Solving Mr. E - Part One

A screenplay about a disillusioned young man and the unlikely friend who helps him put life in perspective.

EXT. LARGE BACKYARD - DAY

Evan Keating, early-twenties, leans against a shovel and sweats profusely. His breath is labored. His clothes are heavy with perspiration.

Below him, Stan, large and muscular, covered in black tattoos, digs deeper inside a hole. His shovel stabs and throws, stabs and throws and he grunts like an animal. This is a man built for this kind of work, unlike Evan who appears more built for financial analysis.

Another man, Chooch, large, flabby, sun tanned with hard eyes, jogs a wheelbarrow toward the pair. It stops and the new man stares daggers at Evan.

CHOOCH

The fuck are you doing, kid?

Evan startles

EVAN

Sorry!

He immediately begins scooping the dirt thrown by Stan and dumping it into the new empty wheelbarrow.

EVAN

Just needed a second. Thought I might pass out.

Chooch laughs.

CHOOCH

Stan! Kid almost passed out!

STAN

Don't do that kid.

Evan fills the wheelbarrow with dirt and Chooch barely waits for the last shovel-full to drop before he jogs off again. Neither Chooch nor Stan seems to be the least bit tired. The sun is no where near it's noon-time zenith. Evan wipes sweat from his forehead with a filthy forearm, leaving streaks of dirt above his eyes.

Against the foundation of the house is a bountiful garden. There is a gazebo, myriad flowers and sections for vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, etc.

Evan looks longingly at his cooler in the shade of a nearby oak tree. He knows within lies a Poland Springs bottle tucked up lovingly beside two ice packs.

STAN

Wooh! This heat is a bitch!

Stan pants and wipes his own forehead.

STAN

T.O.B., you're up!

Stan jumps from the hole and points for Evan to pop down and start digging.

Evan slowly, painfully climbs into the hole. His hands are already blistered. His back already sore.

EVAN

T.O.B.?

STAN

Tits on a Bull. Fucking useless.

Evan just nods. Chooch busts up laughing while he jogs the wheelbarrow back.

STAN

Now dig!

Evan digs.

EXT. THE SHADE OF AN OAK TREE - DAY

Evan finally, euphorically, takes a drink from his ice cold spring water. He sits with his back against the tree and his eyes close. He isn't asleep, but his body damn sure would like to be.

Stan and Chooch sit on dirty buckets, lunch pails between their feet. Shovels criss-cross, discarded a few feet away. They eat sandwiches with unwashed hands.

CHOOCH

I'm like, seriously bitch? You think I work like a dog all day just to come home to this bullshit?

Stan shakes his head.

STAN

They're all the same.

CHOOCH

You ain't shitting. She's like "Oh you didn't wake me up. You didn't fill my tank last night." This and that. Blah blah blah. I just want to tell her to choke on a sock sometimes, ya know?

STAN

Yeah right? You'd never.

CHOOCH

Of course not! I still have my balls don't I?

Both men laugh. They go on eating.

Chooch kicks Stan's foot and nods toward Evan, who looks asleep. Stan just shakes his head and finishes his sandwich.

He reaches into his cooler and pulls a small pill baggie out. Stan takes one. Chooch takes one as well. Stan looks at Evan for a beat, deciding.

STAN

Hey kid-

He kicks Evan's boot and shakes the baggie.

STAN

Interested?

Evan opens one bone tired, bloodshot eye just enough to see what Stan is referring to. He closes it again.

EVAN

I'm good. Thanks though.

STAN

You sure? Fix a sore back like nothing else.

Evan takes a second to think about it. Then he sits up and holds out his hand. Stan drops in two nondescript pills. Evan takes them, pulls on his water bottle and lays back down.

After another beat, both men stand and move away to grab their shovels.

Stan turns back and finds Evan sleeping. His face appears to get angry, then it softens, and he leaves Evan to his nap and goes back to work.

CHOOCH

Seriously?

STAN

Shut up, Chooch. You were young and useless once too.

INT. INTERIOR OF STAN'S TRUCK - DAY

Evan gets out and shuts the door. He leans on the door and speaks with Stan through the open window. His speech is still a bit slurred from the pills he took earlier.

EVAN

Thanks for the ride, boss.

