXT DAY

Lucius and Mr. Dennit pull into the Hospital parking lot.

137

INT. HOSPITAL GYMNASIUM - TEN MINUTES LATER

Ricky is in a wheelchair playing basketball with five ether guys in wheelchairs. Lucius and Mr. Dennit walk up with Ricky's Doctor.

LUCIUS
So give it to me straight Doc, is he ever going to be able to walk again? ·.·. DOCTOR ..• What? Oh. I'm sorry. I thpught ·. someone had told you. He'!) i_::-;.fine ~ He found that wheelchair in -~hij~_ hallway. His paralys~!5 is ·=eri"t·i,rely psychosomatic. B_ut 1 t? s :.,,;i,mportant that we all go .-along ··wi trr·-:this . He's in a delica·te stat:e.

Ricky is playing realii~~~g~essively. He slams his chair into another guy's chai_r '-· and rips -.:the ba l l away from him.

:: ·>: _RICKY You-. . . snci6ze... . you ~lose! !

Ricky falls cv~~ _in hi s wheelchair. He crawls back to it on all four.s :._ Cl~afiy._ he .- can walk.

138

. :·~ :·

PLAYER #1 Hey\: You just used your legs!!

PLAYER #2 This guy's a fake!!

A Player whips the ball at him .

RICKY
(Ricky sees Dennit and Lucius)
I gotta go ~y fellow cripples. I get visitors.

Ricky wheels over to Lucius and Mr. Dennit .

139

INT. VISITOR'S ROOM - FIVE MINUTES LATER

Ricky, Lucius and Mr. Dennit sit in the visitor's room with a TV playing in the background.

LUCIUS
So how's the physical therapy going Ricky?
RICKY
I gave that up. I'm through lying ~~c~~~eif ju;~ v~o~~~!d!is~~ff:ce .:::.;:_\::=:t·f:;):::~:·:·\:::\ hundred thousand dollar handicapped accessible van. I'm having ramp~ and a stair elevator put in the ·:·::,:-;-. : .·.· house. I even told Carley, if she·.. ••:::::::\:: needs to find comfort wi1;:h another ·· man, she can... ·· ·

LUCIUS :,·.-:•. . Mr. Dennit, we 9-9tta·_,:_telJ •_.him.

MR . DENNIT
Alright. Ric~y, the Doctor told us to let you 'w6r~ ~his ouc in your own time but ... y~~ : can walk Ricky. ··•.. ~ICKY Wha~ did :you just say?

i.uc·rus :);:e's ·telling the truth Ricky. It's ~11 in yciur head.

··•· RICKY You sick sons of bitches. You come in here walking on two legs all fat and cocky and telling me it's in my head. You wanna know what's in my head? What's in my head is knowing that I'll never be able to feel the pleas~re of a woman!! Or that I'll ~ever do a windJr.ill slam dunk again!

MR. DENNIT
I didn't know you could dunk a basketball.
RICKY
Damn you!! I curse your insensitivity! I hope you both have sons who grow up to be star athletes only to have their legs taken away from them. I pray you know that pain and hurt!!
LUCIUS
You stop wishing that evil on me Ricky! You're not paralyzed!
RICKY
You wanna see what my life is?

He grabs a steak knife from a nearby lunsh.. tray.

RICKY
You wanna see what I am?:\·:.•..~. . ·:· •:./ .:. MR. DENN I T -~ Ricky don't do thatt~ ~~

Ricky stabs his leg with die ~-n:~;:~::_:::,,I~ediately hejumps out of the chair screaming in pain, run~ing around the.room .

RICKY-::\·:,: AHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ft;t,! .·

140

EXT. ~OSPITAL GARDEN - TE~ MINUTES LATER

Ricky, Mr. Denn:i;t_ and ··Lucius walk through the Garde::-i .

.. .... · RICKY S~~anyway, I'm sorry and I don't hoptl,.your boys lose their legs. ·(and then) So what's been going on since I've ·been gone?

MR. DENNIT

141

·...RICKY YOU SHOULD RELAX AND FORGET

about racing for a little while. Just get better, alright son?

He pats him on the back and walks off .

RICKY
Lucius what the hell is going on?
LUCIUS
Frenchie can drive. You saw how you couldn't pass him in Richmond.
RICKY
That was just because of my arm. I can beat anyone.
(then less secure} So how good is he doing?

Lucius motions to a family walking through the g~:t:den. The Dad and two sons all wear Jean Girard shirts. ½

RICKY
Oh man ...
c:uT TO:
143

EXT. RACE TRACK - DAY

: ·•,:.;.··. ··. ..

We see Girard dueling Cal Na~9_hton Jr. =d.own the straightaway of the last lap. .-:' ·- .: ::: •:•: :-·

··•:· ··.... :-:- ~. •: .. '• ·:. DARRYL.E WALTRIP (V.O.} Jean Girard ..and Cal Naughton Jr are head down thi i3t.taight away and Naughton has the in.side!! Girard feints to the outside and Naughton bites ·on it: giving Girard the inside!! '.firard:wins! Girard wins!!

MUSIC; "Comme Mei" by '..Edi th Piaf:

MONTAGE: IMAGES OF JEAN'S SUCCESS:li Jean finishing three races first i~ quick succession with checkered flags flying 2) Shots of Jean inside his car reading a short story or finisning an impressionist painting on a small ca:was 3) The cover of GQ with Jean looking stylish and the headline "The Frehch Revolution" 4) A concession stand at a race track with "Hot Dogs ·2.so, Hamburgers 3.50" posted. The Vender puts up a handwritten sign "Escargot 4.50" 5) Jean wins a race and does burn outs in the infield. When he's done we see he's spelled "I love you Gregory" in perfect cursive in the grass. 6) We see his name number one in the points standings in an ESPN News graphic.

On the lower third crawl we see a stcry flash by: "RICKY BOBBY TO DRIVE AGAIN. WILL TEST DRIVE IN CHARLOTTE FOR THE PRESS."

MUSIC: Out

SMASH CUT TO:
144

EXT. TEST TRACK - A WEEK LATER - DAY

We see 30 Reporters in the stands of a test track. Mr. Dennit, Carley, Susan and Lucius all stand by the side of the track. Ricky is in his car while Glenn and Hershell give it a final once over.

MR. DENNIT
Do you think he's ready for this?
CARLEY . .
He'd better be. It'sjust a stup.i.;:!.. test run. Susan, whydon't you . do·..:>:'\/. something useful andgo _9_et me a ....· coffee? . •, ..
SUSAN
,•: ... Yes Mrs. Bobby. .· ·...: ..

LUCIUS · How you feeli_ng Ricky? • , . .:

Ricky gives a thumbs up.

RICKY
The Big Do~'s ready to run y'all.

HERSHELL

145

:.,. GIVE HIL)'I HELL RICJ.:Y ! !

Ricky pulls ·out and accelerates out onto the track.

MUSIC: TRIUMPHANT RETURN

RICKY
I missed you Mama Speed!!! Wooo! ! Ricky Bobby is back!!!
MR. DENNIT
How fast is he going?
LUCIUS
(checks his step watch)
Twenty-six miles per hour.

MUSIC: OUT

RICKY
Ok, I'm going take her high into the bank! This could get a little hairy! Tell me if I'm making you too nervous, y'all!!

We see Ricky actually slows down going into the banked turn.

LUCIUS
(intohis headset)
Ricky youactually slowed down! Son you're indanger of stalling the engine!! •.•.· ·· · : .
RICKY
Now I'm gonna open it up. See what this baby's really got. · '

The engine accelerates ever so sli~:~tly.

RICKY (CONT'D) ·
Whooo ! ! ! Where am I at? 180? :'200?
LUCIUS
Ricky, you just ·crack~'ct thirty- five.

: RICKY , This is ~xhilarati~~1~ I'm going to bring '.it in~ I'm afiaid the engine might ·01·ow !

LUCIUS
~~ Ricky ' ~ou are averaging 26 ffiiles ~pe~· hcur1 That's about the top rdnning speed of a cow.

Ricky pulls into the pits.

RICKY
(breathing really hard)
Whoo ... man ... that was fast ... so fast ... I'm not on fire am I? So fast ... so fast ...

We see that the Reporters are clearing out. Susan comes back with a tray of coffee.

SUSAN
Wha-c. happened?
CARLEY
That half a man lost his nerve! He's done! Finished!

She knocks the coffee out of Susan's hands.

CARLEY
Where's my coffee?!

We see Hershell and Glenn helping Ricky away from the car.

MUSIC: "It Was Almost Like a Song" by Ronnie Milsap·:::.

LUCIUS
So that's it ... Jesus, I think I'm gonna cry . :· . ···

Tears arenf;E:~mething t~ . be feared :·-:;:\:--· Lucius. They' re a healin·c;f:balm. ··:

LUCIUS ·:- :•,: . Man, you are one creepy .:little·· dude. ···· ~

146

INT. RICKY' S TRAILER _-:0:ALLFIQUR LATER

Ricky is in a T-shirt. and swea:t pants. He's drinkin;J tea with Mr. Dennit seate4 acres, from him. It's over .

::RICKY These cars ~~o last don't they? I don't ·remember them going that fast ... ·

MR. DENNIT
Ricky you need a break . A long break. We've made the decision to deactivate the 28 car for awhile.
RICKY
Yeah ... that's probably a good idea. Just for a few weeks or maybe a few years ... just til the cars slow down, right Mr. Dennit?
MR. DENNIT
That's right Ricky ... Just til the cars slow dcwn ...
147

EXT. RICKY'S HOME - LATER THAT NIGHT

Ricky gets out of his 4X4 and heads towards the front door.

MUSIC: The sad Ronnie Milsap song swells up again.

148

INT. ~ICKY'S HOME - THAT NIGHT

Ricky walks into his living room in his street clothes with his d·..1ffle bag. His wife Carley, two sons and his father-in- law are in the living room, they are eating .di_n.n_e_:i:; i:,n._TV trays in front of the TV, laughing and talking:/ ·'wherr" Ricky walks in they stop. Chip turns off the TV. ·

RICKY
Hey everyone. . . · -:·<-:.:•

Awkward beat as everyone continues:%-ct. star~ at him.

·'.· ·-:-:- .

·: .·•

JOHN DALY comes out of the kitchen :-:in Ricky's robe , holding a big platter of pork chops:~- ·.:-

···::,!':.•

149

JOHN DALY ./

Who'$ '":.t;,eady : for mor·e pork chops? Oh he t::- Ric'ky. · ·.·: · · .RICKY What ,ih~ heil is John Daly doing in · ri:iy, _-hous~7.. -Wearin' my robe? Eat in' my .pork chops?

