"THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER" (2012)

The Perks of Being

a Wallflower

by

Stephen Chbosky

Based on his novel

Final Draft

FADE IN:

The titles begin over black. We hear the sound of an old typewriter. Someone reaching out to us. The bell dings, announcing the end of a line, and we see our title...

THE PERKSOF BEING A WALLFLOWER

Music begins, picture fades up, and we are in the city. Downtown Pittsburgh. Looking out of the back window like a child in the back of a station wagon.

We see lights on buildings and everything that makes us wonder. We see the bridge. And the river below. And then we enter...

The Tunnel.

We keep moving backwards, watching the lights.Golden, alive, and hypnotic. The music carries us as we float out of the tunnel. Onto another bridge. And over the highway.

We move into the night sky, back through the trees, through a window, and into...

It is a neat and tidy little room.Few posters or books. CHARLIEis 15. He is innocent, hopeful, awkward, and likable to everyone but his classmates. He sits at his desk, writing a letter in pencil as he tapes the title song through the radio on his cassette boom box.

Charlie anxiously walks through the hallway of his suburban split level house.

Charlie moves to the living room where dad watches a football game. Mom reads a page turner and sips her white wine. Charlie waits for them to notice him.And waits. And waits.

Charlie sits at his desk, continuing his letter in pencil.

We see it in Charlie's mind. Slow motion and wondrous. The kids clear out their lockers by throwing their old papers in the air like a New York confetti parade.

Charlie walks down the hall. Triumphant. Confident. Happy.

Reality. The bell rings, and we see the chaotic maze from Charlie’s POV. A SENIOR BULLY leads the ritual, making dozens of freshmen hop down the hall.

As seniors grab more victims, Charlie moves to the wall.

VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS pass, wearing their letter jackets.

At the front of the pack isBRAD HAYS(17), the quarterback. He's good looking, charismatic, and friendly.The big man on campus. Nice guy, too.

They laugh. Charlie turns to the trophy case to avoid them. Trying to make himself as small as possible.

Charlie moves down the lunch line with his sister.CANDACE KELMECKISis 17 and a beautiful type A, straight A priss.

Candace turns to her boyfriend,DEREK, 17. Derek is such a pussy, the most masculine thing about him is his pony-tail.

Derek takes the silverware like a beaten dog.Charlie watches them move into the intimidating cafeteria.

Charlie sits in the corner alone, observing everyone having a great time with their friends. He sees a pretty girl with blonde hair having the best first day.This is SUSAN, 14.

Charlie catches her eye and waves, but she looks away.

Charlie turns his attention to the quarterback, Brad Hays.

Brad catches Charlie staring at him.Awkward.

Charlie sits by himself, watching the freshmen boys laugh as a senior paints a goatee on his face with a grease pencil.

MeetPATRICK (18), full of confidence, mischief, and so over high school. He is the class clown, performing a perfect imitation of the teacher, Mr. Callahan.

The laughter suddenly dies as the realMR. CALLAHAN(57) walks up behind the oblivious Patrick.

Patrick suddenly feels Mr. Callahan behind him.Oops.

The class laughs. Except Charlie. He watches Patrick take the long walk back to his seat.

Patrick opens the book.

Charlie smiles. He loves him already.

The kids pass back paperback copies of To Kill A Mockingbird. Charlie opens his Trapper Keeper, takes a pencil out of the plastic pouch, and writes... “ENGLISH CLASS... DAY ONE.”

ASMART ASS FRESHMAN girl with braces smiles at him.

The kids around him laugh. Charlie's ears turn red. At the blackboard, the teacher writes his name... Mr. Anderson.But you can call himBILL (27). Bill is an idealist.

All hands go up. Except Charlie's. Bill paces the rows.

As kids think, Bill confiscates contraband, removes hats.

Bill is about to give the answer when he notices Charlie has already written...Charles Dickens.

Charlie writes downBox Office, then looks up to find that Bill is staring at him. Waiting for him to raise his hand.

Charlie looks down. He's not going to answer.

The kids groan. They should have known. Charlie smiles to himself. He's going to like this class.

The bell rings. The students chatter their way out of class. The last to leave is Charlie.

Charlie stops and turns to find Bill erasing the board.

Charlie smiles. Bill takes a moment. Then...

Bill nods and watches Charlie exit.He gets swallowed up by the hallway as the bell rings.

Charlie looks through the thick office glass.He sees Patrick use his charms on MRS. SMALL, (58) the Principal.

Out of nowhere, the SENIOR BULLY grabs Charlie's book.

The bully rips the cover. He throws it on the ground as his friends laugh and disappear down the hall.Charlie walks up and picks up his book.

Charlie walks up the path to his house.

Charlie tapes his book cover back together.He looks up as his dad comes home from a long day.Charlie's mom hugs him.

Charlie stands in the kitchen, pouring his milk.

His family is seated around the table.Candace's boyfriend, Derek, is their special guest.

Charlie's father rolls his eyes, then reads his sports page.

Charlie carries his milk back to the table.He quickly sits, hoping someone will change the subject.

Charlie's father and mother watch a local sports show. Charlie passes by them with ice cream on his way downstairs.

Charlie moves to the entry hall. He looks through the screen door to the porch where Candace kisses Derek's cheek goodbye. As Derek walks to his mom's Mercedes, Candace joins Charlie.

When he gets into his car, she hands Charlie the mix tape.

Charlie sits on his bed, reading To Kill a Mockingbird, the cover taped back together. We see Derek's mix... Autumn Leaves... rotate in his old tape recorder.

The first notes of The Smiths' "Asleep" begins.As Morrissey sings, Charlie keeps reading. And reading.

The reading is done. Charlie proudly puts To Kill a Mockingbird on his newly dubbed "Shelf of Fame."

The songs continues as we see glimpses of Charlie's day to day life over the next few weeks. Charlie exits his English class. FRESHMEN BULLIES wait for him, led by...

Silence. They grab and drag him into the boy's room. We hear the toilet flush for the swirly.

Charlie looks at the new bottle of prescription Wellbutrin. He puts a pill in his mouth and washes it down with RC cola.

Charlie watches his brother and the Penn State Nittany Lions on TV. He looks over at his father, but his dad is too busy building Charlie's clock for shop class to notice him.

Charlie carries his tray through the intimidating cafeteria. Not giving up. Looking for somewhere to sit.

Charlie sits by himself in the corner.He looks around the cafeteria, wanting to break in. Not knowing how. After a moment, he returns to his book. The song ends.

