PLEASANTVILLE

     He pulls a photo album from the back of the desk and opens
     it for David.

                         DAVID
                    (impressed)
               Wow ... That's pretty good ...

                         MR. JOHNSON
               Thanks.
                    (continuing)
               But this morning I was thinking about
               it and I realized that I looked forward
               to it all year. And then I thought "Gee.
               That seems awfully silly. That seems
               like an awfully long time to be waiting
               for just one moment, don't you think?"

     David looks at him speechless.

                         MR. JOHNSON (CONT)
               Well don't you?

                         DAVID
               I think you should try not to think
               about this anymore.

                         MR. JOHNSON
               Really?

                         DAVID
               Yeah.

                         MR. JOHNSON
               Oh. Okay. I'll try that then.

                                                       CUT TO:

     INT. BARBERSHOP. DAY

     The Barber Pole spins in three shades of gray. Several men
     are gathered around the two chairs in the front of Gus' shop.
     Besides being the barbershop, it is the bastion of all male
     life in Pleasantville. Bud and Mary Sue's "father" (George)
     sits in one of the chairs. "Big Bob" McGee, owner of the
     drugstore, supermarket and Chevy dealership sits in the
     other. He has a crew cut that's getting shorter.

                         GUS
               Have they ever lost before?

                         GEORGE
               Basketball? No they sure haven't.

                         BOB
               Just feels "wrong", that's all.

     There are several murmurs.

                         THIRD PATRON
               Maybe that's where they get that saying,
               "can't win 'em all."

                         GUS
               Yeah. That's a good point, Ralph. They
               do have that saying.

                         BOB
               But they do win 'em all, Gus. They've
               always won 'em all.

                         GUS
               Well, yeah. That's true too.

     More murmurs, Everyone looks straight ahead trying to figure.

                                                       CUT TO:

     INT. PARKER KITCHEN. DAY.

     The women's bridge club has assembled in the Parker kitchen
     like it does every Wednesday afternoon. Four women are seated
     around the kitchen table with a nice bowl of bridge mix
     between them. Betty is sifting next to Marge Jenkins, the
     woman who accompanied her daughter to the doctor's office.

                         MARGE
                    (dealing the cards)
               ... He said it would clear up on its
               own if she just stayed away from fried
               foods and sweets ...

                         BETTY
               Well that makes sense.

                         MARGE
               Except it's spread to her lips now too.
               Oh, I don't know.

                         MARY
                    (a THIRD WOMAN)
               And you say it's just "red?"

                         MARGE
               Well--like red, only ... "redder."

                         MARY
               Hunh. I know what you mean. That's like
               the front of Bill Johnson's shop. I was
               going by it the other day and it looked
               green only "greener."

     SHOT. BETTY.

     She looks up quickly--then grabs some bridge mix.

                         MARGE
                    (lowering her voice)
               Have you seen him lately? The man
               doesn't look like himself. I was
               getting my sewing machine fixed across
               the street and he was sitting in the
               window of his shop just staring.
               Wasn't looking at anything in
               particular--just staring off into space.

                         MARY
               That is strange.

     Betty reaches out and grabs her cards. She fans them out in
     front of her, when her eyes go wide.

     HER POV. BRIDGE HAND.

     They are ALL HEARTS and all BRIGHT RED. It looks like a
     fistfful of valentines.

     CLOSE UP. BETTY.

     She puts the cards down quickly and takes a sudden breath.
     Betty keeps them like that for a moment or two, before
     lifting them up and taking another look.

                         MARGE
               Betty, it's your bid.

     She swallows trying to keep her composure.

                         BETTY
               Uh ... Seven hearts.

     They murmur at the strength of the hand.

                                                       CUT TO:

     EXT. PARKER HOUSE. NIGHT.

     The SOUND of the television plays OS while a warm light burns
     in the window.

     INT. KITCHEN.

     Jennifer and Betty stand at the sink finishing the dishes.
     Betty washes while Jennifer dries and it's clear who's more
     used to this. Jennifer examines a chipped nail as she places
     a dish in the drying rack.

                         BETTY
               Mary Sue?

                         JENNIFER
               Yeah?

     Betty hesitates. Rinses out a pot.

                         BETTY
               Can I ask you a question?

                         JENNIFER
               Sure.

     She pauses for a long moment.

                         BETTY
               What goes on up at Lover's Lane?

                         JENNIFER
                    (turning toward her)
               What do you mean?

                         BETTY
               Well, you hear all these things lately.
               You know--kids spending so much time up
               there ...
                    (she looks over)
               Is it holding hands? That kind of thing?