JOHN DALY
I'm also wearin' your underwear.
CARLEY
Baby you and I both know this has been over for a long time.
RICKY
No I honestly didn't!

Carley holds up a thick document.

CARLEY
You signed this contract will i ngly while you were in a coma.
(MORE}
CARLEY (cont'd)
It gives me all assets and an uncontested divorce whenever I wish.
RICKY
We're divorced?
WILLIAMS JR.
Yay! Two Christmases!
RICKY
So that's it.
(heavy sigh)
Alright then. What
CARLEY
I think we should let them decide who they go with -- their richt Mpm... who's dating a pro golfer. or their· :•,.-:::;::::::: gunshy, bankrupt Daddy. ·:{.· . · :,:··

Hank and Williams Jr look at Carley. ~~d_ Ricky.

_:;~:: HANK ·... .··:.·,:.; Daddy, can we ~at c~-k~ · •icing for breakfast and can we run the lawn mower over a phoriebook? :-.. .. . .. . .. RICKY I gueS$ so.

WILLIJI.MS JR .
We'll go ~ith D~ddy.
CUT TO:
150

EXT. HIGHWAY-' ·AN HOUR LATER

Long shot of Ricky's SUV as it drives down the rainy highway. Ricky drives very slowly and ten~atively with his hazards on. Cars ~ass him like crazy.

DISSOLVE TC:

151

EXT. RICKY'S BOYHOOD HOME - MORNING

MUSIC: Ronnie Milsap song fades out.

Ricky, with two pieces of luggage and the boys in tcw, knccks on a door. Lucy, Ricky's Morn, opens the door.

LUCY BOBBY
Ricky? Is everything alright?
HANK
You better have TiVo.
WILLIAMS JR
You look old Granny.
RICKY
Morn.
(pained half beat)
I got nowhere to go •..
CUT TO:

••:;:•:::.· · -···.

152

INT. SPEED WEEK STUDIO - DAY

The anchors of Speed Week are in tht:~iddl~ of a show.

SPEED WEEK ANCHOR tl. .. Well, all of the.. tafk.:::a.:at~·lY in Nascar is about-·:J.he -~l!'erg~frjce of Jean Girard as the circ-μit' s best driver.

SPEEi/\h:-EK .ANCHOR #2 It certainly is Pet·~-. Jean has wen four ·o.f h i s .: l ast five races .. .

153

EXT. VICTCRY LANE - B~)'· .

..: • ' ....

Jean is h6li~rig u~ : a · gold trcphy while the crowd cheers him.

154

.. SPEED T~EEK ANCHOR #1 (V.O.)

... and is even bringing a new kind of fan to Nascar.

We iee a PREPPY COUPLE in the stands eating wine and cheese. The HUSBAND smokes a pipe and the WIFE has a sweater tied around. · her neck.

PREPPY W!FE Go wide F'in open 53 car!

The Hardcore Fan from earlier gives them a Bud. He a l so has a sweater tied around his neck.

60

HARDCORE FAN
Hey Dr . Nathansen, how bout this race? C'est tres bien, non? Quelle voiture ! Incroi - able!

SPEED WEEK ANCHOR #2 (V.O.} But the reaction of Jean's fellow drivers hasn ' t been so warm.

156

EXT. GARAGE - DAY

Cal Naughton Jr is being interviewed. .·. . . .. .

' . • 4 •• , • :-..-. CAL NAUGHTON JR. No I wouldn't say the situation has gotten ugly. We just want this ·: ·:;.· piece of (BEEP) Frenchie .to 90 . baik~ ~-. to his (BEEP) - hole count~Y.·

157

_, '\

INTERVIEWER Boy Cal, that sure -=sounds··.ugly.

cAL NAU~H;;~:,'JrtL ·· Well that's ca use you'ie quotingme out of context. · ,,

.. INTERVIEWER You' r~:-6n camera Cal'. I'm ::1ot quotiri~~you ~ Say what you want.

158

INT. SPEED WEEK STUDI&, ·

·= · . SPEED WEEK ANCHOR #1 ~~~ l anyway y o u slic e it, it's cl~~~that Jean Girard is the man right now . And unless there's a driver out there who can beat him, his reign could la s t for quite awhile .

159

EXT. STREET IN HIS HOME TOWN - LATER THAT DAY

Ricky is driving nervously with a stack of pizzas on his passenger side seat and a Dominos sign on top of his car.

As he tries to read an address, he clips a parked car, ripping t he fender off.

RICKY
Ah, hump me!

,I

Immediately we see flashing red lights of a police car behind him. Ricky pulls over. The OFFICER writes him a ticket.

160

EXT. SUPER MARKET PARKING LOT - DAY

Ricky is backing out of his spot in front of the pizza place. He backs into a shopping cart being pushed by a HOUSEWIFE, sending it flying out of frame.

HOUSEWIFE
Oh my God! Aaah!
161

EXT. SUPER MARKET PARKING LOT -

The OFFICER from before finishes giving Ricky. _a ti.dket.

OFFICER ..::, This is your second violation in two hours. Are you alright?

RICKY / . . ... . .. .. No sir, I'm not·,. But l promise it won't happen agaln .

Ricky then backs into 'the·: ·:p·olice officer knocking him into the air.

OFFICER
Son you migh~ w~nt to hand over that licen~e.

Ricky hands_ hi_in ·his license in Slo. Mo.

162

INT. BUS - NIGHT

Ricky steps onto the bus holding three large pizzas, puts tckehs into the counter and takes a seat. No one really locks at h i m, except for one passenger.

RICKY
(to passenger)
I lost my license. ~•m delivering pizzas.
PASSENGER
I don't really care.
CUT TO:
163

EXT. LUCY'S HOME - TWO HOURS LATER

Ricky comes riding up to his house on a kid's BMX bike with a pizza on the back. There's a limo parked in front of the house. Cal Naughton Jr. gets out.

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
· I never thought I'd live to see this day, Ricky Bobby on a bicycle.

RICKY . .,. Hey Cal, what the hell you doing here?

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Look Ricky I'm going to make thfs ··-... short, you and I never l~ked eac~ __,. ·•::,:- other. And I guess you kp9w by nciw that me and Carley fooled·: _a,round :. many a night. · ·.•.···

RICKY / /\\:·:.;\:::::,.-.... :: No Cal, I didn't> know .:that-:::

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
(his v6.ice:/ gits high pitched) ', =::-_ .. Well, _:it's _good yoti'-'·\::!idn't know it becaus(;-:. I just made it up. It's a lie, a fun lie• ':· I like to tell fun li~~ so ih~t wi can have a laugh. •. .•
RICKY
-~~y · is Youi voice gettin' all high?
CAL NAUGHTON JR.
°(back to normal) Here's the deal Ricky: that F~ench bastard is ruining our sport. You get back on the track and together we can take him out.
RICKY
I'm done Cal. I don't drive no more. Hell, I don't even have a license.

Ricky starts to walk away.

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
I knew it Ricky! You're a coward! A stone cold coward! {MORE)
CAL NAUGHTON JR. (cont'd)
You're a disgrace to every driver on the circuit!

Cal spits on the ground.

Ricky sheepishly walks back to the house •.. a broken man. Naughton, looking pissed off, makes his way back to the limo only to see the LIMO DRIVER in the middle of the street urinating.

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Hey man, what are you doing?!

.... . ·

164

INT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Lucy was watching the exchange bet;;;i~p Ricky and Cal through the front window. ··· ·: ::·

DISSOLVE TO:
165

EXT. MOTEL - THE NEXT .DAY

Ricky rings the bell on a dingy- locking mote l room. After a beat an OLDER MAN,· 61, with a ·. scraggly beard in his boxers opens the door. He's sipping from a long neck .

167

THAT' 11 BE·· E,LE!VEN NINETY- 1:HREE.

::... OLDER MAN Hold on.· Let me find my damn wallet. Corne on in.

The man looks through the mess of his room while ~icky still s t ·ands at . the door.

OLDER MAN {CONT'D) Either close the door or come in! I got weed in here covboy!

Ricky steps in and closes the door.

OLDER MAN (CONT'D)
(while looking for his walletj You didn't actually take a bus here to deliver this pizza, did you cowboy?
RICKY
Sure did. That'll be eleven ninety- three.
OLDER MAN
I always thought a real Nascar driver would rather die than ride a bus.
RICKY
Well I'm retired.

OLDER MAN :.<- Funny. I heard you were re-pussied :·• -:· · -.:. You're not doing too good are you cowboy?

RICKY
Hey stop calling me cowQ9y!

Rickysees that he's got three une~'.;t•t J)izzason the table.

168

:•·. . ::-...

You know y:~c::t: ~-~:•~'t =!frri~ite~ pizzas just sittin' hei;~.

0LDE~:_: Mf:\N Well I've . been cal,;I,,ing all day trying ~to get you. They kept sendiriSJ::,: ot!}.er. deli very people.

·· •-:. RICKY Tryin.'.: to :g¢~ me? Why? ... .

169

:,_ . OLDER M.2\N

Cit-use I' -~ -- your daddy. That:' s why.

He continues td look for his wallet.

RICKY
< · What'd you say?
OLDER MAN
I said I'm your Daddy. I'm Reese Bobby Sr. Me and your Mom did it in a Rustler Steakhouse bathroom and then you showed up. Does that make sense cowboy?

Ricky steps right at him and punches him in the jaw. He falls back into a bureau.

OLDER MAN (CONT'D )
Okay. So are we straight now?
RI CKY
You stay the hell away from me you hear? I don't know who the he l l you are or what you want bu t I a i n't got nothing left to take!

Ricky leaves as his Father ye l ls after him.

I NT . LUCY'S KITC!-!EN - LATER THAT NIGHT

Ricky and Lucy are in the 1-::itche.1. Ri~ky is emotiona l and furious.

RICKY .
I can' t believ& it! ! r hi~ -i s the last thin g I need now! How cou l d he have found me!!? ·

A dog begins to bark i n the ~jstance.

:....UCY BOBBY I called him.

RICKY
Bhat? ! ~Why would you do t hat Mama?
LUCY
I know he's a son of a bitch. But Ricky, you nee d h e lp . You deliver pizza on a bus. You're better than this a nd if there's one thing that se l fish bastard knows, it's dr i ving.

Hank and Williams J r enter wipi ng sleep ou t of t heir eyes .