Friday Night Football in Western, PA.Charlie buys his Coke and nachos and wanders to the bleachers.He sits alone, trying to blend in by cheering with the rest of students. When the Mill Grove Devils recover a fumble, he hears...

Charlie looks up at Patrick, cheering his head off.TWIN SENIOR GIRLSpass him, taunting.

Charlie wants to go up to Patrick so badly.After driving himself crazy, sitting up and down twice, he approaches.

Patrick motions for Charlie to sit.Charlie sits. Elated.

Brad Hays puts on his helmet and rushes onto the field. Charlie dries his hands on his pants.So nervous. A 5 second silence that feels like a year.Think of something to say. Anything.

Charlie looks up. Standing there is the prettiest girl he's ever seen. SAM (17) would make every mother proud and every father nervous. She is alive, adventurous, and a world class flirt. Great attitude. Great taste. Great banter.

Sam sits down, sandwiching Charlie between her and Patrick. Charlie tries to remain casual. Hang in there, buddy.

Brad Hays marches the Devils offense down the field.The kids clap. Sam looks at Charlie, then turns back to Patrick.

Sam extends her hand to Charlie. Every nail a different color. They shake. Then, Sam grabs a nacho. Zoinks!

Charlie nods just as Brad Hays tosses a touchdown pass.The fans go crazy. Especially Patrick. Charlie smiles.

The Devils' faithful cheer as Brad Hays and his guys enter! The place is packed. Patrick and Sam drink coffee while Charlie eats his brownie. They're all excited.

Brad Hays, the quarterback, passes with his posse.Taunting.

NOSE TACKLE & LINEBACKER Hey, Nothing. Hey, Nothing.

Sam laughs. She loves watching Patrick get riled up.

Sam laughs. Charlie smiles.

They laugh at their inside joke. Charlie has no idea what's so funny.

Charlie hops out of Sam's old truck.The music blares.

Charlie waves as the truck leaves.The look on his face. The happiness from one night of company.

Charlie enters the house, excited to tell someone his news. He runs up the stairs to find the living room empty.He hears the TV playing downstairs in the basement.

As Charlie approaches, he hears muffled sounds of fighting.

Charlie looks through a slit in the open door to find...

Charlie enters, wanting to stop the fight.Derek's neck is red. Dangerous angry. Candace keeps digging.

SNAP! Out of nowhere, Derek slaps her across the face. It's not a movie slap. It's a real slap. Dead sound. And after it, silence. Candace turns and sees Charlie. It sobers her up. Charlie moves at Derek. Candace stops him.

She pushes him out of the room and closes the door.

Charlie sits at his desk. So disturbed. He hears a car start outside. He moves to his window and looks down at Derek and Candace near Derek's mother's Mercedes.Derek is crying. Candace comforts. After a beat... they kiss.

Charlie stands frozen, a look creeping across his face.

The door opens to reveal Charlie's mom andAUNT HELEN entering the house. Aunt Helen carries a suitcase. The children don't know where she's been or why she looks sad. They just know they love her. Little Charlie stands at the top of the stairs with his brother and sister in their Sunday clothes. There are balloons. And streamers.

Aunt Helen smiles at Little Charlie on top of the stairs.

Charlie stands at the top of the stairs as Candace enters the house. She is startled when she sees Charlie. They whisper.

She's about to go back downstairs when...

A silence passes between them. Then...

With a desperately confident nod, Candace goes downstairs. Charlie stands in the entry hall, troubled.

The Homecoming Dance is in full swing.God bless everyone. Especially Charlie. He's alone at the wall, dressed in his Sunday suit. To us, adorable. To himself, in living hell.

Charlie watches his sister, slow dancing with Derek.As happy as she looks, Charlie still isn't sure if he did the right thing by keeping quiet. The song ends to applause.

After a beat, Charlie turns away. That's when he sees Sam and Patrick at the punch bowl. We hear the first notes of "Come On, Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Charlie watches Sam and Patrick run to the center of the floor and show this stiff crowd what dancing is.It starts slow. "So over it" hand moves. A little shoulder. And then, the best of swing. 30 seconds of genius.

Charlie takes a breath. Then, he tries desperately not to look like he's dancing toward them as he dances toward them. He bobs his head like a dork. And once he gets close, Patrick and Sam turn and find him.

SAM & PATRICK Hey!

Without a pause, they grab his hands, and move together in a circle. Their own island. After a moment, Sam moves around Charlie like a maypole as the whole gym explodes into dance.

The party rages inside this mansion in the rich part of town. Patrick and Sam walk up the steps with Charlie tailing.

Sam knocks. The door opens, revealingBOB (20). Bob was the cool high school kid, who never quite left.He's stoned so often that people can't tell the difference anymore.

Patrick leads Charlie inside, leaving Bob staring at Sam.

The music blasts. Charlie's eyes are our guide. As they walk through the crowd, you can smell it.Stale beer and cigarette smoke. High school parties. The room is packed with kids playing quarters. Others pouring vodka into a * watermelon.

Patrick smiles when he spots two friends.

MARY ELIZABETH and ALICE (both 17) sit on the sofa together. Mary Elizabeth is smart, a little overweight, and extremely bossy. Alice will figure out that she's a lesbian in college. Right now, she just likes movies and is Mary Elizabeth's "beta female."

They shake hands and say their hellos.

Patrick and Mary Elizabeth laugh at their banter, just as Sam calls out from the other side of the room.

The party turns, and Charlie sees Brad Hays, the quarterback, enter with Sam and Bob. Patrick approaches them. Charlie sits on the beat up couch next to the girls.He's shocked.

Charlie tries to think of something, but he can't.The girls turn, ignoring him. Bob approaches with a tray.

Bob smiles. Mary Elizabeth gives Alice a knowing glance. Charlie bites into the brownie. The icing gushing between his teeth. The image goes up into the smoke like an inhale as he chews and chews and chews.

After a beat, the music changes, and the image exhales back down to Charlie, who is now... baked out of his mind.The

whole party surrounds him now, pissing themselves with laughter as this shy kid talks and talks and talks.

Charlie looks at Mary Elizabeth with her new wave haircut.

Sam enters the room. Takes quick stock. Then...

The entire room explodes with laughter.Charlie loves that people find him so funny.

Sam takes the ice cream from the freezer to the blender. Charlie watches her make the perfect vanilla milkshake.

Sam looks up. Shocked silent. Charlie is just stoned.

CHARLIE

Charlie wanders off. Sam watches him go.

Charlie leaves the bathroom and stops when he sees himself in a large ornate mirror in the hallway.