                         JENNIFER
               Yeah ...
                    (beat)
               That--and ...

     She stops herself.

                         BETTY
               What?

                         JENNIFER
               It doesn't matter.

                         BETTY
               No. I want to know.

                         JENNIFER
                    (glances toward the living room/
                    lowers her voice)
               ... Sex.

                         BETTY
               Ah.

     Betty nods from the import of the tone but not the meaning. A
     beat goes by ...

                         BETTY (CONT)
               What's sex?

     Jennifer looks over at her stunned, but Betty just looks at
     her with a blank, curious expression. Jennifer hesitates.

                         JENNIFER
               You sure you want to know this?

                         BETTY
               Yes.

                         JENNIFER
               Okay.

     She crosses to the kitchen door and closes it. The sounds of
     the TV in the living room disappear. Jennifer crosses back to
     the kitchen counter and turns to her.

                         JENNIFER (CONT)
               You see Mom ...
                    (softer and with understanding)
               When two people like each other very
               much ...

     Betty looks at her and nods ...

                                                       DISSOLVE TO:

     EXT. PARKER HOUSE. NIGHT.

     The TV keeps flickering in the window.

     INT. KITCHEN. LATER ...

     The CAMERA PANS across the kitchen table where there is a
     full quart of milk and some uneaten co6kies. It finally comes
     to rest on Jennifer who is staring across the kitchen table
     with a concerned look on her face.

                         JENNIFER
               You okay?

     REVERSE ANGLE. BETTY.

     She nods--shaken but "fine." Betty stares long and hard at
     the plate of chocolate chip cookies. She's far away.

                         BETTY
               Yes ...
                    (softly)
               It's just that ...

                         JENNIFER
                    (gently)
               What?

                         BETTY
               Well ...
                    (looking up)
               ... Your father would never do anything
               like that.

     SHOT. JENNIFER.

     She bites her lip weighing her next sentence ...

                         JENNIFER
                    (leaning forward)
               Oh. Hmm ...
                    (whisper/
                    woman to woman)
               Well, Mom ... there's ways to "enjoy"
               yourself without Dad.

     ANGLE. BETTY.

     She looks across the table, perplexed.

                                                       CUT TO:

     INT. PARKER BEDROOM. NIGHT.

     George crosses from the dresser to the TWO TWIN BEDS in the
     middle of the room. He wears long sleeve pajamas that are
     buttoned up to the neck. George puts his glass of warm milk
     on the nightstand and climbs in his own single bed. It is
     barely wide enough for his body and takes some maneuvering.

                         GEORGE
               Sweetie? You coming to bed?

     There is no answer.

                         GEORGE (CONT)
               Betty?

     INT. BATHROOM.

     She stands in her bathrobe staring down at the tub. Her
     dressing gown is buttoned to the neck as well.

                         BETTY
                    (calling out)
               Yeah ... I'm just going to take a bath
               first.

     CLOSER. BETTY.

     She swallows once as she stares down at the tub--then reaches
     for the spigot and turns on the water. Betty's heart beats a
     little faster as she HEARS the WATER THUNDERING DOWN.

     CLOSER STILL ...

     Betty reaches up and unties the little silk ribbon at the top
     of her robe. She slips it off, and lets it drop to the floor,
     standing naked in the middle of the bathroom. Betty glances
     toward the mirror and then quickly glances away. She takes a
     deep breath and steps into the tub.

     EVEN TIGHTER. ON HER FACE ...

     Betty slides down into the warm water, breathing in the
     steam, and closing her eyes for a moment. She lingers like
     that for a second or two, before settling a little lower in
     the tub. Betty opens her eyes, but they only half open. There
     is the slight trace of a smile.

     EXTREME CLOSE UP BETTY'S FACE.

     Her eyes close again as she bites her lower lip gently. The
     water continues to THUNDER DOWN as she arches her back.
     Betty's breathing seems to quicken as she opens her eyes all
     over again:

     HER POV. BATHROOM ...

     ALL AT ONCE, EVERYTHING AROUND STARTS TO TURN FROM BLACK AND
     WHITE TO COLOR. A BIRD OUT THE WINDOW BECOMES A RED BREASTED
     ROBIN. THE TILE ON THE TUB TURNS OUT TO BE PURPLE. GREEN
     TOWEL ... PINK ROBE ... BRIGHT YELLOW DAISIES ON THE PLASTIC
     SHOWER CURTAIN.

     CLOSE UP. BETTY'S FACE.