STAN

Don't mention it.

EVAN

Sorry about lunch.

STAN

Happens to the best of us from time to time. One day I'll tell you about coming in so hungover I threw up all over a client's lilac bush.

They smile and Evan turns to leave.

STAN

Hey, kid, real quick.

EVAN

Yeah?

STAN

(apologetically)

It doesn't ever get any easier.

EVAN

(resigned)

I know.

INT. EVAN'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON

Evan sits on the couch playing video games with headset on. Beside him are two empty beers with a third halfway gone.

Emily walks in with groceries on one arm, a purse on the other, a laptop bag on her back, and having a phone call with her ear buds in.

EMILY

I don't care what she wants. That's her job.

She sees Evan sitting and gaming and her eyes darken. She uses one foot to pull off the shoe of the other foot, and then kicks it at Evan. It misses and he doesn't notice. She does the same with her other shoe and this strikes his shin.

He looks up. She lifts her laden arms and silently mouths, "HELP ME."

Evan sighs and takes the groceries into the kitchen.

EMILY

If she didn't want to work late tonight she should have gotten me those reports today when they were due. I've only been asking her for two weeks.

Emily follows Evan into the kitchen. She drops her book bag on a dining chair. She is about to ask Evan to start the oven when he goes back to his game. She closes her eyes and shakes her head.

EMILY

Then she fucking quits, Davanch. I'm tired of holding her hand. I end up doing her work regardless.

She sits in the chair and opens her laptop.

EMILY

Tell you what, I'll do the damn report right now. If I finish it before she sends it to me, she's fired.

She pulls the ear buds out and puts them carefully back in the case. The apartment is silent, only the thumb strikes of Evan on his controller can be heard.

Emily gets two beers from the fridge and heads into the living area. She puts on in front of Evan and she sits with one for herself and watches him.

Eventually Evan sees her from the corner of his eye. He tries to play more but her presence becomes distracting. With annoyance he puts the controller down and sees the beer Emily has brought him.

EVAN

I just got a fresh one.

EMILY

I'm sure you'll figure out something to do with it. How was your day?

EVAN

Fucking grande. Thrill a minute. Best day of my young life. You?

EMILY

Something wrong?

EVAN

(sighs)

No, sorry. I'm just beat is all.

EMILY

My day sucked. Lorraine just can't fucking figure out how to get anything to me on time. I mean, I swear to god the girl was late to her own fucking birth. It's like - are you even listening to me?

EVAN

Of course.

EMILY

What's the last thing I said?

EVAN

You asked me if I was listening to you?

EMILY

Very funny.

EVAN

Listen, babe, I'm fucking wrecked. I dug holes in ninety degree heat all day. I've sweated more than I've ever drank my life. I just want to sit here and play games and shut my brain off for a few hours. You know?

EMILY

Video games are better than talking with your girlfriend of eight years? We never talk anymore.

EVAN

Em, yes we do, and that's not what I said. Please, I'm so fried. I don't want to fight.

EMILY

Who's fighting? Normal people come home and talk about their days.

EVAN

Normal people can do whatever normal people need to do. I'm just asking to be left alone for a couple hours to decompress.

Evan drains one beer and reaches for another. Emily shakes her head and stalks off into the kitchen.

In the bedroom Evan sees a puzzle still in the box. A book, bookmark stuck in the first act, unopened.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Cold light shines on Emily's face. Conan tells a joke. She looks over to see if Evan thought it was funny and he is snoring. She leans over, her hand reaches under the covers and slowly strokes him.

EVAN

Honey, I am so tired.

Emily rolls back over and stares at the ceiling. She opens her mouth to say something but doesn't. Soon he is snoring again.

Emily finds porn on her phone, reaches under the covers and begins touching herself.

EXT. LUSH BACKYARD - DAY

Evan is dreaming.

Evan stands in the backyard of a lavish mansion. In his hand is a shovel. On his back is the neon yellow shirt of the working class.

The sky above his head is black but has no stars. Fog encroaches on the outside of the expansive lawn, obscuring anything but the yard and the shovel.

Evan digs.

The fog encroaches. Flowers and grass begin to die.