Charlie wanders down the hallway, a little lost.He finds the door to the master bedroom and opens it.He sees Patrick and Brad Hays... kissing.

Patrick closes the bedroom door and follows Charlie.

Patrick takes a quick peek to make sure no one is watching.

Patrick laughs, goes back to the room, and closes the door.

The party has thinned. Sam watches Charlie drink his milkshake obsessively with Alice and Mary Elizabeth.

Patrick walks downstairs. Sam motions him over.

Patrick turns to look at Charlie. He feels so bad for the kid. Patrick raises his plastic cup to the remaining crowd.

Charlie looks up. A little paranoid. Everyone is staring.

Charlie dries his sweaty hands on his pants.He looks around the room at the nods and friendly faces.

CHARLIE

SAM & EVERYONE To Charlie.

They all drink. Sam approaches him. A knowing smile.

Charlie smiles, and the soundtrack comes rushing up loud.

The truck speeds on Highway 376 toward the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Patrick drives. Sam cranks the radio, blaring "The Tunnel Song." The Star's anthem, "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" is our prototype for tone.

Sam climbs through the window to the flat bed.She grips the flood lights to steady herself as she stands.

Patrick turns up the volume and drums on the steering wheel, just as the truck flies into...

THE TUNNEL

We go behind the truck. Rising as Sam puts her arms in the air. The image moves to Charlie's point of view, rising from Sam's feet up her shivering legs. Past the band-aid on her right knee. To Sam's face as she looks down. Into the camera. Right at us. For we are now...

Charlie, looking up at Sam, so in love with this free-spirit. So happy to have friends. Happy to be alive. Charlie gets this look on his face. Patrick notices and smiles.

The truck flies out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel onto the bridge. Patrick and Charlie laugh as Sam raises her arms.Free and young and alive on the greatest night of Charlie's life.

We see Charlie proudly put a Smiths poster on his wall next to photos of his new friends. He dances to his desk, listening to Air Supply's "All Out of Love" on his Walkman.

As the lyrics begin, Charlie unabashedly lip-synchs...

Charlie sits at his desk, writing and lip-synching.

As the students file out, Charlie hands his paper to Bill in exchange for a beat up copy of The Great Gatsby.

Charlie pauses in the doorway and turns back to look at Bill.

Charlie turns from the lunch line with The Great Gatsby on his tray. He looks at the gang at their table. He sits with them as they debate the design of this month's fanzine.

The xerox spits out copies of PUNK ROCKY!Halloween Issue! Alice staples while Mary Elizabeth works her like a sled dog.

Sam and Alice laugh when Patrick begins stapling Mary Elizabeth's fanzines to within an inch of their life.

[Note: The following sequence will come from Charlie's POV of Patrick and Brad's activities over a weekend.]

Brad Hays leads the football team through the banner onto the field as Charlie, Patrick, and Sam cheer.Moments later, Brad pulls his helmet on and rushes onto the field.

Patrick whispers while the gang studies their SAT books.

Charlie sits with his family in itchy church clothes.He turns to see Brad with his father and mother.Proper family. Brad's dad gives him a pat on the back.

We see Patrick and Brad walking in the library.They reach the stacks, and just when it looks like they'll speak, they simply... PASS EACH OTHER WITHOUT A WORD.

Brad sits down with his football pals.Patrick joins Charlie and Sam at their table. Charlie looks over at Sam, studying hard for her SAT's.

We see Charlie making a mix tape on his boom box.

The two cassettes run. The song is just about to finish when... the side runs out of tape and snaps off.

The marquee announces it's time for the...

... Rocky Horror Picture Show! The ROCKY EMCEE, dressed as Riff Raff, whips the crowd into a frenzy.

ROCKY EMCEE CROWD

Gimme an R! Gimme an O! R-O-C-K-Y! Rocky! Rocky! Gimme a C! Gimme a K! Gimme Rocky! a Y! What's that spell!?

The crowd cheers! Charlie claps from the front row.

The movie is in full swing. Charlie watches Sam as Janet in the Floor Show. Sam mimics Susan Sarandon perfectly. Especially the body. She winks at Charlie as "Fanfare/Don't Dream It" begins and arriving regally as Frank 'n Furter in full drag is... Patrick.

Patrick is a rock star. He approaches Charlie. Putting his ass in his face. Charlie is freaked out and laughing! Especially when he sees Brad, alone in the back, smiling.

Charlie stops laughing when the orgy begins between Patrick, Mary Elizabeth (as Columbia),CRAIG(21), an art student with a model's body (as Rocky)... and of course... Sam.Charlie watches Sam until he can't take his lust (or guilt).

We hear the chorus of "Don't Dream It, Be It" as Charlie watches all of the exciting cast members at the after-show party. Charlie sees a photo of Sam's naked back on the wall of Craig's loft. Very arty. Very black & white. Charlie's lust (and guilt) are now at 11. Alice looks at the photo.

Craig is impressive to high school kids.He's a little pretentious. But his art school life. His red wine. His loft. Wow. Right now, he holds court in the wine line.

Charlie sees Sam alone on the loft steps.She looks a little down. He hands Sam a plastic cup and sits next to her.

Charlie summons his courage. He hands her the mix tape.

The tape revolves in the stereo, playing a beautiful ballad. Charlie watches Sam sway to his music like a serenade.Like she is dancing with him. But she isn't. A wider angle reveals that she is slow dancing with... Craig.

Charlie is 15 year old CRUSHED. No filter. Just feeling. Patrick, Alice, and Mary Elizabeth watch Sam across the room.

Craig dips a smiling Sam as the song ends.Sam goes into the kitchen. Craig approaches Charlie. Turns off his mix tape.

Craig grabs a record from the pile and slaps it down.

Charlie sighs. Craig's upbeat song begins to play. He dances over to Sam. Charlie's heart breaks as he watches Sam hug on Craig.

In a mirror image, Candace hugs on Derek near the lockers. Charlie closes his own locker and moves down the hall.

The bell rings. Charlie sets down his On the Road paper.

Charlie nods. Bill smiles and reaches into his desk. He hands Charlie a copy of A Separate Piece.Charlie takes the book and starts to walk out, but he turns back.

Charlie nods. Bill looks straight at him. Not preaching. Coming from a history of personal experience and pain.

Charlie smiles.

Charlie waits nervously at a booth.He sees Sam enter. He fixes his hair, then pretends to read his SAT PREP BOOK.

Sam nods. They open their books, and a Christmas song begins. In a quick passage of time, we see them study next to Halloween decorations. Then, Thanksgiving. And finally, Christmas decorations.

