PLEASANTVILLE

     REVERSE ANGLE. HIS POV.

     His mother loads the final Louis Vuitton bag into her
     Mercedes.

                         DAVID
               ... because that's just not what it's
               like.

     She fires up the car and pulls out of the driveway...

                         DAVID (CONT)
               Listen Howard--it's almost six-thirty.
               I gotta go.

     INT. WAGNER LIVING ROOM.

     The huge black TV sits like a monolith in the middle of the
     room. All at once David comes bounding down the stairs making
     a B-Iine for the couch. Jennifer enters just as quickly from
     the other direction, fiddling with her clothes.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE.

     They hit the coffee table and reach for the remote control at
     exactly the same moment. Both of them freeze then look up at
     each other in shock.

                         JENNIFER
                    (stunned)
               What are you doing?

                         DAVID
               What are you doing?

     Neither one moves. They clutch the remote together.

                         JENNIFER
               David, cut it out. Mark Davis is gonna
               like be here in five minutes.

                         DAVID
               Well great. The Pleasantville Marathon
               starts at six thirty.

                         JENNIFER
               Pleasantville Marathon?

                         DAVID
                    (almost reverently)
               Yeah. Every episode ever.

                         JENNIFER
                    (getting hysterical)
               Omigod, I don't be-lieeeeve this! He's
               gonna like beeeee here!

                         DAVID
               Weil great. You can watch TV upstairs.

                         JENNIFER
               Upstairs! Up-staiiirs! There isn't any
               STEREO!

     Jennifer gets panicked and yanks at the remote. David yanks
     back and before they know it, the remote goes flying out of
     their hands, CRASHING onto the hardwood floor. lt smashes
     into a million tiny pieces.

                         DAVID
                    (breathless)
               Oh my God ...
                    (sinking to his knees/
                    scooping up the remains)
               Oh my God ...

                         JENNIFER
               David, stop stressing, you can like--
               turn it on normally ...

                         DAVID
               No you can't, Jen! It's a new TV. It
               doesn't work without a remote.

     David cradles the pieces like a fallen comrade, when the
     DOORBELL RINGS behind him.

                         JENNIFER
               Oh my God! He's here!

     Jennifer sweeps some of the pieces frantically under the sofa
     and tries to adjust her outfit on the way to the door. David
     just stares in shock at the shattered plastic. Jennifer
     reaches the front door and wets her lips. She fluffs her hair
     quickly, sticks out her chest then swings it open.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE. FRONT DOOR.

     Jennifer steps forward with her sexiest smile, but it isn't
     Mark Davis on the other side. DICK VAN DYKE STANDS ACROSS THE
     THRESHOLD IN A TV REPAIRMAN'S OUTFIT. Jennifer looks at him
     puzzled. He steps forward, flashing her a chipper grin,
     toolbox in hand.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               TV repair.

                         JENNIFER
                    (beat)
               TV repair?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Yeah. TV busted?

                         JENNIFER
                    (pause ...)
               Yeah ...

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (smiling wider)
               Well here I am.

     REVERSE ANGLE. DAVID'S POV.

     He glances out the front door toward a weird VAN parked at
     the curb. It says TV REPAIR on the side but looks like
     something from a medicine show. The antenna on top resembles
     a weather vane and the mural beneath it depicts a happy
     family from the 1950s, gathered around their TV set. Everyone
     wears a smile, including the dog. The hand-painted motto
     reads "Rob's TV Repair--WE'LL FIX YOU FOR GOOD."

     INT. LIVING ROOM.

     David looks back at Dick Van Dyke who smiles at him, then
     crosses to the living room STEPPING NIMBLY AROUND THE
     OTTOMAN. He heads toward the TV.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (seeing the smashed remote)
               Holy cow. Look at that. Had a little
               disaster didn't ya fella.

                         DAVID
               Yeah ... Sort of ...

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (setting down the toolbox)
               We'll get you fixed up in no time.

     He pops the top of the tool box while Jennifer and David just
     stare. It's a strange looking box with the same happy family
     painted on the side. Dick Van Dyke pulls out another remote.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               I know how I'd feel if mine went out.
               Almost like losing a friend.

                         DAVID
                    (tentatively)
               You know, we didn't call any TV repair.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Well that makes it a lucky day for both
               of us, hunh?