When he finishes, Evan climbs out of the hole. He goes to the quickly browning oak tree for water but his bottle is empty. When he turns back to the hole, it has filled in again. The fog has once more retreated. The flower and the grass and the tree green once more.

Evan is confused. He is angry and depressed. He digs.

EXT. EVAN'S CAR - DAY

Evan drives.

RADIO MAN 1

I just don't understand.

RADIO MAN 2

What's to understand? It's a protest.

RADIO MAN 1

You aren't interested in what they are protesting?

RADIO MAN 2

Not at all. It's like putting pictures of mass shooters on the TV. It gives them the fame they wanted. It encourages copy cats. Don't tell anyone what the letter says and burn the paper. You know?

RADIO MAN 1

It's just such a damn shame. I mean, the David. We lost the David.

RADIO MAN 2

When was the last time you went to Florence?

RADIO MAN 1

Never been.

RADIO MAN 2

What do you care then? The pictures on the Internet are still there. Good as they've ever been.

RADIO MAN 1

It's not the same. A man carved a masterpiece. A man was made immortal. And now-

RADIO MAN 2

And now what? Michaelangelo died all over again? We forget who he was because a statue got defaced?

RADIO MAN 1

Yes. No. I don't know. I just don't understand.

Evan turns the radio down. He parks his car and walks up to his parents front door. He tries the knob and it is locked. He is surprised. He tries it again to be sure. Then he knocks. His father opens and waves him in. His eyes are red and his mouth a hard frown.

The dog greets him as happy as ever, tail wagging and tongue lolling.

DAD

Ev, come in. No Emily?

EVAN

She has work to do. Since when do we lock the door?

Dad doesn't answer as Evan takes the steps slowly. Something is very off.

His mother is sitting in a dining chair. She is wearing grey sweats and bright green trainers. She holds a piece of paper and coughs into her fist. When she coughs, Dad winces.

EVAN

Hey, Ma. What the hell is going on?

She hands him the paper. On it, her terminal lung cancer diagnosis.

Evan sits on the couch. His eyes don't leave the paper, can't.

EVAN

I thought you beat it. They said - they said you beat it.

MOM

Yeah. I guess not.

She holds back tears. His father is less successful. He growls and storms through the kitchen to the glass slider. Outside on the deck, he fires up and smokes a cigarette. When that one is out, he lights another.

EVAN

Ma -

His mother begins to break down. Evan begins to break down. The dog sits between them with its ears back, looking back and forth, unable to help.

EVAN

Ma - ma...

They hold one another and sob. On the deck Dad smokes and tries like hell to hold himself together.

EXT. PARENTS DECK - DAY

Mom sleeps on the couch. Evan tucks her into an afghan before he goes to stand on the deck with his father.

EVAN

Someone wrecked the David.

DAD

I heard.

EVAN

That's terrible.

DAD

Yeah?

EVAN

Yeah. I don't see how it helps the environment either. I mean, we know the environment needs help. I don't think people are energized to do something now that the David is gone. You know?

DAD

(shrugs and smokes)

I don't know. It's not something I can care about right now.

EVAN

Ricky know?

Dad shakes his head.

DAD

He's on the west coast somewhere.

EVAN

Filming himself lifting weights or something?

DAD

He says he'll be back tomorrow. Then I get to take this whole ride a third time.

He smiles weakly.

EVAN

Is she going to keep working?

DAD

You know her.

EVAN

Are they going to let her?

DAD

(scoffs)

Yeah, like I've ever had a say over what that one does and doesn't do.

They stand against the railing of the failing deck. Water damage and sunlight have rendered it almost unusable. Dad's hands squeeze and release the banister, squeeze and release. He smokes another cigarette.

EVAN

You're going to smoke Marlboro out of Lights you keep it up.

DAD

I should have refinished this deck.

EVAN

It's fine.

DAD

It's not fine. She should have had a new deck.

He pauses and smokes. His hands squeeze the banister. He blinks rapidly.

DAD

Now what am I going to do?

EVAN

What do you mean?

But he knows what his father means. Dad continues staring out into the unforgiving stretch before him. Bees busy themselves collecting pollen from the flowers Mom always puts on the porch railing. The railing is somewhat rotted, the paint peeling. The flowers are fresh and vibrant and beautiful. The bees are hard at work.