The song continues. Charlie's mom and sister hang the Christmas ornaments as Charlie helps his dad find that "one

Charlie's father reaches into his pocket and hands Charlie a bill. It's a fifty. Dad winks, in a great mood.

Lockers are opened by Charlie. Sam. Patrick. Wrapped gifts are deposited. Mischief smiles. Lockers closed. Everyone loves getting their presents except Charlie - who got socks.

Bill hands Charlie a well worn copy of The Catcher in the Rye. He smiles.

Mr. Callahan, the shop teacher, looks at a Sad Sack Girl's clock. He takes a moment, and then...

He moves to Charlie's dad's amazing clock.He hands Charlie an A on a piece of paper.

Mr. Callahan moves to Patrick's SHITTY WOODEN CLOCK.No stain. No finish. Lop-sided. The ugliest clock you've ever seen in your life.

Mr. Callahan writes a grade and slaps it down.

The song continues as Patrick holds up the grade.C minus! Charlie and Sam cheer as Patrick screams at the top of his lungs...

Patrick screams at the city in the distance.Below average!

We move to find Sam, holding her SAT score up to the group.

Everyone cheers. Sam hugs Charlie.

Charlie carries Sam on his shoulders past the Christmas Tree. Sam wears a Santa Hat like a hot elf.

They pass Mary Elizabeth as she opens her final present.

Alice smiles. Bob nudges her. Guilty as charged. Mary Elizabeth pulls one last item out of the gift bag.

Alice laughs. Patrick pours everyone brandy. The kids look ridiculous, but they don't feel ridiculous.

Sam nods, then turns. Charlie is delighted. No Craig. The kids settle in the living room in front of the fire.

Charlie starts snickering. He can't help himself.

Charlie holds up his hands. Yay! They all cheer.

Charlie and Patrick switch places.Charlie stands.

The gang cracks up. Mary Elizabeth is pissed.

Charlie gives Sam a sack of presents.

Sam gives out the presents. The group rips them open. Alice looks at a book about Martin Scorsese with the inscription...

Alice turns to Mary Elizabeth who holds up a card with...

Bob blows soap bubbles into the air.Stoned. Mesmerized.

Sam looks at her present. An old 45 record of The Beatles classic "Something" with a card. She reads the card. Holds it to her chest. Very moved.

They all chime in. "Let's go, young man!" "Charlie! Charlie!" Charlie opens the door off camera, and we see his entrance play off their faces. The reverse angle reveals...

Charlie dressed in his suit. Like the best of English mods in the 60's. For those of you who know the book, this is the cover. They all clap. It's magic.

Sam and Charlie look at each and smile.

The door opens. Sam and Charlie walk into the dark room.

Sam flips the switch, bathing the room in light.Sam's room is so cool. A shrine to music. A xerox that says "The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves."Virgin Mary icons. Snow globes. Kitsch.

Sam points to a green box with a red ribbon on her desk.

Charlie lifts up the box to reveal an OLD MANUAL TYPEWRITER.

Sam goes over and types. "Write about us sometime." He smiles and types back. "I will." They look at each other. We can hear a lovely ballad playing downstairs.

He shakes his head.

Sam gets this strange look in her eyes.A little haunted.

Charlie goes silent.

SAM

Sam smiles. She's very moved.

Charlie nods. And with that, Sam leans over and kisses him. It starts softly, then Sam wraps her thin arms around him. Holding on for lonely life. When the song crescendos, and they part, Charlie and Sam look at each other.Finally...

The porch lights are as golden as Charlie feels right now. We see the girls wave to each other and hug Sam.

Patrick approaches Charlie in the doorway.

Sam gives Charlie one last hug. Patrick and Sam watch their friends leave.

We fly as high as Charlie feels. Above the city on Christmas Eve.

The front door opens, revealing Charlie's dad.

He moves out of the way, and standing there is Charlie's older brother,CHRIS KELMECKIS (19). Chris is handsome, charismatic, and an all around winner.

Big hug. Chris smiles big and "son flirts" with his mom.

Big kiss. When he lets go, he sees Charlie and smiles.

Chris and Charlie look at each other in silence.Then, hug. As the family moves into the dining room to celebrate, Chris gives him a quiet...

We move closer to Charlie as he makes his wish and blows out his 16 candles.

The wind blows out a candle in one of the luminaria bags. The suburb is quiet. Not a creature is stirring. Except...

Charlie. He fills a brown paper bag with sand and a candle. He lights the candle, making the bag glow like a beautiful lantern. He looks down his street, where families are out with their kids, doing the same luminaria ritual.

The same street. Christmas Eve. Many years ago. Aunt Helen and the kids finish their luminaria bags.Aunt Helen lights up the candles. They glow.

The image goes wide. All of these bags glowing. Beautiful. Aunt Helen rattles her keys. Whispers.

She bends down and whispers into his ear.

She musses his hair and gets in the car.

END FLASHBACK

Charlie hovers over the glowing luminaria.Something is bothering him. He shakes it off.

Charlie wanders through the quiet house.He turns the corner where he finds Chris sitting at the table.He's lit by a couple of candles and the blinking lights of the Christmas Tree. He's surrounded by leftovers. Charlie sits.

Chris chews and swallows. Famished. They both whisper.

Charlie smiles. Grabs a Hershey Kiss cookie.

Chris laughs. Charlie smiles. A moment passes. Chris changes his tone. Cautious.

Chris smiles at his kid brother. We hear the church organ.

The family moves down the line to receive Holy Communion at Christmas Mass. Charlie's father, then mother, then sister, take the sacrament. Charlie is next. The PRIEST makes the motion of the cross with the communion wafer.He places it in Charlie's hand. Charlie brings the sacrament to his mouth with his fingers...

We move in closer to Charlie's fingers in his mouth.When he takes his hand out, we see... a tab of LSD.The church organ is now a rock organ. And it's now...New Year's Eve.

Charlie closes his mouth. He looks down the hall of the smoky room where Craig has his arm around Sam.Charlie turns to Mary Elizabeth, who's also dosed.

About 45 minutes. The sound is muted thick. Slight echoes. Charlie shovels the snow. Crunch. Fascinated by his breath making fog. Sam comes outside. She's worried about him.

She points. Charlie looks up. Sees the stars.

Sam puts her arm around his shoulder.Protecting him. Charlie looks through the glasses.The sky bends like a globe. When he breathes, the sky ripples.