     She stares in amazment. Beads of sweat form on Betty's
     forehead as the world goes to TECHNICOLOR. The THUNDERING
     WATER POUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND, but beneath can be heard the
     beginnings of a faint, low, MOAN. Her eyes dart around the
     room. Her breathing quickens: Faster ... Harder ... More
     intense ... THEN SUDDENLY ...

     EXT. ELM STREET. NIGHT.

     The HUGE ELM TREE across the street suddenly BURSTS INTO
     FLAMES. Fire shoots straight up into the sky as billowing
     clouds of black smoke fill the air. BRIGHT ORANGE FLAMES
     LIGHT UP THE NIGHT.

     INT. PARKER LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.

     David is staring at the television set when he notices a
     weird orange glow. He glances behind him, out the living room
     window ...

                         DAVID
               Oh my God!

     EXT. ELM STREET. NIGHT.

     David comes racing out of the front door and down the walk. A
     small CROWD has gathered in front of the fire. (They don't
     seem frightened--just sort of amazed.) The street is still
     BLACK AND WHITE but it is now bathed in a weird ORANGE LIGHT.
     The flames leap higher and higher ...

                         DAVID
               Jesus Christ ...

     FOLLOWING DAVID.

     He takes off down the block, as fast as he can run. The crowd
     continues to stare as David turns the corner at Main
     Street ...

     EXT. FIRE STATION.

     He races in the front of the building SCREAMING at the top of
     his lungs.

                         DAVID
               FIRE! FIRE!

     INT. FIRE STATION.

     There is no sign of life on the ground floor. David races up
     the stairs toward the bunk room on the second story.

     INT. BUNKROOM.

     All the firemen are sitting around playing Gin Rummy when
     David rushes in the front door. They can hear his voice from
     down the hall.

                         DAVID
                    (entering)
               FIRE ... FIRE ...

     They still don't move. All the firemen just look at him from
     their bunks with a perplexed expression.

                         DAVID (CONT)
                    (beat)
               CAT!!!

     All at once they spring to their feet grabbing their helmets
     and their yellow slickers. They race to the landing just
     outside the bunkroom and leap onto the pole ...

     EXT. MAIN STREET. NIGHT.

     The FIRE HAS SPREAD TO AN ADJOINING TREE as the FIRE ENGINE
     comes SCREAMING toward the house from the top of the block.
     David sits in the front of the truck next to the Fire Chief
     who drives the vehicle at break neck speed.

                         DAVID
               Right here!

     The Fire ENGINE screeches to a halt. The Fire Chief looks
     around ...

                         FIRE CHIEF
               Where is it?

     David shoots him a look then glances at the inferno. He
     shakes his head and leaps from the truck.

     FOLLOWING DAVID.

     He races around to the back where the other firemen are
     standing just as confused. David grabs one of the hoses and
     begins to pull it from the truck.

                         DAVID
               Here! Grab this nozzle.

                         FIREMAN
               But where's the ...

                         DAVID
               Just grab it!

     He strips out about fifteen feet of hose, then grabs the
     fireman and pulls him toward the curb. David parts the crowd
     and positions the man right in front of the flames.

                         DAVID (CONT)
                    (shouting)
               Okay! Now point this right at the
               flames--like this.

     The Fireman nods and does as he is told. David opens the
     valve sending out a huge FLUME OF WATER.

                         FIREMAN
               Whoa!
                    (beat)
               So that's what these do.

     A huge smile breaks out across the fireman's face--like a man
     who has suddenly found his purpose in life. He beams from ear
     to ear dousing the flames, while David runs to get another
     hose ...

                         BOB (VO)
                    (fading in)
               ... In honor and in recognition of
               your heroism ...

                                                       DISSOLVE TO:

     EXT. TOWN HALL. DAY

     David stands at a podium receiving a commendation from "Big"
     Bob McGee (the man from the barbershop). He holds a large
     plaque up for public display, while "David's" whole family
     beams in the background.

                         BOB
               ... And with great appreciation from
               the citizens of Pleasantville ...

     WIDER.

     A huge crowd is gathered on the town hall steps. There are
     lots of balloons and bunting.

                         BOB
               I am pleased to present You with this
               special commendation, from the
               Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce!

     He hands the plaque to David as the entire town bursts into
     APPLAUSE.

                                                       CUT TO:

     EXT. MAIN STREET. LATER ...

     David walks away from the center of town looking down at his
     plaque. He takes his sleeve and starts to rub off a smudge
     when a young woman comes up beside him.

                         GIRL'S VOICE
               Hi Bud ...