DAD

Don't get me wrong. My head, and of course my heart, is with her. She is the one in pain, not me. She's the one getting shot and filled with poison and shot again. She's the one slowly and painfully f-fading.

Dad begins to break but drags himself back.

DAD

But what the fuck am I gunna do? You know? What the fuck do I do? Go to bed? Wake up? I just- what the fuck do I do?

Evan doesn't know what to say. He reaches for a cigarette and lights one for himself. He's not used to smoking cigarettes, and coughs. His father offers him a single glance, and they both lean on the precarious railing and smoke.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Evan drives through all encompassing fog. He can barely find his way home, having to use his GPS. He passes by a windmill, unmoving in the still air.

Evan walks into his apartment and finds three cardboard boxes on the couch. He pauses in the doorway with his hand on the knob for a long time.

The lights are off. Uncared for flowers wilt in the windowsills. Candles illuminate the space. He sees a picture of them smiling beneath one. A wind blows and the candle goes out.

Emily sits at the kitchen table in the dark, pushing around an unopened book.

EMILY

I thought you would have more stuff. Turns out I bought almost everything.

Evan walks to the boxes and checks what is inside. His clothes. His electronics. Some assorted tools and pens and random crap. He turns to look at Emily. His eyes are full of hurt and confusion, and also resignation, and certainty, and fate unavoided. Emily can't meet his eye.

EVAN

Yeah?

EMILY

I'm unhappy, Evan. I'm really, really unhappy.

EVAN

You could have told me.

EMILY

Could I?

EVAN

Of course you could have.

EMILY

You would, what, make me feel better?

EVAN

I would have tried, Em?

EMILY

You haven't tried for a while now. Evan, you are the most unhappy person I know. Being around you is like drowning. You don't want to talk to me. You don't want to do anything. You stopped trying. We stopped having sex. You stopped living! I've just been sinking and sinking and I can't fucking breath!

Evan reminds himself to close his mouth. Emily begins to cry. He sits on the couch next to his boxes and shakes his head.

EVAN

I'm sorry. I had no idea.

He spreads his arms in apology. Emily is not convinced.

EMILY

Evan, you chose not to go back to school. You chose to work for Wally's dad and dig holes.

EVAN

I am aware.

EMILY

Are you? Because you walk around here like the world has eaten you up and spit you out. You made choices, Ev.

EVAN

And now you made choices.

EMILY

Yeah. Yeah, I guess I did.

Evan stands.

EVAN

Sorry I couldn't be a lawyer like your mom wanted me to be.

EMILY

That's not what this is about!

Evan nods ironically.

EVAN

Sure, sure. I hope you find a business suited, hair slicking mover and shaker, Em. I really do. I'm sorry it couldn't be me. I'm sorry I didn't turn into who you wanted me to.

EMILY

I just wanted you to turn into someone you didn't hate.

Evan takes this in. It is nothing he is prepared to hear. He prepares a final blow. He picks up a box and goes to leave, stopping at the front door.

EVAN

My mother is dying. Cancer came back. She always loved you, Em. I'm sure she would appreciate it if you called her before she's gone.

He leaves. He hangs his head on the front porch, feeling the low blow. Emily is too shocked for tears. One by one, Evan grabs the rest of his boxes and loads them up.

During his last trip, Emily tries to grab his hand and he pulls it away from her angrily. She does cry then.

Another wind blows and the rest of the candles go out.

Evan drives into the fog while Emily weeps on the hardwood in darkness.

He parks the car in an abandoned lot, gets out and screams into the void. His voice echoes and echoes, until eventually, all is silent once more. Evan gets back in and drives deeper in the fog.

INT/EXT. EVAN'S CAR INTERIOR - NIGHT

Evan drives through the fog. He goes to a liquor store and buy a bottle of bourbon. He tugs it as he drives. He passes a windmill with still blades. He finds himself at the job-site he was at earlier and parks in his usual spot.

Yokels on the radio debate sports but he isn't listening. Tears stream down his expressionless cheeks. He stares ahead at nothing. He raises the bottle to his lips and drinks. Then he leans his chair back and drinks some more. His phone buzzes off the seat and becomes lost under it.