Charlie wanders through the party, tripping out of his mind. He sits down on the sofa. The world unbends as Charlie takes off the glasses. Kids walk around the party, leaving ghosts of themselves behind.

Charlie looks upstairs to find... Sam and Craig kissing. Craig leads her to the bedroom.

Charlie looks back at the party as kids gather for the New Years countdown. Patrick leads the charge.

In a QUICK FLASH, we see 7 year old Charlie with Aunt Helen on Christmas Eve. She bends to whisper in his ear.

We are BACK TO PRESENT as Charlie takes a deep breath and tries to remember that he's at a New Year's party.

The crowd cheers, leaving ghosts of themselves.Charlie gets up from the sofa and walks out of Bob's house.

Charlie walks down the road under a streetlight.Silhouette. The road is icy. Charlie lays down and starts moving his arms in the snow. The memories begin to haunt him.

7 year old Charlie waves goodbye to Aunt Helen as she drives away through the landing strip for Santa Claus.

16 year old Charlie blinks. The memories come faster.

Aunt Helen drives past a tall snow drift.She looks down at the 45 of The Beatles in the seat next to her.She smiles at Charlie's birthday present. Then, she looks up as the headlights of the semi truck smash the windows with a CRASH!

Charlie's mother opens the door, revealing a POLICEMAN.He turns to Charlie in his party hat.7 years old and confused.

16 year old Charlie lays on the snow, shivering, as the image goes high above to reveal he's made a snow angel.

The Emergency room is bustling on New Year's Day.Charlie looks up as the POLICE, DOCTORS, and his PARENTS tower over him. He is terrified and does what any kid would do. He lies his ass off.

He waits to see if this worked. And then, unexpectedly...

The tires squish the grey slush puddle as the busses pull into the dreary parking lot. School is back in session.

Charlie shakes off the cold, then takes off his overcoat to reveal... he's wearing his suit from Secret Santa.All the kids stare. Charlie realizes he made a terrible mistake.

Charlie sits as Bill hands out the book for the semester... The Great Gatsby. As the kids chatter, Bill gives Charlie his own book to start the year... The Stranger.

Bill pats his shoulder and moves on.The Smart Ass Freshman looks at Charlie and whispers.

The Rocky Horror faithful enter the theater.

Mary Elizabeth and the kids get ready for the floor show.

The phone rings. Mary Elizabeth picks up. Charlie turns to Brad, sitting next to him. Charlie is freaking out.

Mary Elizabeth hangs up the phone, frustrated.

The group is deflated. They all start thinking. After a beat, Mary Elizabeth looks at Charlie.

You know those dreams you have when you are standing in front of 200 people in your underwear? Well, this is no dream.

We hear a heart beat as Charlie dances out of the Rocky gauze and finds himself standing in tight gold underwear, looking out at 200 people, cheering him on.

His friends can't stop smiling. Especially Mary Elizabeth, who watches Charlie's little butt in the gold undies.She

"Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me" is in full swing.Sam slinks over to Charlie dressed in her white bra and slip.

Sam grabs Charlie's hands and rubs them all over her chest.

The song continues. We see flashes of the night's performance as Charlie goes from train wreck to triumph. Charlie joins Sam in the kick line, and it feels like it's just the two of them. On the final beat, Sam gasps...

The song ends. The cast bows. Sam and Patrick push Charlie in front for his own curtain call.Everyone cheers. It's the night he'll never forget.

The wind whips. That bracing February cold. Charlie helps Mary Elizabeth carry the costumes outside to her car.

They put the box in her trunk. Snap it closed. We can't help but notice the "Keep Your Laws Off My Body" bumper sticker as Mary Elizabeth tries her best to flirt.

Charlie thinks and thinks and...

Ding dong. Charlie's mom opens the door for MARY ELIZABETH. Charlie straightens out his church suit.So nervous.

Charlie and Mary Elizabeth stand next to Candace and Derek.

Cheese! White flash. The picture of 4 kids. Smiling big.

Charlie and Mary Elizabeth slow dance to an 80's love song. Sweaty palms. Awkward. Hands on hips. Horror.

Charlie looks around the gym. He sees Alice dancing with her date, an EFFEMINATE GOTH KID (17).We'll never meet him, but he'll make us laugh once.

Charlie then watches Patrick dance with Sam.He follows Patrick's gaze across the floor to Brad, who dances with a SENIOR GIRL (18). Charlie sees the boys look at each other. For one moment, it's like they're dancing together.

Mary Elizabeth is at the punch bowl with the gang.Charlie sees Sam, standing by the wall, looking sad.He approaches.

Charlie joins her at the wall. Mary Elizabeth gives them a quick, jealous look.

He said it to cheer her up. Sam forces a smile and leaves.

Mary Elizabeth approaches Charlie on the antique sofa.She uncorks a bottle of wine. POP! She hands him the bottle.

Mary Elizabeth walks over to the vintage turntable.She turns on the gas fireplace with a remote control.Roar!

Mary Elizabeth drops the needle on a vinyl LP.A Doo Wop make-out classic begins to play. She dances over to Charlie.

She pours the wine. Charlie looks at the bottle.

Mary Elizabeth drops her necklace with a thud.Charlie looks around. Heart beating.

She reaches out and touches his chest.

She puts her hand on his. Moves it to his chest.

She slowly moves his hand to her dress strap.It falls off her shoulder. She leans in for a red wine kiss. She guides his hand over her bra. He feels her breast. Wow.

For a quick moment, Charlie imagines he is kissing Sam. Broken by...

Mary Elizabeth moves his hand away.Charlie blinks, taking a moment to realize Sam's not the one in the room.The song is over. The needle turns at the end of the record.

She gives him one last kiss. Content, she lays down on his lap. Peaceful.

We land on Charlie's face. "What?" And then, we hear the GARAGE DOOR OPEN.

The mad scramble for clothes begins.

Mary Elizabeth's car pulls in front of Charlie's house. Charlie gets out. Wanting to say he's not her boyfriend. Not knowing how. Mary Elizabeth smiles. Smitten.

With that, she backs out of the driveway.We see him from the back of her car, getting smaller and smaller.His stomach already filling with acid.

Sam, Patrick, and Alice are seated around the table.Mary Elizabeth has her arms around Charlie.Smothering him.

Charlie nods, tortured.

Ash Wednesday. Charlie gets out of the school bus to immediately find Mary Elizabeth waiting for him.She sees the cross of ashes on his forehead.She thinks his ashes are a smudge. She cleans it.

A double date. Craig and Sam buy the tickets to see the silent classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

CHARLIE

Charlie tries not to feel Mary Elizabeth's sweaty hand.