HANK
He y! Shut up in here!
WILLIAMS JR .
One of you t~rds is gonna ge t smac ked i n the mouth !
RICKY
Hey! I'm your dad! Stop yelling at me! You're seven years old!

There is a light knock at the back door. It is Ricky's Dad now in a Member's Only jacket and white T- shirt .

REESE BOBBY
Hey Lucy.
LUCY
Don't talk to me. This is between you two.
REESE BOBBY
Look son, I saw what happened to you on the television. You sa~' th•, fear. It happens to all of us. ·: :· ·:/•:.\ :
RICKY
Get the hell out of my home~·
LUCY
It ' s my house .• .;

The OLD MAN next door.. leans,. . out his window and yells.

170

·.. •:: ..

ELDERLY.MAN (O.C. ) You people shut th~ ·hell up! I got a wife ,in a~ oxygen tent try!ng to sleep!

H~NK Go sbave yo~r bal l s you dusty old fart!!!

More dogs begin tc bark in the neighborhood.

REESE BOBBY
· You wanna race again. Just admit it.

Ricky -:Bobby is silent .... but the dogs keep barking.

REESE BOBBY
You got unfinished business.
RICKY JR.
No I don't! I got a trophy that says l won the Daytona 500. They can't never take that away from me!
REESE BOBBY
So where is it?
RICKY
Carley took it away from me!
LUCY
He's the Devil Ricky but he can drive.
(and then)
Shut those damn dogs up!!

REESE BOBBY . : : ·: Look, Ricky ... I'm fifty- nine years old and all I got to my name is a car and a duffle bag full of · :: ___ underwear and sweet, stinky weed:··. I_ need this. I screwed up raising yoti' as a boy, let me at least{_h.elp you as a man.

Everyone goes silent, wait for Ricky's response.

REESE BOBBY -(CONT 'D)
Please .... l~t ~e help yo~: .. ······ . ..· ,• - -~ HANK Do it Dad. ~et your·:balls back. Go fast tig-~_in . .- ·-.

:RICKY Are y~u boys ' iure?

171

·· ·: . .

.. WILLIAMS JR. Sute as a trip to the top of shit mountain.

RICKY
_Fine. Bu~ I ain't gonna call you Dad.
REESE BOBBY
What are you going to call me?
172

EXT. DESERTED STREET - SATURDAY MCRNING

Ricky and his Dad stand facing his Dad's muscle car.

RICKY
Alright Dickweed, so what's the plan?
REESE BOBBY
Now basi cally what happened to you is that you saw the fear. And before you even think of doing any real driving you gotta make friends with ~he fear. So get in the car.

Ricky punches his Dad in the jaw.

REESE BOBBY
What the hell was that?
RICKY
I got a lot of unresolved anger towards you. So that might just happen sometimes. .. _

Ricky gets in the car . He hears a terrible ·~;ii-·6~:l,,··andturns around to see a COUGAR IN THE BACK :: SEAT. +:mmedfatelyRicky jumps out of the car and slams t.he \ dp:~r .

RICKY .-··-.: . What the hell!! Ahlffri'-!:! The r e' ·s a goddamn cougar ,-in th·e ..ca=.trl!

REESE BOBBY
I know there·'· s ·a; : cougar in the car! I put it •in there L·:You gotta l earn t o drive with the f'e=ar. And there is not~ing more God damn frightening than driving with a li v~ coug~~ in the car . .... RICKY ~~~at's just stupid! I could've been ki~led. Where'd you get that thing?
REESE BOBBY
I trapped it. Been keeping it in my bathroom at the Motel. Feedin it old pizza. Now you get back in that car! You hear me!
RICKY
I'm not gettin' in that car!!
REESE BOBBY
Listen to me! If you're calm, that wondrous big cat will be calm . But if you're scared, that beautiful death machine wi l l do what God made it to do. Namely, eat you with a smile on its face!

Beat as Ricky mulls this over. He takes a couple really deep breaths.

RICKY
So it really won't hurt me if I'm calm? Okay, okay .... here goes. Ah!! Here I 90 ... Ah!

Ricky opens the door and immediately the cougar leaps on top of him, knocking him to the ground, mauling him.

RICKY
AWWWW! ! He's on me!!! He's gonna eat me!!
REESE BOBBY
Relax son! ! Control your heart:''. > :: · rate!!
CUT TO:
173

INT. LUCY'S LIVING ROOM- LATI I ( :•,'FHAT .•DA~: ..

.. : ··~ .. ...,.,:.::::~::•.::.

Lucy is washing dishes.Ri.cky e~t¢_rs . l'ooking like hell.

LUCY/\:::.: . Hey Ricky~ So ho~~~:.it go?

~I<:;KY He'~ a ~ r~zy dirtbag and I'm pretcy sur~ I ' rn ~..-a sting my time. Where' re

175

..: :-:·.

······:.:::::.. ·=:.'.,. . LUCY Th~y•re at Bible study at my chtir:ch, .

176

WE . SEE HANK AND WILLIAMS JR GO RUNNING BY ACRCSS THE BACK

yard..

HANK
Devil Dick!!! Devil Dick!!!
WILLIAMS JR.
Good one Hank!!! I gotta remember to call granny that!
LUCY
What ir. tarnation?

Lucy flies out the door. The two boys have gotten a hold of Lucy's garden hose and are spraying it through the neighbor's open window. We hear the screams of the Elderly Man inside the house.

ELDERLY MAN (0.C.)
What the hell??!! Ahhh! ! God, that water's cold!!!
WILLIAMS JR.
Enjoy your shower, you old crab apple!
HANK
I hope you catch pneumonia and die!!
LUCY
That's it! That is it! • :<.;:::·,·

Lucy turns the hose off. Grabs the ·c;l'ii/~9reri . by their hair. Ricky jogs over. ·'·:::·.·:

177

:,: •···:·

Now Mama-

LUCY·::. No Ricky I · No! I w1J,.l net have my grandchild:::-en behaving like filthy racco~ns! from now on you children wili obey the r.ules . .And if you do not . obey ·the r~les, you will pay the p~ice! · ~~derstood?

:-.: . HANK Sorry Granny, you're shit out of luck·.

WILLIAMS JR .

178

WE DO WHAT WE WANT.

Lightning fast, both of their faces get slapped.

HANK
(beat of awe)
You're going to break us like a wild horse, aren't you?
179

EXT. I...ITTLE DIRT OVAL TRACK - THE NEXT DAY

Ricky and his dad are standing by Ricky's car on a dirt oval track.

REESE BOBBY
So all I want you to do today is to go around this track once.

Ricky gets into the car.

RICKY
Alright. How fast?
REESE BOBBY
Not fast. Slow. Real slow. I want you to literally take all day to do ,;. one lap.
RICKY
What?

REESE BOBBY .•.•, .. : : .. : , ,: • I want you to go as slow ;'.\c1s you ....,.· can. Like you' re making to\l:e to ··:·. Reba McEntire and you wartn;i\ savo.i::: it . ·:. ··::>· .

RICKY.··· . <t_,:':',t:\::.,~:. How's this gcnna··.help ''me ge·t over the fear? '

REisi•~ossY This aiti't about fi~t; this is about ·J~aching you that the pedal to the· me~al ai~'t all there is. ' .. ,•

Ricky pulls awa.y as s·l_ow as he can .

180

:.:: :,•.

·<::: RICKY L'i'Ji~ th i i?

REESE BOBBY
Slower! You should know every inch of Reba by the time you're done. With eve~ything good in life you gotta go slow before you can go fast.

MUSIC CUE: Sultry Reba McEntire song.

TIME LAPSE: the sun gcing up and then starting to fall. We see R~cky crawl around the track at a snail's pace .

It's dark as Ricky crosses the finish line. He ge~s out and collapses.

REESE BOBBY
You did good today Ricky.
CUT TO:
181

EXT. SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY - DAY

Hank and Williams Jr. are wearing orange mesh vests while cleaning up trash off the side of the highway. L~cy waits in her car.

WILLIAMS JR.
How much more of this Granny?
LUCY
I don't know. How many more tirrie·:r . '·.• . are you going to give th~ finger to··-: =:: :.•· a Marine? ·, · ·.....
182

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY\ .:,,.

·<:.-:··:.::::::::•:.:..: :·

Ricky is behind the wheel··'ti th a: .. bi'.indfcld on. His :iad is next to him in the passeng~r seat j

Ri tfi-.::·· ; .. This is c·razy. I c'a;n,'.t see.

REESE BOBBY
Don.'..t ymt get i;t? You drive with yc.itfr . hear·t.::not' your eyes. New feel . the road. Let . it live inside you . . ...::,Can.,you , {eel. J. t? ·=

Ricky inhale~ deeply.

RICKY
I think I can . ..
REESE BOBBY
Now drive ...

Ricky puts the car into drive and proceeds to wreck into every parked car and tear across every lawn on the street . It ends with the car crashing into someone's house.

REESE BOBBY
This was a bad idea. You definitely drive with your eyes.
RICKY
I really thought I could feel it.
183

INT. LUCY'S BEDROOM - THAT NIGHT

Lucy is reading to Hank and Williams J~. They are asking her questions. We see she is reading them Faulkner's The Bear.

WILLIAMS JR.
But doesn't the bear symbolize the old South and the new dog, the encroaching North?
HANK
Duh! But the question is,should the reader feel relief orsadness at the passing of the oldSouth?
LUCY BOBBY
How about both?

HANK ·::_' ;: (getting it) . - . Ahh! . . . I get it, ~◊ral ambiguity! The hallmark of ~11 :~arly .~weri~ieth Century ~.merican fict~9n ! :: .:.

184

EXT. LUCY'S BACL\.'YARD .:::THE ,NEXT DAY

Ricky is asleep in a hammock. · suddenly a bucket of wate:: is thrown onto R!ck~'s f~~e. He awakes with a start to find h~~ dad with if- beer i'n::J:iand standing over him.

Ah!

REESE BOBBY
Where' .d stock car racing come from?
RICKY
What?

His dad throws another bucket of water on him.

RICKY
What the hell man?!
RICKY'S DAD
How'd stock car racing get its start?
RICKY
The rum runners during prohibition! They'd have to have cars fast enough to outrun the Feds. And then they started racing each other.
REESE BOBBY
That's right.

His Dad throws another bucket of water on him.

RICKY
Ah! If I was right why'd you throw . . -:: ..· ...·.. another bucket on me?

REESE BOBBY '.::.. · Cause I filled up three. Now there's nothing like dri.~ing to avoid jail. Nothing hon~f~your : instincts and mind like nec~ssity.