Eventually, he falls asleep.

He dreams once more about digging holes endlessly. This time, the fog rolls in harder, faster, and he cant find his way back to the tree.

A loud knock on the window wakes him. Stan stands outside his car looking in. Evan rolls it down. It is raining.

STAN

You didn't sleep here last night did you?

Evan rubs the sleep from his eyes and fights back vomit. Stan sees the bourbon bottle and exhales heavily.

EVAN

Give me two minutes.

Stan walks away shaking his head. He walks to his truck and pulls out the shovels, picks, and the adze. Evan rolls out of the car and vomits noisily. He wipes his mouth and stumbles over to Stan.

STAN

Dude, you gotta go.

EVAN

I'm fine. Where are we starting today.

STAN

Look, Chooch ain't coming in so I need a set of hands. I am willing to use your clearly compromised ones if you're sure you aren't going to die.

EVAN

I'm sure, boss.

Stan shakes his head and points to a wooden stake in the ground.

STAN

Suit yourself, kid. Start here. Give me three by three and I'll tag in.

Evan grabs a shovel and starts digging. At one point, he stumbles over to the bushes and vomits noisily again.

STAN

What the fuck, kid!

Evan stumbles back to his hole and digs. It doesn't take long for his jabs and throws to become slower and weaker.

Eventually he passes out and collapses, cutting his forehead on the blade of the shovel as he falls and nearly drowning in a puddle.

Stan shakes his head. He stomps over and grabs Evan under the arms. Stan drags him under the oak tree and pours cold water on his face to wake him up. Evan blinks open his eyes slowly.

STAN

Hospital or home. Take your pick.

EVAN

What- what happened.

STAN

You passed out. You're under the table so I'll let you pick, hospital or home. You just can't stay here.

EVAN

Home.

Stan nods.

STAN

I'll go start the truck. Have a drink before you try and stand up.

EXT/INT. STANS TRUCK INTERIOR - DAY

Evan wants to say something to Stan but can't seem to find the words. Eventually, he realizes that Stan is going the wrong way.

EVAN

Take a left here.

STAN

I been to Stevens Street a million times, kid. It's this way.

EVAN

Not Stevens Street. Wilson Street.

STAN

Wilson street? That your old man's house.

EVAN

Yeah.

Stan nods. They arrive. Before Evan gets out Stan holds a hand out to get his attention.

STAN

Wait, kid. Just give me a couple minutes.

Stan rolls his sleeve up and shows Evan an elaborate black tattoo on his right shoulder.

STAN

Know where I got this?

Evan shakes his head.

STAN

Prison.

EVAN

Really?

STAN

Oh yeah. Big time. I wasn't what you would call a good kid. Not like you. You're a good kid, Evan.

EVAN

Yeah?

STAN

Absolutely. I've heard you talk to people, to your girl. I've seen you work as hard as you can and take all the shit Chooch and I dish and you just keep on trucking. That's a good kid for sure.

EVAN

I don't have a girl anymore.

Stan nods sagely.

STAN

That explains the drinking. But listen, there is a reason I bring this up. I grew up in the shit. Abusive parents. Drugs everywhere. Dad went to jail. Mother went to jail. I was basically predestined to find myself behind bars at some point. Somewhere along the line, I decided that this wasn't the life I wanted. I got out, I started my own company doing the only things I knew how. I mowed lawns and dug holes. It ain't glamorous work, but it pays the bills.

EVAN

Yes sir, it does.

STAN

Point is, every man gets to that point. They break down and can either build themselves back up, or stay broke.

EVAN

You saying I'm getting broke down?

STAN

I'm saying nothing against you, but don't bother coming back tomorrow.

EVAN

Come on Stan. It won't happen again -

STAN

I know, kid. I know. You're just not cut out for this kind of work. I can't have the problems and the delays. I'm sorry.

Evan gets out. He trips over his own untied shoelaces. Stan shouts as he drives away.

STAN

Look at it as a positive, kid. It's time to see what you are really made of. Go do something you're really good at now. Leave the ditch diggin' to fuck ups like me.

Stan drives away waving. Evan waves and goes inside.

INT. MOM AND DADS PLACE - DAY

Evan and Mom play gin at the table. Dad is outside chopping into a stump Mom has wanted gone for a while.