Just like Sadie's except... the fire in the fireplace is out. We move from the fireplace to Charlie, touching Mary Elizabeth's breasts over her sweater.

Charlie looks at the Ani DiFranco Mix on the stereo.Sighs.

The gang is there. Walden rests on Charlie's lunch tray.

Ring! Charlie grabs the cordless. He looks at Patrick's clock. 3:13pm. His voice can no longer hide his quiet rage.

Charlie calmly puts down the phone and leaves the room.We

Charlie is so miserable. His mom is sympathetic.

Charlie's father leans back from the sofa and his newspaper.

He returns. Mary Elizabeth is still talking on the cordless.

He looks back at the clock. 3:23pm.

Charlie goes to his quiet place. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Truth or dare. The gang is seated in a circle, drinking from plastic cups. Charlie sits between Mary Elizabeth and Sam.

BOB

As Patrick approaches an apprehensive Alice...

She kisses him. Charlie bites his cheeks. Sam looks a little depressed.

Anticipation. Patrick is getting ready to plant the biggest kiss on Alice when she jumps him. Everyone groans. Ew! Laughter. Patrick looks for the next person. Charlie's heart pounds. Don't pick me! Please!

Silence. Thinking. Finally...

Charlie blinks. It was all fantasy.

Alice hits him. Laughter. Charlie thinks. He looks at Mary Elizabeth, then turns to Sam. Before Sam can even react... Charlie plants a kiss right on her lips.When he opens his eyes, he looks around, and realizes the magnitude of his mistake. Everyone stares. After a horrible silence...

Without a word, Mary Elizabeth just stands, dignified, and goes into the kitchen.

Alice follows Mary Elizabeth. Sam is close behind.

Sam turns and looks at him. She doesn't even recognize him.

Charlie is devastated.

They move to the driveway. Charlie feels awful. Panicky.

CHARLIE

Silence. Charlie looks over at Patrick, who wears a grave expression. It's going to be a long time. We hear the sound of the typewriter.

Charlie sits at his desk. It looks like he's barely slept. He begins typing. The keys up close and loud. Clak.

CLOSE UP TYPING: "Dear friend, I have not seen my friends for 2 weeks now. I am starting to get bad again."

Charlie stares at the typewriter. And remembers.

Little Charlie pops his head around the corner from the hallway. He looks at something we can't see yet.

Present. Knock. Knock. Charlie's mom opens the door.

Charlie forces a smile, then looks back at the typewriter. And tries to shake off the memory.

Little Charlie looks at Aunt Helen as she smokes her cigarette and sobs.

Charlie is lost. His family sits in the pews for Easter Mass. Charlie watches the PRIEST recite the Lord's prayer.

7 year old Charlie watches the PRIEST recite the Lord's prayer. He looks at Aunt Helen's picture on the coffin.

16 year old Charlie looks haunted by the memory.

The voices drift away and all Charlie can see is...

7 year old Charlie takes Aunt Helen's hand to make her stop crying.

16 year old Charlie blinks as the voices come back.

Charlie on the phone. His voice wavers a bit. Desperate.

Dial tone. Charlie hangs up the phone.

Charlie is terribly anxious. He watches Bob groom some pot.

As kids open lockers and move to morning period, Charlie stares at Brad. He has a black eye and cuts on his face. He look like he was beaten up badly. Students whisper gossip.

Brad moves into the arms of CHARLOTTE (18), cheerleader cute. As Brad kisses her, Charlie sees Patrick down the hall, watching them. Patrick closes his locker. Hurting.

Patrick storms off.

Charlie sits at his table, alone. He watches Patrick leave the lunch line, passing a chorus of...

TWIN SENIOR GIRLS

Patrick says nothing. He's too sad to fight the mob today. He just moves to his table when the Nose Tackle sticks out his leg. Patrick falls on his tray. The kids laugh.

Patrick smiles to himself, dusts off, and turns to Brad.

It's too far. Brad can feel people staring.

Brad's friends laugh. Patrick's eyes narrow.

Brad stands and gets right in Patrick's face.

Patrick turns and leaves. And then, as an afterthought...

Brad's friends laugh. Patrick stops and turns. Last chance.

Smack.

Before Brad can even finish, Patrick throws a vicious right to the cheek. Brad tackles him. And the two start fighting. The cafeteria erupts in NOISE.

Brad's football buddies rise and peel Patrick off Brad.Mary Elizabeth and Sam jump up from their corner table.

The cafeteria gets louder. The Nose Tackle holds Patrick up. More Noise. The Linebacker hits Patrick in the face.

Sam rushes up and the Nose Tackle pushes her down.She lands on her tail bone. Thud. Patrick gets hit a couple of times in the face. The kids cheer the fight. It's getting louder and louder with more and more noise.And then...

Silence.

Charlie comes out from a blink. He calmly looks around. For a moment, he doesn't understand where he is.He looks up. All the kids are staring at him. Mary Elizabeth. Alice. Brad. They are all quiet. Afraid of him. Charlie looks at his hand, clenched in a fist. It is already covered with...

Charlie's confused until he sees the Linebacker holding his broken, bloody nose. He's looking at Charlie...

Terrified.

The image pans over. The Nose Tackle is on the ground. Charlie stands over them. He is disconnected. It's an out of body experience. He reaches out and helps Patrick to his feet. Then, he calmly turns and stares right through Brad.

Brad is stunned. So is everyone... except Sam.

Charlie sits in the waiting room of the principal's office. He looks through the glass where Principal Small talks to Brad. After a beat, she pats Brad's shoulder and opens the door. Leaving Charlie and Brad alone in the waiting room. Just as Brad is about to leave...

Brad doesn't look at him. He just moves on.

Charlie exits the building. Kids stare at him. Then, look away. Charlie feels very lost until he sees... Sam. She smiles. It brings him back instantly. And then, gently...

Sam can see he's afraid of himself.She nods, sympathetic.

The minute she hugs him, the numb goes away. She kisses the top of his head and puts her arm around his shoulder.They begin walking away.

Mary Elizabeth looks at us because she wants us to know...

She motions toPETER. College. Glasses. Good looking-ish.

Mary Elizabeth joins Peter. Charlie looks at his friends.

that says, "They forget. I don't." After a beat, Patrick comes downstairs. He looks sad with his bruises.

As Craig moves upstairs, Patrick approaches Charlie.

Patrick drives Sam's truck up the hill to the overlook.

Charlie and Patrick walk the lighted path, howling at the moon. Patrick holds a thermos, filled with who knows what.