We hear sirens in the distanc:e ~:

..•.:~::.:-~::.::\: -\ REESE \ BOBBY~ ' so I taped a kilo of cdcaine underneath . ye>ur 9ar and called the boys in Qlue :· 'i'he::.~ay I figure it you got. fiio minutes.,:.pefore they show ~p and you do five to ten. Yesterday we went slew. Today we go fas1::. · · ....

Ricky flies ct:t ''of th.e: hamrncck and ir.to the front yard where his car i ·s :-si 'tt:i.ng:.>, It's a l ready running .

185

. RICKY

You ~ick crazy old-

Wei'..can see the cop cars down the street. Ricky has no choice. He ·jqmps in the car and tears off.

Reese. watches as Ricky drives off. Hank and Williams Jr come up to· him.

HANK
Grandpa, would you like to take us fishing and tells us life lessons and stories of your childhood?
REESE BOBBY
I got another idea, why dcn't you boys go dig a hole and I'll have a beer.
186

EXT. HIGHWAY - THIRTY SECONDS LATER

Ricky is tearing ass onto the freeway with three CO? cars behind him. He is driving very fast and very skillf~lly to get away.

RICKY
Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch.

Ricky looks down at the speedometer to see he's go1~.9 160 mph. .:.:, \/t,:,S:i:};~:}::·

RICKY
160? ... Whooo ! ! ! Whooo ! !

He hi ts a U- turn in the middle of the free~·~y:=,4μd• ·turns off an exit losing the cops completely.-: He's realli?clriving again.

187

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - FIVE MINTN,:¢-S : ..LA~ER . ·

We see a hand reaching un.der the.. c;::ar. It finds something.

RICKX :: . I gotcha ..

188

EXT. ~OUNTRY ROAD ..,_ CONTINUOUS

Ricky unwraps ··t)1e p~~kage to revea l a bag of Lucky Charms cereal, ~ith a ~ote ii it. It reads, "FEELS GOOD GOING FAST, DO~SN' T IT? BY THE WAY, DCN' T TRY AND SNORT THESE L'JCKY CHARMS."

RICKY
Okay ...

MUSIC~ Steve Earle's "I Feel Alright Now" kicks in.

189

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY

Ricky is driving his Dad's car with the live cougar seated next to him. Ricky looks confident and at ease, so does the cougar.

190

EXT. BACK YARD - DAY

Lucy has Hank and Williams Jr doing Tai Chi.

191

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY

Ricky drives by a kid sitting on the curb. He stops and when he pulls away ~he kid now has Ricky's BMX bike.

192

INT. CHURCH -DAY

Hank and Williams Jr are in a large choir singing perfect l y with angelic looks on their faces while Lucy watch.es on.

193

EXT. DMV OFFICE - MORNING

We see a sign that says Department of Motor Vehicles with a white line and a starting point for the ·dr.~ve_rs te:st. No car is there. Then after a beat we hear. screechi-n•g: :'~ires and Ricky blows into frame doing a side.1:'fays turn into a screaming s top . :,;;::::::

RICKY _../:" '· · There' s your Mother.: :f -1Jpp~i1' d r iving test . . .:·. · ··· ':':: ··.

We see a TERRIFIED OFFICER ~ext td~Ricky in the car with a clipboard. · ..···:::'i:

TERRIFIEh-:OFFICER Mr. Bql;>by. ,':_; you are magnificent. · · - •,, , • ..·

?he c o~gar po~s up from the back and growls.

,· TERRI FIED OFFICER

RICKY
Down i Karen! Down!
194

INT. ·DRIVER'S LICENSE PHOTO FLAT - FIVE MINUTES LATER

There~s a quick flash of Ricky getting his picture taken. He gives a wink.

MUSIC: OUT

195

EXT . RESICENTIAL STREET - TEN MINUTES LATER

Ricky and Reese are driving home.

REESE BOBBY
I think we need to celebrate. Heck. Let's go all out for once.
SMASH CUT TO:
196

INT. APPLEBEE'S RESTAURANT - THAT NIGHT

Close Up of a WAITRESS stepping into frame.

WAITRESS
Hello and welcome to Applebee's!

We see Lucy, Susan, Ricky, Hank, Williams Jr. and Reese Bobby sitting at a table. . ...

..••··· WAITRESS .·. \\::=•:/ _:: My name is Delly and I' 11 ._be yoμ.r server tonight.

HANK
Hello Ma'am.

WILLIAMS JR. · You look lov~l._Y this evening .

197

DOLLY ·····

Why thar.k you .

198

.

The table chuckles pleasantly.

RICKY

199

DOLLY,· TONIGHT IS A SPECIAL NIGHT

· -for the Bobby family.

WAITRESS
Well·don't you worry. I'll take care of you.

CLOSE UPS OF FOOD BEING PUT IN FRONT OF THE FAMILY - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

ALL
Mrnmm .• • that looks great ... fantastic ... thank you Applebee's~

Ricky bows his head to say grace.

RICKY
Dear Lord baby Jesus, in your swaddling clothes, laying in your ghost manger ... we have so much to be thankful for. First off, my boys no longer act like retarded _gang bangers, and also I have my balls back behind the wheel of a car. And now maybe I can win agair. and get back my wife Carley, whose warm bosom I still ache for deep within my lower half. But most of all we ·····--:. thank you for bringing my nasty . . ,: . ...... .. ···· ... delinquent, pot-dealing father back·:·,i·::, ·:::,.;?~<:;-:{:. to us. For he was lost, but now he · is found. Amen.
LUCY
That was beautiful. Excep~ for the part about Carley, which ·~as inappropriate. ·

HANK .. ,::tJ;: :· •,· ... ,·. What a lovely rtJe.al. . . .

WILLIAMS JR.
It certainly · do~.~:... look delicious.
RICKY . ...
Well I'll be damned if this isn't just about a perfect night.

Waitress pops by again ~ ·

WAITRESS
Hb~'s every one ever here?
REESE BOBBY
I hate to be a pain darlin', but I asked for no onions on my steak sandwich.
WAITRESS
I'm sorry, I must not have -
REESE BOBBY
Okay ... maybe don't interrupt me-
WAITRESS
I'm sorry I didn't mean to-
REESE BOBBY
Yeah, well I think you did mean to and I also think you meant to put the goddamn onions on my sandwich! Cause I think you're a nasty, nasty, little bitch!!!
RICKY
Dad, what's going on-
WILLIAMS JR.
Grandfather, can't we resolve this conflict without anger?
WAITRESS
(almost in tears) . Let me just get you a new sandwJch sir. We'll make this right. ·

REESE BOBBY ·\>.-,·.. . Why don't you tell us what, ·•:you' re really going to do ..-P.o).ly! ·-:x·o·i:.i~ ,i:;e going to go in tbe ba°c:k;.:..,.;smoke some reefer with the..-· pishwa.~heis: and come back out here and ·act like a dirty hocker! _! ! .... ,•. ·,··. .·....·

She leaves in tears~

RICKY
Da~_~hy are you •. doing this?! We've hadi a gr~i~ twd weeks!! : ,:· .-.:•,:,::·. .. . LUCY Y<;,,u · couldo' t handle it: could you Re~se? Things just got too good.
REESE BOBBY
I dcn't know what you're talking .about. I said no onions.

Managei walks up with crying waitress.

MANAGER
Folks I'm Jim Bohampton, the manager. Is there a problem?
REESE BOBBY
Oh Jim thank god you're here. This alleged woman who is part of your staff, came up to us, on what is supposed to be an evening of celebration and said, in front of !tlY grandchildren, "Would you like to see the specials?- She then proceeded to lift up her shirt and show us half a titty. ... WAITRESS Mr. Boharnpton I did no such thin~ ~·<=?\·,t·':;":~:::/).:.
RICKY
Look I apologize for this old man-
REESE BOBBY
I will never back down fz:om my ':•:.:· statement! '' :: ·· ....

Reese Bobby takes a sip from a· can of beer between his legs.

·. ':>' : ':, . .. ·. MANAGER Sir you are not allowed. to have that in here: I'm. going to have to ask you to le·av~.;::

REESE BOBBY
Jim here's .the deal. I am feelin' rascally ·. tonight and I'm not going a~ywhere. So le~'s lig~t this fuse and se.e ~•hat: ·happens.
SMASH CUT TO:
200

EXT. APPLEBEE'S RESTAURANT - MOMENTS LATER

Four ·muscular merr~ers of the Applebee's staff are throwing Reese Bobby out the front door. Ricky and the family are tryin~ to calm the situation.

REESE BOBBY
Noooo! Awwww! ! I'm a veteran and diabetic!! Applebee's has rats! I found a whole rat in my cobb salad! !

They throw him down into the parking lot. Reese Bobby gets up and storms off.

RICKY
Dad! Where are you going?

Ricky starts to chase after him.

LUCY
Let him go Ricky! He's damaged! He's got a broke soul!
REESE BOBBY
Get away from me Ricky! Let me go! Don't you get it! Your daddy is a live wire!
RICKY
Things were gcing good, werenr,t_ they?

They've stopped in the middle cf the road·.. Cars·:•are going by them with their headlights on . \t::\:.·.

REESE BOBBY .... .
That's exactly why.. t· ·:h~4:..tc bfow it up. I don't kno\ri; what , org:a:11 or bone people have that makes ,::them act right, but ! ~was born without it. I'm no good·,·'.'pl.ctio and simple . . .:•.. ... ~-·::~ . ... . ...· RICKY ··:/ Arhh! ,-·-:P,9n't:'you get it? All those rac;es t =:1n:on. Lt was all for you. I did :it j~it liXe you told me: If -you· ai._n't ·t~rst, you're last.
201

:. .REESE BOBBY

What're you talking about?

RICKY
What you told me on that day at school for Career Day ... if you ain't first, you're last.
REESE BOBBY
Ricky I was probably high when I said tha~. I mean, hell, thinking like that could set you up for a l~fe of poor choices and dangerous risk-taking.
RICKY
Oh my God ... ! can't believe I listened to you ...
REESE BOBBY
Look Ricky, I gotta go. I'm sorry. I really am.

Reese starts to walk off down the road.

RICKY
Hey Dad!

Reese stops.

RICKY
Why didn't you ever make it on the circuit?
REESE BOBBY
You wanna know why? Cause as good as you . Catch you, cowboy. ~- ·.•:· : ·:.·.. ' •

Reese walks off leaving Ricky alone i°>i· the middle of the road with motorists honking their_J\9_ns and· \,elling at Ricky.