     Jennifer shuts the door and crosses down toward the living
     room.

                         JENNIFER
               You think you could do this like soon?
               It's almost six thirty.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               What's the rush?

                         DAVID
                    (cutting her off)
               The Pleasantville Marathon starts at six
               thirty.

     At that moment there is a huge FORK OF LIGHTNING and a
     booming CLAP OF THUNDER. It literally rattles the walls of
     the house as Dick Van Dyke turns toward David.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Pleasantville?

     David recoils slightly. Dick Van Dyke flashes him a smile.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               Gosh, I loved that show. Watched it for
               years.

                         JENNIFER
               That's not the reason. I've got a date
               at six thirty.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (ignoring her/
                    leaning closer to David)
               Hey--who did Muff in take to the
               masquerade ball when her date came down
               with the measles?

                         DAVID
                    (stunned)
               ... Her father.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Right. And how did she dress him?

                         DAVID
                    (still staring)
               ... Like Prince Charming.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (studying David/
                    nodding)
               Nice ... Nice ...

                         JENNIFER
               Um--hello? I've got like a social
               emergency here.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (ignoring her)
               Remember the one where Bud lost his
               cousin when he was s'posed to be
               watching him?

                         DAVID
               Yeah ...

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               What department store did they go to?

                         DAVID
               McIntire's.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               McGinty's.

                         DAVID
               No. McIntire's. Remember:
                    (sings)
               "For the very best in men's attire,
               Head right down to McIntire's."

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (stunned)
               That's right.

     He stares at David, speechless, for a moment, then smiles
     fondly and reaches beside him for his tool kit.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               Say--why don't you take this remote
               instead. It's got a little more "Ooomph"
               in it.

                         DAVID
               Ooomph?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Sure. Big beautiful set like this--you
               want something that'll put you right in
               the show.

                         JENNIFER
                    (quickly)
               We'll take it.

     CLOSER.

     He flashes them a big smile and holds out a weird looking
     contraption that seems more primitive than space age. It's a
     strange combination of an early transistor radio and Flash
     Gordon ray gun. Dick Van Dyke extends it with pride, while
     Jennifer and David stare at him warily ...

                         DAVID
                    (beat)
               How much does it cost?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Oh--couldn't charge you for something
               like that. It's free.

                         JENNIFER
               Free?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Oh sure. Big fan like yourself. It's the
               least I could do.

     There is a SECOND CLAP OF THUNDER even louder than the first.
     The house rattles for a moment then is quiet.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               Well, I better get going. Your show's
               almost on, and ...
                    (smiling at Jennifer)
               It's almost time for your date.

     He places the remote control gingerly on the coffee table and
     smiles at them. Dick starts across the living room when he
     suddenly catches his foot on the leg of the ottoman and
     tumbles end over end. He rolls on the carpet, executes a
     perfect somersault and comes right back to a standing
     position. David and Jennifer stare at him stunned when he
     looks back at them and smiles.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
                    (grinning)
               Take care now.

     There is another flash of lightning as he reaches for the
     doorknob. David and Jennifer look at one another while the
     front door shuts with a THUD. It's quiet for a second or two
     before there is another CLAP OF THUNDER. David cocks his
     head.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE.

     David glances down at the strange contraption sitting on the
     coffee table. It looks a little scary. Slowly, very slowy, he
     reaches down and touches it. Nothing seems to happen so he
     picks it up.

     CLOSER.

     David points the remote toward the TV set with an
     apprehensive look on his face. He winces a little, then
     pushes one of the buttons.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE.

     The TV set turns on. Oprah's face fills the screen as an
     angry housewife screams at a transvestite!

                         DAVID
               Hunh.

     It ail seems normal as he pushes another button. This time
     the channel changes.

                         DAVID (CONT)
                    (relaxing)
               Great.

     He continues to press the button, flipping through the
     channels. Jennifer sees that everything is fine and reaches
     for the remote.

                         JENNIFER
               Lemme see that.

                         DAVID
               No way.

     He continues to flip through the channels, coming to rest on
     the Pleasantville Marathon.

     BUD'S VOICE fills the room.

                         BUD (OS)
                    (on TV)
               Gee whizz, Mary Sue--why can't I borrow
               your transistor radio?

                         MARY SUE (OS)
                    (on TV)
               I promised Betty Jane she could use it
               over the weekend.