More laughter. They arrive at the lookout. They drink.

They start laughing and screaming.

Patrick points to Charlie, who thinks...

Patrick walks over and sits down next to Charlie.

Patrick stops. Gripped by sad. He can't shake.

Patrick looks at him. Charlie has never seen him so vulnerable. After a beat... Patrick kisses Charlie on the mouth. Unsure of what to do, Charlie lets it happen. His eyes open the whole time. A moment, then Patrick looks at Charlie. He collapses into his chest.

Charlie holds his friend as Patrick begins to cry. And we leave them, the city lights small in the distance.

We see the truck glide down the highway.

Patrick and Charlie are parked at the entrance of Schenley Park. Patrick speaks, very animated, until...

... the words leave him, and we can see how sad he really is.

Patrick hands Sam an envelope. Sam holds it. Pins and needles.

Sam opens the letter. She reads. Tears instantly well up in her eyes. She leaves the room and walks down the hall. Patrick picks up the letter.

Charlie turns back to Sam. She holds him with sweet relief and redemption.

Charlie laughs with his friends in the cafeteria.

Charlie and a group of students stand, looking up at the wall, which is covered with...

... All The Shop Tools Painted Pink

The shop teacher, Mr. Callahan stares at the wall, furious. As the students gawk, Charlie smiles to himself.

Sam and the girls chat excitedly. Summer is almost here.

Charlie sits on his bed, finishing the letter.

Charlie puts down the letter.

The kids pass their copies of The Great Gatsby up to the front, where Bill collects them for next year's freshmen. The class is buzzing loud.

The class quiets down.

Charlie looks to see if anyone is watching... then, decides to raise his hand anyway. Bill is proud.

Charlie looks at the Smart Ass Freshman who tormented him all year. She sighs. Nothing left to say to him.

The last kids exit the classroom. Charlie walks down the aisle and stands in front of Bill.

Charlie is relieved. Bill is staying.

Charlie is quiet. Then...

He gives Bill a shy sideways hug. The two men say nothing else. Charlie waves and leaves. Bill smiles to himself.

Times Square has nothing on these seniors.Charlie watches the gang on their last day of high school.When the clock hits 10 seconds to 3pm, all the students chant...

SAM & COMPANY 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2...

They all cheer and hug each other.Patrick loses his mind with joy and charges down the hallway.

A brilliant sunset. We see the gang. In silhouette. Running up the bleachers after the sun.

Prom night. Charlie sees Candace posing for Dad's camera. For a moment, we think Candace went to prom with Derek.

As mom and dad move out of the way, we realize Candace is standing with her 3 best girlfriends.They look beautiful.

Prom night continues. The antique limo is so garish, it's great. Charlie snaps pictures with Sam's mom and Patrick's dad. Mary Elizabeth is with her boyfriend, Peter. Alice stands with Patrick, dashing in his Mod Suit Tux.

The image moves to the front of the house, where Sam emerges. She wears a vintage flapper dress from the 20's.Radiant.

Sam joins Craig. They kiss for the cameras, then run with the rest of the gang to the limosine.

The gang poses for more pictures in front of the limo.

Graduation Day. The place is packed with graduating seniors and families. Charlie's mom and dad fawn over Candace with the video camera. Charlie finally finds... Sam.

They approach each other and hug.

The kids line up for the picture they will always remember.

Patrick bows to reveal the top of his cap reads, "Nothing Hates You." The parents line up cameras. "Cheese!" Snap.

The grandfather clock reads 9:30pm.The room is festive under streamers wishing Sam luck at Penn State.The kids sign each other's yearbooks. Charlie sees Sam smile at old photos. He misses her already.

10:28pm. Charlie doesn't know where the time keeps going. Sam opens goodbye presents from her friends.

Charlie watches Sam pick up his present.She carefully peels the tape to reveal that Charlie gave her all of his books.

He nods. They lock eyes and do not speak.

The pictures are down. The dressers empty. The suitcase is open on the bed. Charlie watches Sam fold clothes and put them in her suitcase. He has promised himself he will not cry. Even when she packs away his Beatles 45 of "Something."

Instead, he looks at her and tries to remember every detail. Her hair and brown eyes and sound of her voice.

Sam moves some suitcases over to the pile in the room.They stand next to each other. Close.

He says it sober. Without judgement. Sam lets it sink in. Charlie walks over to the bed to do more packing.Then, she turns to him.

Charlie didn't expect that. He is silent. Heart pounding.

Sam waits. And Charlie finally speaks from the heart.

He can't contain himself anymore. He moves to her and kisses her. They stand. Move to the bed. Kissing. Charlie's heart pounds. They sit on the bed. Still kissing.

We see her fingertips. Her hand on Charlie's knee. When she touches him, Charlie pulls away from her.Shocked. Like he's seen a ghost. It hits Charlie like freezing water.

Charlie shakes off whatever was bothering him and continues

It's like a dream for Charlie. He watches Sam hug Alice and Mary Elizabeth goodbye. But Charlie is somewhere else.

Charlie can't take it. He moves to the side of the truck and puts in the last suitcase. He looks over at Sam.

QUICK FLASH... Charlie remembers kissing Sam the night before. Her hand touches Charlie's knee.

BACK TO PRESENT:

Charlie snaps himself out of it. He turns back as Mary Elizabeth and Alice part ways. Charlie locks eyes with Sam. They take a moment. And then they come together to hug. She kisses him goodbye, trying not to cry.

After a moment, Sam climbs into the driver's seat of her truck with Patrick riding shotgun.Charlie looks dazed.

QUICK FLASH... Charlie remembers pulling away from Sam. Shocked. Like he's seen a ghost.

BACK TO PRESENT:

Sam starts the truck. Charlie wants to scream for her to stop. But he's frozen. She drives away. He watches her go. The truck gets smaller in the distance until it turns at the stop sign. And disappears. Charlie stands there, alone.

QUICK FLASH... Charlie remembers the night with Sam.We see her put her hand on his knee. The image moves up the arm. To the shoulder. To the face. And we reveal, we are not in Sam's bedroom. And it is not Sam touching Charlie. But...

Aunt Helen

BACK TO REALITY:

The memory only registers as a small blink of his eye. Charlie sees his friends are crying.He's not. He's numb.

Charlie walks down the street. His eyes far away. The images and memories are short, violent bursts.If you've never had an anxiety attack, this is how it feels.

QUICK FLASH. It's Christmas Eve. Aunt Helen smiles to Little Charlie.