:, =·:·::· ··.·.. ·

CUT TO:
202

INT. RICKY'S BOYHOOD ROOT.F ,..- .LATER THAT NIGHT

Ricky is laying in his childh6~d race car bed surrounded by pos.:ers of great :,dri v1frs from the early eighties . His Mom walks in.

,LOCY

203

..HEY RIC~Y. I MADE YOU SOME BISCUITS

~n~ ·gra~e soda. I thought it'd help you .relax.

RICKY
What I'~ I gonna do? Everything dad told me was crap. Now I got no reason to race.
LUCY
No reascn to race? Ricky let me show you something ...
204

INT . LI'JIN GROOM - .N. MINUTE LATER

Lucy stands by the mantle. There are some little trophies and certificates on it.

LUCY
I'm a lunch lady Ricky. It ain ' t much, but I do it as well as I can. Do you see these awards? I've won lunch lady of the year six straight years. And I don't win for you or for the school or to get my name in the paper. I win for me. Cause all we can do in this life is to try and be the best at what we do. And you were born to be a driver.
RICKY
But Mama. I don't know if I can b~ :··,-:_::·,: the best ... This Frenchman is good. I couldn't pass him.
LUCY
Then gofind out. And don't beat him foryour Dad or Carf~y-, or the sponsorsor because he's ~Fiench. Beat himfor~- . ·:::: : .
RICKY .
And if I lose?

LUCY · ·... You list~n to mt -Ricky. I'm the one who taught you to d~~ve stick shift~ I'm~he one ~ho tcok you to those go c~rt tracks and bought you you:r first. car / I raised you! I kno:,,,. _what :Y:ou can do! Now you just ..-:;: .+ace_ gopd and let the wi nnin' and ·•:::ios i n' fall \\:here it may!

_..., . RICKY (chuckles) I didn't knew you were lunch lady of the year ...

LUCY
I can serve three hundred kids potatoes au gratin in twenty minutes with a smile. New go get yourself a damn crew before I get emotional and this whole thing gets messy . . .
205

EXT. STRIP CLUB - DAY

We see a strip club off of a dirt road with a sign that reads, "SMOKEY'S HOUSE OF ASS - LIVE GIRLS NUDE, WED. FAMILY NIGHT."

CUT TO;

206

INT. SMOKEY'S HOUSE OF ASS - CONTINUOUS

We hear the voice of Lucius, Ricky's fcrrner . c~ew chief, as we see the stage. ·•.·. .•.. · :: · : ·: ·

LUCIUS (V.O.) .. .
Put your hands together and milke : :. ,. some noise for our next young lady.::<._: · · She looks to shake it arid:: sometimes · she likes to bake it, sh~~~ also. a mother of three , give it \ Jif -Jpr Ms. Jade or as I call he.r-., Hot: T6£.u !

We see an Asian stripper cime-::~:~'.~~·:,\!-he stage. There are seven drunks in the audience. Th~ song '\'fanarna" by Van Ha l en kicks in. From across the room. Lucius sees Ricky walk in.

·.. -: ',• :: .::· ...

207

.· ·· LUCIUS ··-::":.: ..··

I

Well l;..'"11 be grilled and served with hash b°rowns! Ricky Bobby as I li ye an·d:-b:rea th:! ·,'·:. •' •, ... . Ri.CKY .. ·:.l S\:~eal ..to God, if you were twenty ·years old"; · blonde and a woman, I'd ki"ss: you·i

T_hey laugh.

RICKY
But you're not. You're a fifty-yea:r- old, bald black man.

They hug.

LUCIUS
(laughing)
P.nd you are a stupid cracker! And I mean that! How you been old friend?
CUT TO:
208

INT. SMOKEY'S HOUSE OF ASS - LATER

Ricky and Lucius are having drinks at a table. During the entire length of their conversation, a stripper's bikini clad rump is positioned in between them and comes in and out of frame. They never acknowledge this in any way.

LUCIUS
So what brings Ricky Bobby to Smokey's House of Ass?
RICKY
I wanna race again Lucius.

Lucius gets up and offers his hand.

LUCIUS
It was good seeing you Rj.-.c:;ky • ..... :. :: :::: . RICKY .. .. I'm not foolin' Lucius. I got. my nerve back. :·. .~.. :·:•.•·.: ··.· ... .. LUCIUS It's good you got your rierve back but that's noF::ei:,'ough. This Fr en er.man' s the be'st I' ve ever seen. You gotta drive brave .and smart: ..:.

' RICKY I'v~ chan~ed· Lucius. I'll listen to you. •. I need · this. De you hear me? .I n~ed this, for me.

Beat as Lucius locks into Ricky's eyes.

LUCIUS
Alright then. Let me make some calls, get the team back together . Oh by the way, I almost forgot to tell you, I got married. This is my wife, Diane.

Lucius points to the ass that's shaking between them . We hear CIANE'S vcice from behind her shaking rump.

::>IANE (O.C.) It's very nice to meet you Ricky. I've heard a lot about you. How're the kids?

RICKY
Uh, they're good ... they, uh, grow up fast.
LUCIUS
Put your clothes on baby. It looks like we're going to Talladega.
CUT TO:
209

EXT. TALLADEGA SPEEDWAY - LATE MORNING

MUSIC: AWE INSPIRING

We pan over a road on a hill and see the _Talladeg~ Speedway off in the distance. Ricky's trailer with-· ac;t:t:_ in to·.., overtakes us and heads toward the race t.i::.ack~ ~-·:: ..:::.•.,

.. .:· ···t

210

-:❖.

We see Ricky squinting his eyes an8\ t,;lkinsf. in the mammoth speedway. •: ·:>..

•,

211

..:•·-::: .,

RICKY .. ·:.. ··...:::.:....... ·· Talladega. . . sQm=iehow··:•i£•:;,,i]~ays comes down to yoiJ,.. . •.•

• . ...

212

EXT. SPEEDWAY GARAGE - CONT"L:NP~)US

Ricky and his ne~ly r~assembled team are unloading their car from the back of ·the trai~er. It's covered wi th a tarp.

:H~RSHELL -<: Sure,:i's·good to be back Ricky. · wo.dti no~t the Midas Muffler is a i'ar .cryfrom all this ...

GLENN
Midas offers quality service and affordable prices. It's the Midas ·guarantee.
RICKY
I missed you dudes. Even Glenn .

They all laugh .

RICKY
And once I get Carley ba.ck, it all be perfect.

Awkward silence. Someone ccughs.

Ricky is then handed a cup of coffee. It's Susan.

SUSAN
Here you go Ricky.
RICKY
Susie! What a damn treat!
SUSAN
Ricky, you look great. ,. ·:

The car is off the truck.

,::'·-t}),:,::\?:::?r ::. RICKY Now the sponsors I got aren't high -~ end but they kicked in enough::,~?

Hershell p:::. u:h:h::v::r~~~ the c••·reve~:~~~'Jhe new sponsors: RAVEN THONGS FOR MEN; Jiiif ·E>-RIDEWQRTHY, AT'fORNEY AT LAW; FISHER PRICE GAS STATION PLAYSET'i. .THE :HULLMONT HIGH SCHOOL SKI CLUB; CATWOMAN ON .-DVD and DR> .LANE' s BATH SALTS FOR MENOPAUSE AND RACCOON BiifES\ •-: ;._.:.: : . ·.

HERSHELL
Raven Thongs_ _for ·rnen? A~rman.

-' .CREW . . This is embarrassing ... We're gonna be a j8ke .• ~ etc.

··. suSAN Hey! ·Ricky' bas worked his ass off to put , this ~ogether! What did you a11 · sign :•up for? Because I thought it· was all about racing! Yes, these are mangy sponsors but guess what? Their money's green like everyone else's. Besides, it's what inside that takes you to Victory Lane ... and if these stickers ain't pretty enough for you, then why don't you go back to working at the Pep Boys for six bucks an hour!!!

LUCIUS
Lit~le lady's right . Let's see what this baby's got under the hood.

They start to peek at the engine.

RICKY
Wow. I didn't know you could talk like that.
SUSAN
Hope I didn't say too much.

Susan blushes as Lucius lifts the hood to reveal the engine. It's a wreck. Some pieces are missing and it's a bit rusted.

HERSHELL
It looks like a giant robot took a dump! :. ·::·::-:•:- ·.. .·.. ., GLENN A wise man cnce said "Adversity is just opportunity with a bad ., haircut.ff ·

LUCIUS \:i+~:. ... This is diffici;lt for me ·io: · s_ay, but I agree with GJ.:.enn. L~:t' ·s:· get to work. ...,.:,·:-::.:::::}:::;=·:•.•:i:·. · ··-: ..:;_:<.

Ricky starts to walk away. ·.

SUSAN ·.::: Where' re. you going) .. Ricky? '• \':•:·

213

RICKY

I'm go~'ha go le•t Jean Girard know that I'm·cominc· for him. .... -. .

215

EXT. MASSIVE .GREEN MEADOW - LATER

J~an Girard, an ASIAN MAN in a white suit and two GORGEOUS MODE.LS all recline en a large, white blanket eating gourmet cheese and fruits while drinking wine. Ricky walks up as they just finish their conversation. He's being escorted by Jean's fashionable personal ASSISTANT, who is dressed like a bellhop at the Chateau Marrnont.

JEAN GIRARD
.... mais je l'ai dit ce n'est pas le terr.pf porte un chapeau!

Eve:::-ycne laughs :::-eally hard.

ASSISTANT
Monsieur Girard, Ricky Bobby is here to see you.
JEAN GIRARD
Oh monsieur Bobby, thank you Bacco.
RICKY
You're a tough man to find, you know that buster?
JEAN GIRARD
The day before a race I like to stay away from the track. Plus, Gregory needs room to train his world class shepherds.

We see Gregory way off in the distance training.-:t,is shepherds with intricate whistles and hand copqnands •.: ··

JEAN GIRARD
Would ycu care for ; ~ ~fan 6£ L~pkada or a stripend of Busl<?:·.:,:,_,·_:... _

RICKY ·. Honestly I don't know wha·t a stripend of auik~is. ·•... •'• •... ,lEAN GIRA:Rb It's v.~ry s i mple. It's liquefied Cilsias mixed in a broth of Ar~ithen and M~trovine .

216

. .: ., RI CKY

-::. : (ccrifused) o~ ~right,· yeah, I' l l take one cf those: bad boys.

Ricky is handed what looks like a massive conch shell with an ear of corn sticking out of it . He sLarts to try and put his mouth .on it, thinks better of it and then just holds it.