     FULL SHOT. TV SET. "PLEASANTVILLE" (BLACK AND WHITE)

     Bud and Mary Sue clutch either end of a small transistor
     radio. They seem to be in the EXACT SAME POSITION as David
     and Jennifer, who are struggling over the remote control.

     ANGLE. DAVID AND JENNIFER.

     She tugs the remote while David yanks in the other direction.

                         JENNIFER
               Do you mind. This is like the most
               important moment of my whole life.

                         DAVID
               Forget it Jen, I've waited a year for
               this.

                         BUD (OS)
                    (on TV)
               "But I told Mr. Miller I'd bring a
               transistor in to electric shop."

                         MARY SUE (OS)
                    (on TV)
               "And I told Betty Jean she could have it
               for the picnic with Roy."

                         JENNIFER
                    (yanking at it)
               God, David. Just give it to me!

                         DAVID
                    (yanking it back)
               Get lost!

                         JENNIFER
               YOU get lost!

     WIDER. LIVING ROOM.

     She tugs at the remote trying to wrestle it out of his hands.
     David pulls in the opposite direction as they POINT IT
     DIRECTLY TOWARD THE TV.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE. SPECIAL EFFECT.

     A huge white light emanates from the contraption, like their
     own atomic blast wave. The entire room is filled with a
     BLINDING AURA for a second or two, before it actually gets
     sucked into the TV.

     WIDE ANGLE. LIVING ROOM.

     It is suddenly empty--illuminated only by the soft glow of
     the picture tube. David and Jennifer are nowhere in sight.

     INT. PARKER LIVING ROOM. (PLEASANTVILLE) DAY.

     David and Jennifer are standing in the middle of the 1950's
     living room, dressed in Bud and Mary Sue's clothing. They
     still clutch the remote control in the exact same position
     that was occupied by their fictional counterparts. David and
     Jennifer glance at one another, then look horrified around
     the room. THE WORLD HAS TURNED TO BLACK AND WHITE...

                         DAVID
                    (a whisper)
               Oh my God.

                         JENNIFER
               What happened?

                         DAVID
               I'm not sure.

     WIDER

     George Parker (Bud and Mary Sue's father) enters from the
     landing whistling a happy tune. He's dressed in a gray suit
     with a gray shirt, and a dark gray tie with little gray dots.

                         GEORGE
                    (as if to his own children)
               Hi Sport, hi Muffin ... Better get a
               move on, you're gonna be late for school.

     He continues to cross through the living room whistling into
     the kitchen ...

                         JENNIFER
                    (desperately)
               What did you do?

                         DAVID
               I don't know.

                         JENNIFER
                    (examining her black and white skin)
               Uchh! Look at me?! I'm like so ... pasty!

     He glances down at the remote control that sits lifeless in
     his hand. David frantically presses the buttons but nothing
     happens. All at once, there is a voice behind them.

                         VOICE (OS)
               Psst! Over here.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE.

     They whirl around to see DICK VAN DYKE'S FACE smiling at them
     from the TV set in the comer. It's an old '50s set with a big
     round picture tube. They run over to him as he smiles. His
     face is the only color in the room.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (beaming)
               Told you it was your lucky day. Bet you
               thought I was just a fan or something.

                         JENNIFER
               What happened?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               A miracle.

     They stare stunned at the TV set.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               ... See, every time I thought I'd found
               someone they'd turn out to disappoint me.
               They'd know the early episodes, but they
               wouldn't know the later ones ... They'd
               know all about Muffin but they wouldn't
               know about Bud ...

                         DAVID
                    (to the TV set)
               What the hell's going on!

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Shh! Can't talk like that now. You're
               in ...
                    (smiles)
               You know ...

     David glances around at his black and white surroundings. His
     "mother's" voice rings out from the kitchen.

                         BETTY (OS)
               Bud. Mary Sue ... Breakfast is on the
               table.

                         DAVID
               We're in Pleasantville?

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (grinning)
               Dream come true, hunh?

                         JENNIFER
                    (panicking)
               This isn't funny! I happen to have a
               very important date in like five minutes!

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Well, you don't have to worry about that
               anymore.