Little Charlie nods.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie walks toward us on the sidewalk. We see him through a long lens. His image fractures. We see him in different planes of the image.He's beginning to break apart. One image. Two images.

QUICK FLASH. Little Candace is asleep on the floor. Aunt Helen sits next to Little Charlie on the sofa.

BACK TO PRESENT. We see Charlie fracturing. The pieces scattered. Out of focus. Lost. He's all over the frame.

QUICK FLASH. Aunt Helen points to Little Candace.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie enters his house.

QUICK FLASH. Aunt Helen gets hit by the semi-truck.

QUICK FLASH. Little Charlie's mom opens the door to reveal a policeman.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie is in the same entry hall in the same house 8 years later. Banging his head against the wall. "It's my fault. It's all my fault."

He passes the photo wall on the stairs.We see the images of the family. Church. Communion. Baby pictures. Years of history staring at us. Ghosts on the wall.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie sits at his desk. We see him from behind. Perfectly still. Trying to keep himself calm.

QUICK FLASH. Charlie thinks everyone is staring at him. His sister and her friends. His brother and mother. Mary Elizabeth and Alice. And worst of all... Sam and Patrick the night they toasted him. A paranoid nightmare.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie's falling to pieces. The tears run down his face.

QUICK FLASH. Derek hits Candace. Patrick hits Brad. The cafeteria erupts into violence.

And Charlie remembers what he's blacked out.

We see him in the cafeteria. Terrifying. He thinks he sees Aunt Helen as he breaks the Linebacker's nose.Hits another in the throat. And pushes another. Charlie looks at his hand, covered in blood. The whole school staring at him.

BACK TO PRESENT. Charlie holds his head. Trying to stuff the pictures back in his brain. But he can't. They keep coming and coming, faster and faster.Sam's hand, Little Charlie on top of the stairs, the police telling him Aunt Helen is dead.

We go behind his head. The image moves closer and closer. Until it feels like we are inside Charlie's mind.

We see Candace hanging out with her girlfriends at a friend's backyard pool. Her FRIEND (18, pretty) holds the cordless.

Candace casually picks up the phone.

Candace looks like she got hit with ice water.She knows her brother. She knows this voice. Candace covers the phone.

Dial tone.

We begin in the house. It's silent. The hallway. The entry hall. The empty bedroom. Charlie's typewriter on his desk.

It's all so quiet. And then, we see Charlie walking down the hallway. He turns the corner and enters the...

Kitchen. One room. Charlie doesn't know where he is anymore. The past and present have bled together.

QUICK FLASH. We see Little Charlie turn the corner into the kitchen. BACK TO PRESENT as 16 year old Charlie stands in the same kitchen, breathing shallow.

QUICK FLASH. 7 year old Charlie walks up to Aunt Helen sitting at the kitchen table. BACK TO PRESENT as 16 year old Charlie begins to have a full blown anxiety attack.

QUICK FLASH. 7 year old Charlie takes Aunt Helen's hand and turns it over... to reveal her wrist scars.

BACK TO PRESENTas Charlie looks from the table to the counter with the bread and the KNIVES.He stares at the knives for a moment. Just as...

The Policemen break down the door.

We see Charlie's reflection in the window.The door opens slowly, and his psychiatrist, Dr. Burton, enters.She finds him sitting in the corner. He has been crying.

This news hits Charlie hard. He begins to panic.

Charlie breaks.

Dr. Burton smiles, sympathetic. Charlie nods, relieved that someone finally understands. Until...

Like cold water. What was tears is now confusion and soon to be shame. Dr. Burton is gentle to him.

Charlie looks at her, nodding her encouragement.

The minute he says one word of truth, he feels ashamed.He stops talking. Dr. Burton does not press him. Not today.

Charlie cries and nods.

We move away from them as Charlie's voice trails off.

The sun creeps through the windows.We can hear birds outside. The intercom is quiet. Charlie is alone. He looks at Sam's typewriter. "Dear Friend" is already typed.

Charlie picks up a get well card from Sam.

Dr. Burton walks Charlie's parents down the hallway.

In the distance, we see Charlie's mom and dad stop.Shocked.

Charlie looks up and sees his mom and dad in the doorway.

His mother comes to hold him.

For a second, we see the emotion his father hides behind the sports page, before he chokes it down.He walks over to his son and kisses his forehead.

Charlie, Chris, and Candace sit on the bed, playing cards.

Charlie leaves his room with his suitcase in hand.His mother waits in the hallway with Dr. Burton.

Charlie nods and leaves the hospital with his mother.

Dr. Burton smiles, then turns back into the hospital.

The family sits at the dinner table.

After they say "Amen," the room falls silent.The family is on pins and needles. No one touches their food. Until...

As things return to normal, dad picks up his paper.Candace talks about the books she'll need for college.Everyone starts eating. And Charlie smiles, happy to just be home.

Ding dong. The door opens to reveal Patrick, smiling.

Charlie's mother smiles. Charlie smiles, too. Especially when he sees... Sam. Standing next to Patrick. Her hair a little different. Her eyes alive and happy.

The gang of three sit at their booth.Sam and Patrick have their coffee. Charlie has his brownie. Like always.

Charlie laughs. Sam smiles. After a beat...

Sam puts a cassette tape down on the table.

Charlie looks at Sam and Patrick, who smile.

The three leave the restaurant and jump into Sam's truck. Patrick drives. Charlie in the middle. Sam the passenger.

The three friends are flying down the highway in Sam's truck. The music blaring. The wind making their hair dance.

With Sam's help, Charlie climbs through the little window

Charlie gets into the back of the truck.He sits down, looking back at the highway. Watching everywhere he's been.

We see Charlie in profile. The night sky behind him until...

... they enter the tunnel, and we realize just how fast they're driving. The white tiles of the tunnel whiz by at blinding speed. A perfect night. A perfect drive. Flying.

Charlie turns to face forward. To the moment. To Sam, smiling at him from the front seat.

Sam kisses Charlie. Then, she turns, and all three kids look ahead to everything in front of them.Charlie begins to stand in the back of the truck. Ready to leave the tunnel.

Charlie stands in the back of the truck.The wind on his face. He is free.

We see the moment as Charlie sees it.The tunnel's exit getting bigger and brighter with the lights of the city behind it.

The tunnel song blasts over the speakers as the truck flies out of the tunnel. Sam and Patrick scream with excitement. Charlie holds his arms in the air.The weight of the world gone. If only for a moment. This one moment. We see the city. A million lights like white stars in a glass dome. We crane to the sky. We are in Heaven.