RICKY
This is good ...
JEAN GIRARD
I'm being so incredibly rude. This is my dear friend world famcus cellist Yo-yo Ma.
YO-YO MA
Hello Mr. Bobby. I l oved your come- from-behind win in the Phoenix 400.
JEAN GIRARD
And this is Breeze.
RICKY
Which one of you is Breeze?
MODELS
Together we are Breeze.
JEAN GIPARD
Walk with me Ricky Bobby.

They walk off.

RICKY
Alright man, look. I just came. to tell you that I'm coming for y~u. ,_ __ ':-: tomorrow. And I don't know what's:. -:···,;':\':.-.;.· gonna happen, as far as,. -first, ... .. ·: second or third place. Bμt ,.. I'm going to put my heart out 6~.;_tha·t, track and you better. be readf to deal with it. · ·-···· · ··

JEAN · GIRARo··.. Tres bien Ricky Bobby.Tres bien. (and theri}:- -.-.· Do you know the ·re·a.sonI came to America?

: RICKY Money, fcime, the giant water parks ... the.same reasons everyone

217

COMES · TO P..RNEI:ICA?

JEAN GIRARD
No.~- came here, for you to beat me.
RICKY
What the hell are you talking about?
JEAN GIRARD
My husband Gregory and I , wish only to retire and train dogs in Stockholm. But before I can do that I must be defeated by a driver who is truly better than I am. You are the one Ricky Bobby. You can defeat me.
RICKY
So you'~e going to lose on purpose?
JEAN GIRARD
No. I will battle you with the entirety of my being. And you will probably lose.
RICKY
Wow. This is like The Highlander.

We hear Gregory's whistle in the distance as the German Shepherds stand on their hind legs and make ,;1,~~rcle.

JEAN GIRARD
They are beautiful animals, non?

RICKY ~ Those are fine dogs. I'm;~ot going to argue with you. ;:::::.=- . : ,, ·•.•:·.· JEAN GI~~D But make no mistake/ about :i,t,· ·::inuch like me, those animals ···tt1i turn into vicious ki l.lers \Jhen ·the proper command is. given ~.. For me, it is the star-t/ f,1 9g·, For them, i t is a random+y chaser{ cpmmand word.

218

.. · ·. .

..' RICKY Sc li°k:i j _j.{ ;;ou. say "fire hydrar.t " they migh~ go crazy?

..... ·· ·.. J'EP.N GIRARD ·· ::·JJow ·•=ctid·:.y.pu know that word? ! I ask ydu, how ·:did you know that word?!

In an ir.stant we see the dogs stop, turn, snar l and break out into a full speed gallop.

RICKY
That was just an example. Hey lock, they're running over here.
JEAN GIRARD
That was the word! You said the word! They are coming for you Ricky Bobby!!

We see the dogs, barking madly, running directly for Ricky.

RICKY
How did they hear me? They're a hundred yards away!
JEAN GIRARD
They are dogs! They have the good hearing!
RICKY
(starting to panic)
What should I do!? I can't outrun them! ! What should I do! ! !
JEAN GIRARD
Do not panic! The one who gave the attack command must give the ·heel command word.

The dogs are getting close. :rh:ey__ are·-. goi:ng to eat Ricky Bobby.

•' . JEAN GIRARD Rhin-a-cer-.rey~..- .·it is French for rhinoceros. · ·. :· ·-:::·.:'..

RICKY
Rhir.oc,;;(;·cs !-'! · Rhinoceros! ! Why aren't th~y stqpping?! .. ·:: . ·.. .

The d:>gs are sti'll comH1g.

219

JEAN GIRARD

Yd~ ~ust do the c~rrect proriquncement. Rh1n-os -se-rey.

RICKY
Rhine-nay- cer - rae ! ! Rhine-nay-cer- rae ! ! !

The dogs are really close.

JEAN GIRARD
Non!! Ycu must lay your tongue flat for the third syllable ... watch: rhine -r.os-cer-rey.
RICKY
Rhine-nos-cer-

The dogs go to leap on him to attack.

RICKY
... rey ! !

Instantly the dogs become like puppies.

JEAN GIRARD
(fighting to catch his breath} Tres bien Ricky Bobby .... if they would have ... gotten a hold of you ... they would have made your face ... a bloody, horror show. : ...:..·:•.:·'• •, • :·.:-... RICKY (also out of breath)
So anyway ... God that was scary_,:_ : I' 11 see you ... on the . ....,.:, track ... to~orrow ... and I'll be ' giving you all I got. \\,, ..
JEAN GIRARD
Yes youwill Ricky,::.1¼9.bby. Yei,,.you will. ····\.>-=,t:;:::::=:::::i· .
220

INT. RICKY'S TR~ILER :-- !HAT:, NIGHT .

·--::::-::•,· :.,.::·..·....

Ricky and his sons :are watchlng: -TV on the foldout bed . lt is the Speed Channe l ~

.. . HOST :OF SPEED WEEK of·· course': \ever~ione knows the favorite t6~orrow for the Talladega .. :,,·.500 .is ..:,,Jean Girard. He has simply · ·c1orrd.nated. this season. But there are: also · several smaller stories floating around this race and one of them is the return of Ricky Bobby, who disappeared from the circuit almost six months ago.

HANK
They're talking about you Daddy!
HOST CF SPEED WEEK
Unfortunately it looks to be a sad return as Ricky simply doesn't have the smarts, the nerve or the car to compete. Let's just hope this tragic and emotionally damaged driver doesn't hurt anyone . . .

Ricky turns off the TV with the remote.

RICKY
That ' s enough TV for tonight.
WILLIAMS JR .
Don't pay any attention to him Daddy.
HANK
Oh my Gosh, look at the time. It's past our bed time. We'd better retire for the evening.

•.....

HANK ... . .
Daddy, even though we ' ll b.¢ . proud of you tomorrow no matter.· what .. ; .. win . .,· · .:: " WILLIAMS JR. Yeah daddy, win. :
CUT TO:
221

EXT. TALLADEGA SPEED\O]AY - THE NEXT DAY

The massive crowd is ,jilling up the stands as the ca=s are wheeled oμt onto the track .

FOX ANNOUNCER (V. 0. )
Ladies and Gentlemen, pull up a chai:: , drop the kids off with their aunt and take the phone off the hook, because it is race day here at the Talladega Speedway!
222

EXT. PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS

Ricky and his team are gathered around the car by pit row. The team looks exhausted .

LUCIUS
These boys were up all night working on this engine.
RICKY
I sure appreciate it. Now let's see what we got.

Ricky pops the hood revealing a gleaming , impressive engine .

RICKY
Hot - dog. It's l ike looking up Pam Anderson's s kirt .
GLENN
Ricky, it's like your Excalibur, the mighty sword King Arthur used·.•'••·· :· ~--· · ... to bring together the Knights of the Round Table until Lancelot betrayed him by laying with his gueen . .. in a biblical sense. · ·• ❖•

The crew just stares at him , awkwa;:dly . Someone·coughs.

CUT TO:
223

··· · .::: :

224

EXT. SPEEDWAY PIT ROW - RAC:E. . TIME·::\ :\\··: . •,

All the drivers and their crews stand by their cars. Keith Doby finishes the natib"rial ::anthem.

·-:- . .. KEITH DOBY ..• THlf·.LAND .OF THE FREE AND THE' HOi~E OF-- THE BRAVE so ~o HOME _you. ·LrBER.~L HIPPY TERROflST l~.QVERS ! ! !

A Nascar bi+ic:i.al :once again runs over to Keith .

225

· . , •

NASCAR OFFICIAL That~s it! You're banned!!

KEITH DOBY
Go tell it to your friend Sadaam!

Ricky ·.starts to walk back to pit row when Carley comes up.

CARLEY
Ricky I need to tal k to you.
RICKY
Oh, Carley I missed you so much. Whe~e's John Daly?
CARLEY
He's gone Ricky.
RICKY
I knew it! We're going to get back together again.

Cal Naughton walks up.

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Hey Ricky, I see you met my lady. Or did you two already know each other?

They're holding each other.

RICKY
Oh you gotta be kidding me!?
CARLEY
It's not how it seems. We. just··: =-.::\:.. happen to live together 4nd have--~' ···•: =,· lot of sex. :-:•· :- . ·;:\:-.,. CAL NAUGHTON JR:: .. Sorry Ricky, but _.if =::-_f t.:~~-~ -~ Porsche with the keys i.n::: it, ·,.l t ·a=ke. it for a spin. You have _a goo"d·:. race, you hear? · ~ . .. . ... . .

Ricky just stares as they~~~~ gff with each other's hands in their back pockets~

·,•, · RICKY Ah/.-.:1 thin~ I'm:· gonna cry ... I'm fight·in' it=~:.. it's start in' to come ,..: t;p through my throat .... around the ·sid~s of '. my eyes ... it's hard to ff"ght it:

Susan comes up, ~·grabs him by the arm and pulls him ~y the arm.

SUSAN
Listen to me. Don't worry about them, that's teenage soap-opera crap. Now I talked to Lucius and had him locsen up the car, so that you could do some driving. Watch Girard in the turns, that's when he likes to make his pass.
RICKY
How did you get like ~his?
SUSAN
Three years of bring people coffee at a racetrack, you learn something about driving. Now let's go!!
226

EXT. SPEEDWAY PIT CREW - A FEW MINUTES LATER

P.A . ANNOUNCER
Drivers ... start your engines!

We see Ricky behind the wheel of his car. His engin~ revs to life.

RICKY
This is it ...
LUCIUS
"It" with a God damn capi:~al Ricky Bobby.

MUSIC: RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL:::kicks . in-:: ha!'."d and powerful .

227

··.·=:···· :' . ·::

RACE MONTAGE: STYLIZED AN_D::=:MUSlC::\noE!O-ESQtJE

1. Jean Girard looks iqto h}.. s rear view mirror and makes eye contact with Ricky. They--:'n9t

228

~:

2. The green flag waves and the cars explode with speed.

3. SLOW MOTION: The. crowd:.cheers.

4. Two cars wipe out:.'·:: :···

5. Cal Naughton Jr=···taps the back bumper cf Girard' s car.

6. SLOW MOTIONi Ricky swerves for a second and then regains control.

7. :SLOW MOTION: Lucius yelling.

LUCIUS
Ricky ! !!!

