AMERICAN HISTORY X

Derek looks over and analyzes the innocence of his

brother.

DEREK

I can't, Sweeney.

SWEENEY

Try, Derek. Okay?

Derek senses the danger in his voice.

SWEENEY

Okay? Before it explodes.

Sweeney walks away and then turns back to Derek.

SWEENEY

And watch your back.

Derek nods.

SWEENEY

(back to Danny)

You showing up today?

Danny looks at Sweeney and nods his head yes.

SWEENEY

Good.

CUT TO:

EXT. VENICE HIGH - DEREK AND DANNY

They are outside the fence surrounding the field.

Students head off to morning class.

DEREK

Hey. Keep your head up, alright? I'm

going to take care of this.

DANNY

How?

DEREK

I don't know. I'll figure it out

though. You gonna be okay?

DANNY

Yeah.

The two stare at each other as THE BELL RINGS.

DANNY

I gotta turn that paper in.

Danny hops the fence with his backpack on. He looks back

at Derek. Cops #1 and #2 sit in their car in the b.g.

DEREK

Hey.

DANNY

What?

DEREK

Come here.

Derek puts his hand over the fence. Danny walks up and

clasps it -- FINGERS INTERTWINED. Derek wants to say one

thing but something else comes out.

DEREK

I'll see you at home.

Danny smiles at his brother and nods. Danny puts his ear

phones on and heads to class. Derek watches his brother

through the chain-link fence. Danny meets up with Lizzy

and they soon disappear from Derek's sight. Derek turns

and walks down the street.

COP #1

You need a lift anywhere?

DEREK

Nope.

Derek stops in his tracks, walks back over to the fence,

and stares at the school.

INT. MESSY HALLWAY - DANNY AND LIZZY

Students rush past them. Danny kisses Lizzy and she

hurries off to class. He pushes on the men's room door.

INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - SAME

Danny enters, sets his "AMERICAN HISTORY X" PAPER on top

of the sink, and takes an unearthly long piss at the

urinal. He finishes, flushes and turns.

Standing there is LITTLE HENRY. A GUN IN HIS HAND.

DANNY

Jesus Christ. What are you doing,

Henry?

LITTLE HENRY

(afraid)

What does it look like I'm doin'?

DANNY

Come on, man, no. You don't want to

do this. Come on. Henry?

THE DOOR SMACKS OPEN and Danny moves to grab the pistol.

It discharges and a bullet rockets into Danny's chest.

He SLAMS back into the URINAL and gasps for air. The

force of the pistol knocks Henry to the ground. The two

kids who just entered bolt for help.

Danny slides to the tile, leaving a bloody trail. The

two stare at each other - EYE TO EYE. THE BLOODSTAINED

PAPER falls into the DAMP SINK. Danny inhales like glass

is raking his lungs.

LITTLE HENRY

(terrified)

Danny?

Danny's breathing slows to a choked whisper. He blinks,

coughs, twitches. And dies.

LITTLE HENRY

Vinyard? Danny?

Henry watches teary-eyed with the same altered look Derek

had after killing Lawrence. Together they FREEZE on the

cold tile floor.

CUT TO:

INT. HALL AT VENICE HIGH BATHROOM - YELLOW POLICE TAPE

Officers and detectives monitor the area. Young

students, including Lizzy and her friends, stand around

and cry. Rasmussen brings THE BLOODY PAPER over to

Sweeney. Sweeney looks at it for a moment but is

interrupted.

RASMUSSEN