     FULL SHOT. TELEVISION SET. (COLOR)

     All at once the scene on the TV changes and Dick Van Dyke's
     picture gives way to a WIDE ANGLE SHOT of the WAGNER HOUSE.
     Mark Davis is standing at the front door, BANGING on the
     brass knocker. He checks his watch, shifts restlessly for a
     moment or two, then turns and heads down the flagstone walk
     never looking back.

                         MARK DAVIS
                    (under his breath)
               ... Bitch.

     INT. PARKER LIVING ROOM. (BLACK AND WHITE AGAIN)

     Jennifer flings herself at the screen, as Dick Van Dyke
     appears all over again.

                         JENNIFER
               Noooooo!

                         DAVID
               You--you gotta get us out of here.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (recoiling slightly)
               Why would I do that?

                         DAVID
               Because we don't belong!

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               Oh sure you do ... "McIntire's
               Department store" ... "Their father
               dressed as Prince Charming." That was
               gorgeous Bud.

                         DAVID
               My name's David.

                         JENNIFER
                    (wailing on the floor)
               Oh GOD ...

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (a little snippy)
               You know--this is a pretty strange way
               of showing your appreciation.

                         DAVID
               Look--we appreciate it. We really do. We
               just--we want to go home now.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (hurt)
               But you don't know how long I've been
               looking for someone like you.

     A long face slowly descends on him.

                         DICK VAN DYKE (CONT)
               I'm very disappointed ...
                    (deep breath)
               In fact ... I'm starting to get a little
               upset.

     David moves toward the screen.

                         DAVID
               Don't get upset.

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (snapping back)
               Weil wouldn't you! You look for someone
               for years ... You pour your heart into
               it ... This is a privilege you know.
                    (shakes his head)
               I don't think I better talk about this
               right now.

                         DAVID
               Where are you going ...

                         DICK VAN DYKE
               I don't think we should discuss this
               until I'm a little bit more composed.

                         DAVID
               WAIT A MINUTE!!

                         DICK VAN DYKE
                    (turning his back)
               Maybe in a day or so when I'm not so
               emotional ...

                         DAVID
               COME BACK!!!

     Dick Van Dyke shakes his head and walks out of the shot as
     the screen goes completely BLACK. It cuts out entirely as
     Jennifer and David just stare. David grabs the remote and
     starts rapidly pushing buttons.

     Nothing happens.

                         DAVID (CONT)
                    (dropping the gizmo)
               Oh God.

                         JENNIFER
               What's going to happen?

                         DAVID
               I don't know ... It's not possible ...
                    (looking at her)
               Is it possible?

                         BETTY (OS)
               Bu-ud ... Mary Sue ... Your breakfast is
               getting cold.

                         DAVID
               It can't be possible.

     DIFFERENT ANGLE.

     Betty (their "mother") sticks her head into the living room
     wearing her black and white apron. She has a great big
     Pepsodent smile.

                         BETTY
               Well, come on kids. You're not going off
               to school without a hot breakfast inside
               you ...

     They just stare at her.

                         BETTY (CONT)
               Forward march.

     They exchange a strange little glance then slowly rise to
     their feet. Jennifer waits for David who forces a smile then
     starts toward the kitchen.

                         BETTY (CONT)
               I just love you in that sweater Mary-Sue.
               It's so flattering.

                         JENNIFER
                    (dazed)
               Thanks.

     INT. KITCHEN.

     David and Jennifer walk two steps into the kitchen when they
     suddenly freeze--agape at the spectacle in front of them:

     THEIR POV. PARKER KITCHEN.

     Every breakfast food imaginable has been laid upon the table.
     There are hotcakes and sausages and biscuits and eggs.
     Pitchers of orange juice are dwarfed by the mountains of ham.
     The table literally sags under the weight of the food. George
     Parker lowers his morning paper and smiles at his children.

                         GEORGE
                    (once again)
               Morning kids. Better get a move on or
               you're going to be late for school.

     They nod, stunned, and wander forward into the room. Bright
     sunlight streams through the kitchen window as a gentle
     symphony of songbirds sings outside. David and Jennifer stare
     straight ahead as their "mother" adds some waffles to the
     heap.

                         DAVID
                    (under his breath)
               I don't believe this.

                         JENNIFER
               Neither do I.

                         GEORGE
               Well, c'mon. Dig in.

     David and Jennifer stare at her stunned as she puts two
     heaping plates at their places. Neither one moves.