     WIDER.

     She is MARGARET ANNE HENDERSON, the prettiest girl in school,
     and one of the most popular. Margaret wears a frilly polka
     dot dress, that only accentuates a bombshell '50s figure.
     Nonetheless, she seems the image of girly innocence.

                         MARGARET
               That was sure swell ...

                         DAVID
               Oh. Thanks, Margaret.

                         MARGARET
                    (smiling)
               I baked you my oatmeal cookies.

                         DAVID
                    (vaguely remembering an episode)
               Oh, no ... You baked those for Whitey.

                         MARGARET
               No. I baked them for you.

                         DAVID
               No. You baked them for Whitey.

                         MARGARET
                    (low and gutteral)
               No. I baked them for you.

     All at once, Margaret grabs his arm and presses herself up
     against him. Her breasts shove up against his chest. Her
     mouth is inches away from his.

                         DAVID
               Um ... thanks.

     David can smell the weird combination of hot moist breath and
     freshly baked cookies. He stares into her eyes for a moment,
     unable to speak. Margaret flashes him a not-so Pleasantville
     smile.

                         MARGARET
               See ya.

     She turns and heads around the comer, while David just
     watches her dumbstruck.

                                                       CUT TO:

     SODA SHOP. DUSK.

     David heads toward work with his apron and little paper hat.
     The BUDDY HOLLY music has given way to "hip" '50s JAZZ. DAVE
     BRUBECK drifts out of the soda shop as David pauses for a
     moment, takes a bite of his oatmeal cookie, and heads inside.

     SODA SHOP.

     The place has "morphed" even more. If it was a teenage
     hangout before, it has become almost a Bohemian coffee house
     now. Brubeck's "TAKE FIVE" plays in the background while
     several patrons talk "intensely" in their booths.

     DOORWAY.

     David walks into the building and pauses. Next to him, one of
     the boys from the basketball team plays along with the jazz
     on a BONGO DRUM. There are several COFFEE cups on the table.
     Jennifer gets up quickly and comes over to him.

                         JENNIFER
                    (in a whisper)
               I had nothing to do with that fire.

                         DAVID
                    (quietly)
               It's okay.

                         JENNIFER
               Not directly anyhow ...

                         DAVID
               It's fine.

     David glances at the booth beside them and realizes that the
     bongos have stopped playing. All the kids are staring up at
     him, with a weird expression of awe.

                         JENNIFER
                    (still under her breath)
               Um ... They like wanna ask you a
               question ... I didn't know how to
               handle it. So ...

                         DAVID
               Sure.

     He crosses to the booth where Biff and two others look up at
     him. It's like Elvis has entered the building.

                         DAVID (CONT)
               How you doin?

                         VARIOUS KIDS
               Swell ...

     They keep on staring. Several glances are exchanged back and
     forth like they're sharing a secret. Finally ...

                         BOY
               How'd you know about the fire?

                         DAVID
               What?

                         BOY
               How'd you know how to put it out and
               all?

     David hesitates, weighing his words.

                         DAVID
               Well--where I used to live ...
               That's just what firemen did.

     This sends a MURMUR through the shop. The boy leans forward.

                         BOY
               And where's that?

                         DAVID
                    (carefully)
               Um ... Outside of Pleasantville.

     This sends a much LOUDER MURMUR rifling through the kids.
     It's like electricity. They glance excited at one another. A
     hush descends.

                         BOY
               What's outside of Pleasantville?

                         DAVID
               Look it doesn't matter. It's not
               important.

                         BOY
               What is it?

     David stops and looks out at the kids who are hanging on
     every word.

                         DAVID
               It's really not important.

                         GIRL'S VOICE (OS)
               What's outside of Pleasantville?

     REVERSE ANGLE. INCLUDING DOORWAY.

     Margaret Henderson (the girl with the cookies) stands in the
     doorway staring at David. She hangs on his words with the
     same excitement as the others, it just means so much more.

                         MARGARET (CONT)
                    (hungry for knowledge)
               C'mon. Tell us ...

     She stares right in his eyes. She's ten feet away but might
     as well be touching him.

                         DAVID
                    (slowly)
               Well ... There are some places where
               the road doesn't go in a circle.
               There are some places where it keeps
               on going.

     There's an excited giggle. They lean forward.

                         MARGARET
                    (an exotic concept)
               Keeps going ...

                         DAVID
               Well--it all just keeps going.
               Roads ... rivers ...

                         2ND BOY
                    (from the back)
               Like the "Mighty Mississippi".