8. We see the Spotter with binoculars finishing a cigarette high up over the track.

9. SLOW MOTION: A car goes off the wall. Ricky dodges the wreck expertly.

10. SLOW MOTION: Ricky's sons and his Mom cheer him on.

11. Ricky passes several cars. His face is pouring with sweat.

12. Ricky pulls in for a pit stop. His crew performs expertly. He high fives Hershel! on his way out.

13. Close up of Ricky's wheels turning and screeching.

MONTAGE ENDS: MUSIC OUT

LUCIUS
Alright Ricky that's one lap down, two hundred and thirty-four to go-(:\:.::_·•::
RICKY
Boy that felt like more than 6n.e lap. You sure that was only orii· -~~·,• • ·. ·. ' lap?

LUCIUS \/\:., Let me double check ... ye~h ·-:that was one lap. And becaus'e ,:.9f that :':.:.: unneeded pit stqp yo1..ii't-~f'.i-tr thirty- first place. Coin~ on Ri._cky) let' s shake a tail feather! ~

CUT TO:

· •.•.. .· ..

TV COVERAGE - FOX\ .

We see the race_ cove·x;~:F· _.on TV with announcers and graphics .

230

· ":- FOX ANCR #1

Jean Gir~rd, driving from the pole, is·i~ut t6 a big lead.

FOX ANCR #2 As you know he's been doing that ' all year. Earlier today we asked him what has been his secret to success.

CUT TO:
PRE-TAPE PACKAGE
~estimonial with Jean Girard in studio limbo.
JEAN
My secret to success? It is simple. It is my lover and husband Grego~y.
(MORE)
JEAN (cont'd)
Whether he is tickling my feet in the bubble bath or wearing the funny hats to make me laugh, he teaches me to not be so serious with life. And when the darkness comes he holds me and whispers "I am here for you Jean. I am here for you."
SMASH CUT TO:
TV COVERAGE - NBC
FOX ANCR #1 I'll be honest, a few months ago that would have weirded me out, ..but at a certain point you just have :t~,,- commend them for having a· lovitig .-: ···•:'·.:. relationship. ·)::.

FOX ANNOUNCER #2 -. -:· I'm still a bit we(rqe_d out by it, but darnni t , tha_t guy. ·can::-race.

CUT TO:
231

INT. RICKY' S CAR - ·CONTINUOUS C:: .

• : I' , ·. :-.• :FOX ANCR #1 Now . let•~ take~ look at Ricky Bobby in th_~. . nu.-rnber 28 car.

We see th~ camera from over Ricky's shoulder showing the t!"ack and cars around him. Ricky leans in and looks at the camera.

RICKY
Hey, how's it going America? It's good to be back .
232

Z\NCR #1

Boy, he should really keep his eyes on the road. That is dangerous.

RICKY
I wanna say hi to my boys, Hank and Williams Jr. How you doin' fellas?
233

EXT. P!T ROW - CONTINUOUS

Lucius, furious, speaks to Ricky on the headset.

LUCIUS
Dammit Ricky! Stop looking into the damn camera! Stay focused. You hear me?
234

INT. RICKY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

RICKY
Sorry Lucius! I lost my head.

We see Ricky Bobby start to pass some cars.

·... FOX ANCR #1 ·. ·:· Ricky Bobby in the Thongs for Men car is making a big move. He'·s moved up from twenty-sixth to :-. ':-.:.:..:: . twelfth place. And now let's go to ·::-:: .:. ::. John Hannafin, who's in ;t:he stands ··· with a country music l eg:ifnd. ... . ·.:·· :

235

EXT. STANDS - CONTINUOUS

JOHN ~NNAFIN is in the stands ;\u:ro~-~ded by beer drinking fans.

JOHN .HANNAfIN Thank you Sean. I'v~· got country music- ·~tar. Kenny Rogers here with me, .

\~e see a HALF ..ASIAN OLDER MAN with a beard a:1d a cowboy hat. seated i .n ··: the s6fods. At best he vaguely looks like a half- Asian -~eriion· '6f K~nny Rogers.

JOHN HANNAFIN
Kennt, what do you think of the race so far?
HALF ASIAN OLDER MAN
It's good. They're going really fast.

FOX ANCR til (O.C.) John, that's not Kenny Rogers-

JOHN HANNAFIN
In the song The Gambler you sang, "You gotta know when to walk away, know when to run." Should Ricky Bobby have stayed away from racing?
HALF ASIAN OLDER MAN
Mr. Bobby is very competitive. If he want to race he should race.

FOX ANCR #1 (O.C.) John, that's not-

JOHN HANNAFIN
This is John Hannafin here with Kenny Rogers. Back to you Sean.
236

EXT. TV RACE COVERAGE - CONTINUOUS

We see Jean Girard extending his lead.

FOX ANCR #1 . :.,,_ That cf course, was rurt. Kenny · >-·\:/:{:· · Rogers. But meanwhile Je~n Girard · has extended his lead. H~'i. got two cars on his tail, Ca l Nauglito_n Jr:' and Ricky Bobby wh9_: h _as made ·:a_ big move to come up from _·twelf_th place to third... · · ·

237

INT. CAL NAUGHTON JR' S :.CAR/ .:., CONTINUOUS

Cal Naughton is trying desperately to pass Jean.

238

INT. ?.ICKY'S CAR - CONT I NUOUS

He's dri vi'ng :-ie:>;t .· to ~al also -crying to pass Jean.

LUCIUS (V .0.)
Ricky, I got Cal Naughton wanting to talk directly to you.
RICKY
Put em through!
CAL NAUGHTON JR. (V.O.)
Ricky I know you and I don't like each other much. And I know I'm sleeping with your wife and all, a:-id I g~ess by now you knew about the t i me I took a piss in your coffee-
RICKY
No, I actually didn't know about that.
CAL NAUGHTON
Well there is nothing to know about because that was just another fun lie that I made up. Anyway, I'm going to give Frenchie a tap on his bumper and once I do, you run him straight up into the wall and you and I take over this race. Let's go.

Cal taps Jean's bumper and Jean fishtails slightiy-. Ricky doesn't do anything. ~

239

..:' ·\ .~·T :;::;::Y:~~ :::.::/~~\;_.

CAL NAUGHTON JR. What're you doing Ricky? Finish him off!!

RICKY
I don't want to win lik~:~hat! ~, ·-: ·: ,, \ · :,: CAL NAUGHTON . . . Here's the deal. Y,o,μ, help me :·,finish him off and I' 11... g·iv·tf ·yoμ _iC:ariey back. Now let' s- ·:do this Ri-G:ky •.• for America!

R!CKY ·: ;,: That's not . American, that's cheating. And Americans only cheat on thei.r taxes.

Ricky gives C~l a ta~ a~~ he spins out into the infield.

FOY. ANNOUNCER #1 Op i:ny God·! · Ricky Bobby just spun cil Naughton out!

FOX ANNOUNCER #2 It looked like R~cky wanted to play

240

THAT PASS SQUEAKY CLEAN! THAT'S NOT

the Ricky Bobby I know.

241

EXT. WIDE ANGLE SHOT OF TRACK - CONTINUOUS

The caution flag comes out.

242

EXT . PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS

Lucius paces with his headset on.

LUCIUS
That's a real classy move Ricky Bobby.
HERSHEL
Now it's just Girard and Ricky.
GLENN
Mano a mano.
243

INT. CORPORATE BOX - CONTINUOUS

Wealthy sponsors eat finger foods and watch fr.om" th~i·· ::. corporate box. Mr. Dennit with his Young Wife drinks a cocktail and watches. •.,·

MR. DENNIT
Come on Jean! You can take him.

•race from the roof of

244

EXT. TICKET WINDOW:. ,.. CMNINUOUS

Ticket ta~er is ~~alki~g· tc an unseen figure at the window .

..f!.-:. ,.. ·· . . :;:.:; .:,•. ···:·- TICKET TAKER I =j.ust need to see some ID sir if '~: going to give you these tickets.

We see a hand slide an ID under the window, the driver's licens¢ picture is Reese Bobby. ne's winking in the photo just ~ike Ricky did in his.

245

EXT. SPEEDWAY - TEN MINUTES LATER

The restart flag is waved and the pace car peels away.

FOX ANCR #1 Very surpris~ng to see Ricky Bobby turn down tha~ assist from Cal Naughton. (MORE)

FOX ANCR #1 (cont'd) Because if there's one thing Ricky Bobby is known for, it's winning at all costs.

246

INT. PRETAPE PIECE

Ricky in an interview limbo talks to camera.

RICKY
l've always been a risk taker. And because it rhymes, I'm also a bit of a heartbreaker. You see what I ~~~~ ~~~kt~a~~r th~~e=~~~r:~:~;: .:•<()j•',:::-:~~,:·:•:?·\:..
(He listens to an off camera question) ) . Why am I a risk taker? I think,·ft:\s ,:. ingrained in all Americans to ta~e ·..,,,,:,/ · risks. I mean if we didn\ ~ . say t y · "hey, horses suck, let's :dtive ~ car" then we wouldn't be h~ie~ or if we didn't go, "h~Y.-.,. I iike ..cold cuts and crackers but ·why ._~an' t I have them all t ·ogether in •'one convenient packa~e,n then we wouldn't have.- .Lun:chables·. . ·.: .:::.:..:..···.

NBC COVERAGE - CONTIN~OUS

247

. FOX ~~NCR # 1

Couldn't a:gre~5 with Ricky more .

248

LUNCHABLES AND CARS, GOD BLESS THIS

_great nc1tioh .

FOX ANCR #2 Speaking of America, let's go back to our John Hannifan who's with an American icon, Bruce willis.

249

EXT. SPEEDWAY

John Hanr.ifan is standing in the stands with a b-..irly WOMAN WITH GLASSES.

JOHN HANNAFIN
Bruce Willis, we love you in the Die Hard movies. Let me ask you this, what makes racing so much fun to watch?
WOMAN WITH GLASSES
My name is Linda. I'm a woman.
JOHN HANNAFIN
So sorry! Back to you guys.
250

INT. BOOTH -COVERAGE

FOX ANCR #1 Come on John! Pay attention!

FOX ANNOUNCER#2 ....::,: Things have heated up as Girard is boxing out Bobby for the lead!

251

EXT. PIT ROW - CONTINUOUS

run your race. . . .. ··:: ,.. ... RICKY { Do I have room to pass···:Girard on the inside?

·· .SPOTTER : .{V • .0. ) That's .. a negat i ve Ricky. Very sl i m squee ze. All- you have is the out;sidEt

... RICKY • If I. t'a)ce the outside I'm gonna · 1ose the. damn race ! !

P.A. ANCR #1 Ladi~~ and gentlemen this is the final lap! !

Girard is ·still hexing Ricky out of the inside.

RICKY
Dammit Lucius! What do I do?!!
LUCI US ( V. 0. )
Ricky, you wanna make sure you walk in your house tonight and have supper with your foul-mouthed kids, then you go outside and take second place. You wanna win, then you go inside and may God be with you.

Beat as Ricky mulls this over.

RICKY
Aw hell Lucius. I think I'm gonna have some Taco Bell with my boys tonight.

Ricky pulls to the outside for the final straight away.

LUCIUS
Well I'll be ...

FCX ANNOUNCER#! I can't believe it! Ricky Bobby went outside!

Ricky grabs the outside and punches it harai

RICKY
Tighten your seat belt bah¥, Jesus! ·.· ,:

THEY BOTH CROSS THE FINISH LINS.: AT THE -s~E TIME.

FOX ANNOUNCER . #2 :, That was one of the best outside passes in th~ 1:ast thirty years.

252

FOX ANNOUNCER # 1

I still can't tell ~ho won!

QUICK CUTS ALL OVER. THE TRACK:

254

_.DID._DADDY WIN?!

LUCIUS
What's going on?!

255

INT. THE ANNOUNCE BOOTH - CONTINUOUS

FOX ANCR #1 There is a strange quiet over the track ... no one is sure who's first.

FOX ANCR #2 The video replay is no help. It is toe close to call. They're gonna have t o go to the photo.

We see Video Replay. It is impossible ~o tell.

256

EXT. RACE TRACK - CONTINUOUS

Ricky gets out of his car and rips off his helmet, while down pit row, Jean does the same thing.

RICKY
That felt good. Who won?

Susan runs up to him.

SUSAN
That was amazing Ricky!
RICKY
I almost don't care if I won. ... .But seriously, did I win? •·· •· ·.·:=:=:··.:.:·...
257

INT. DARK ROOM - ONE MINUTE LATER \:·\ ~:..

We see a PHOTO TECH developil'):9 ::...a . ph6to ·\ l,_n the chemical pan . As it comes into focus we ..see·: :.tna-t::·:-the ... ··• • ' '',,• cars are dea:::i even .

P . A . AN1~00NCER Ladies ·::ind Gentlemeh"after revie~ing severa l photographs and th ~. videq. ·replc!iY, i t has been det~rmin~d:that the race is a per f e_ct:_ ti-~ (.: ...;•:: :: ,

The crowd 'gq__e~· crazy · with boos and cheers.

•:❖. • FOX ANNOUNCER l!l This'is the only tie in the history of Nascar.

Ricky'~ ciew throws down their helmets.

HERSHELL
That is bull crap!!
LUCIUS
Ricky, ycu should be proud. That's the best race you've ever run.

Jean ~omes up tc Ricky looking sad.

JEAN GIRARD
Please Ricky ... I want to go to Stockholm with Gregory ... you know?

Ricky turns to Lucius, Susan and his crew.

RICKY
Lucius, I know you told me to drive smart. But I gotta do one more thing.

Jean and Ricky both put on their helmets and jump in, their cars.

FOX ANCR #1 Well it looks like Jean Gira~d. and Ricky are taking a dual victoiy ·:-.. ,.. lap. How nice is that.

FOX ANNOUNCER Jj.2 .. I don't think so Ted. It 'Too.ks like they' re going to r~9-:~ ~,.. ~:,::.:, : __ ··.·.:-::·:=:·::=:::·/.

258

EXT. RACE TRACK STRI-.RGHT IWAY - ·T-H_1RR·Y SECONOS LATER

Ricky and Jean pull up•:.-ne}(_~:. to each other.

RICKY
One laP,. for .all the· marbles?

-:. ··-.:: .:: JEl-.N .· GIRARD

259

:T IS. _GOOD-~\ ..

· .-fa'nci then)

260

I/ M· GOING TC BEAT YOU.

RICKY
Me too.

FOX ANNOUNCER #1 They are going to race! Ricky just held up one finger! They're going one lap for the whole enchilada!

Both cars rev on the start line. Gregory comes out holding a red scarf and stands between the cars. He raises his arm and drops the scarf and both cars tear off the line.

FOX ANCR #1 (V.O.) This is highly illegal but if you change the channel you are a moon calf fool!

Ricky and Jean are neck and neck. Ricky takes the inside and Jean darts around him taking it back. They bump fenders. Jean takes the lead.

RICKY
Come on ... give me all you got!

The crowd is going insane.

CARLEY
Ricky!!

Carley lifts up her shirt and flashes Ricky .a ·s .:::he .c6ines around the turn. He gets distracted for a splift•:•:s~tcsnii..

RICKY
Wow ... those are fantastic. .. ,:. ·:•·:; ·::;::•:

In that second he loses control of:;::the caJ: and blunps into Jean wrecking them both. The cars ~loi,p and roll before coming to a shredded stop. ·· ·::::

··:;-. Fox ANCR · ·:.(v. .:o·;,.>.., =. ·. Oh no! No! Jean :.Gira'rd a·nd:'.Ricky Bobby have wrecked! That is such a shame! · · ·

Ricky can see Jean ··in his w·:fE!ck. He undoes himself and staggers out of the car. Ri cky's leg is hurt and we see a cut on his forehead· a• he . r i ps off his helmet. Jean does the same. Ricky, in a sl i ght daze, looks around. He and Jean look at each other ~fcr a beat. Rickv then looks in ~he direction of his pi t crew; . l ocking for g~idar.ce, only to catch eyes with Lu<;y,: . who · ha.s worked her way down t o p i t r ow.

LUCY
Finish this Ricky!

With that, slowly Ricky starts running to the finish line. Girard with a slight smile on his face, follows. The crowd goes ballistic.

r'OX ANCR ff 1 These men will not quit!! They are rur.ni ng on foot to the finish line!!!

Bl oodied and staggering, they both lurch towards the checkered flag. As they ge~ near, they both fall with their hands outstretched.

FOX ANCR #1 Ricky Bobby wins!!! Ricky Bobby :wins!! You will never see anything like that in a hundred lifetimes!!

FOX ANNOUNCER #2 Yup. That was good. That was real good.

Lucius, the crew, Susan, the boys and Lucy celebrate.

LUCIUS
Wow.~-
LUCY
Holy shit! He did it!!

HANK AND WILLIAMS JR·. Yay ! ! Granny cursed and ;'1;).addy won! ! ! ·-::=?·.:

GLENN
It's not the':·Si>:~r:t you love, it's Ricky. Racing is ~\ g~rgeous thing but you gave of youf: heart to Ricky and to~ay you harvested the fruits of ,you~ :labor. ~t's not cars . It's lo-v.¢, Lucius. L.ove.

He puts .his hand: .on Lucius' shoulder and Lucius wipes a tear away.

261

: ..•, , • LUCIUS

Dammit Glenn, sometimes you see too much. You know that man?

262

INT. ~ORPORATE BOX - SAME TIME

Mr. Dennit is stcne-faced watching the end on TV. He takes a sip of his drink.

MR. DENNIT
That was not supposed to happen like that ...
TEEN WIFE
Honey can we go home now? I war.na watch Dora the Explorer.
263

EXT. VICTORY LANE - CONTINUOUS

Drivers and crew converge on Ricky. The fans are climbing over the walls and flooding onto the field. Carle.y pushes her way through the crowd towards Ricky.

CARLEY
Ricky!!

Ricky looks in her direction and pushes towards C~rley.

-. RICKY

264

.:..:~~·\::::.=!:;:~::;._:;::::;Y·~;/\·.

Baby!!

Carley goes to hug him butRicky goes past her and _~ives Susan a big hug and twirls

her around. ---,~=:'\ ::\•==\\t··

RICKY
We did it!!
SUSAN .. . .
You were amazing.!(·<··=:·.:
CARLEY
It's you los~ _Ricky Bobby! I've got John Daly on · my ~peed dial! He'll be back just like"that! . .. Ricky?

Ricky and Susan ~alk~way. Th~y see Jean and Gregory waving to them with big smiles . -

JEAN GIRARD

265

~ ~E ARE.FREE RICKY BOBBY.

GREGORY
Thank you rnon arni!

Ricky gives them a half wave and a smile and then is sprayed with champagne by his crew. Cal Naughton Jr. walks up to Jean and Gregory.

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Hey! Just for the record, I hate you Frenchie. And the · next time we're on that track I'm taking you Ct..t!

JEAN GIR~RD Thank you for the warning. I was wondering, what is the American word for the small metal stand that the firemen pl~g their hoses into?

CAL NAUGHTON JR.
Man you are a dumbass. You mean a fire hydrant?

We hear dogs barking in the distance.

JEAN GIRARD
That's it. Thank you so much.
266

EXT. RACE TRACK PARKING LOT - TWO HOURS LATER

Ricky is leaving with Susan, Lucy and Hank an_9:}H).l _iams Jr. The parking lot is pretty much empty.

HANK
Corne on! I'll race you to the tight pole!

Hank and Williams Jr take off runni:n~:'

RICKY :':-. (to Susan) ·::·:::-..:,:-,.,:,::. . Ycu know your wa·y ar.ot;ind i:(race track. You ever think ~bout co- owning a tea_~_? ... ·.. .· :;..~ ....

267

: .SUSAN ., ..

Maybe, . with the right driver ...

Hank and Williarn·~· ,,.Jr ·ar·e ~rguing about who won their foot race.

HANK
WILLIAMS JR No r ·~on! Daddy who won?!
RICKY
You both run the best you could?
HANK AND WILLIAMS JR
Yeah ...
RICKY
Then it don't mat~er.
(then to Lucy)
Wow. What did I jast do?
LUCY
You just did some Daddying.

They come upon Lucy's car.

VOICE (O.C.} That was some nice driving cowboy.

We see Reese sitting on the hood of Ricky's car.

RICKY
Thanks Dad.
REESE BOBBY
Hey Ricky. Let me ask you, who'd you win that race for?
RICKY
I'll tell you one person I didn't win it for ... you.

REESE BOBBY :.:: Just the answer I was lobkJng for.

There's a beat as they look a);9_1,md the· empt y parking lot.

REESE·: BOBB.Y.. I got.ta say thin~s are ···pretty much perfect right_ now. And it's makin' me kinda of ·itchy,- ;_

268

~ICKY .

What' d -:.-you -•:say we all get thrown out _of an . ~ppl~bee's?

269

. . REESE B0B5Y

: _Xe ah ' that'd probably do the trick .

270

.· .._...

HANK AND WILLI AMS JR . Yay"! .

They jump in the car and drive off to the horizon line.

MUSIC: "I LOVE A RAINY NIGHT" - Eddie Rabbit

END : •·