Rick, Evan's older brother, talks in the living room to his producer/cameraman.

RICK

Yeah, like, I don't know man. I hear you, but I just don't know. I don't want to be, like, exploitative.

Mom rolls her eyes. Evan smiles.

PRODUCER/JT

Ricky, buddy, we're helping, we're not hurting. Millions of people out there with relatives dying of cancer. It would do them good to see you go through that too.

MOM

I'm close but I'm not dead just yet.

She sticks her tongue out and Evan laughs.

RICK

Evan thinks it's funny for me to show the Internet something real. He's way too cool for my channel. He watches Kubrick movies and reads Camus. If Evan thinks it's a bad idea then it's a bad idea.

EVAN

I didn't say anything.

RICK

You laughed. I saw. Listen I get it, to someone big and successful like you, a little Youtube channel with millions of followers probably seems dumb by comparison. We can't all be ditch diggers.

EVAN

I'd rather dig ditches than film myself jerking off.

MOM

Boys, that'll do it.

RICK

How many holes you dig yesterday? Were they nice big holes?

MOM

Ricky, enough!

Evan drops his cards and goes outside to chop the stump with his father. They do so silently, gravely. Rick and his producer look victorious.

RICK

Sorry, Ma.

MOM

How do you and Ricky plan on helping, JT?

JT

We're bringing awareness, Mrs. K. We get a lot of eyeballs on our videos.

MOM

Bringing awareness to what? Cancer? Aren't people already aware of cancer?

JT

Our viewers love Ricky, Mrs. K. They care about his story. Seeing him go through something like this shows them that they can too.

MOM

So you're not so much bringing people awareness of my cancer as you are bringing my cancer to peoples awareness. That about right?

JT

Exactly!

Ricky shakes his head.

Mom looks at Evan's cards. She looks at the next card in the deck.

MOM

Gin!

She inhales and drops her completed hand on the table for Evan to find later. She has a coughing fit and nearly faints. She slips from the seat. Rick catches her.

JT scrambles to tape the whole thing.

RICK

Can you not do that right now?

JT continues filming. He crouches low to get a better angle.

INT. MOM AND DADS PLACE - NIGHT

Evan and Dad drink beers and watch the bruins. The bruins are winning, but neither of them celebrates the goals or appear to be enjoying the game. A numbness encompasses both men. Mom calls from her bedroom.

MOM

Ev.

Evan gets up and goes down the hall. The dog follows Evan with wagging tail and lolling tongue. To Evan, it feels like a portal into a place fraught with danger, the pictures of smiling faces on the wall are knives cutting into Evan's heart every time he walks by them.

EVAN

Hey, Ma.

MOM

Sit.

She pats the foot of the bed. Before he sits, Evan gets another pillow and props her up more comfortably. She smiles with appreciation.

MOM

Emily called.

Evan watches his mother.

MOM

You could have told me.

EVAN

Yeah.

MOM

I'm not dead yet, for Christ sake. I can take bad news while theres still bad news to take.

EVAN

I know, Ma.

MOM

She sounded really broken up about it. I think there's still a chance there if you want to take it.

EVAN

Jesus, Ma! What are you a couples therapist now?

She smiles.

MOM

Not even a little. But I'm just saying...

EVAN

That's not why you called me in here.

MOM

Do you remember Coach Dellahunt?

EVAN

Of course I do.

MOM

Do you remember how stressed out he looked before games and practices. Carting around bags of balls and going over notes.

EVAN

I do.

MOM

One day I asked him if I could help him out at all and he said no. I said I could take the balls and I could be the one to email or call parents and be a sort of manager and take that off his plate. He asked if it was because he looked stressed out and I said of course it was. Then he said he's like that all day, everyday, regardless of what he is doing. He said there is one thing he does where the stress melts away. Just one.

EVAN

What was it.

MOM

Coaching.

EVAN

I don't understand.

MOM

There's a position open at the Patterson. I think you should apply.

EVAN

Ma, I already have a -

Evan stops speaking when he sees the face his mother makes when she knows a lie is inbound.

MOM

You wanna try that one again, slick?

EVAN

No.

MOM

It's for a teacher's aide. It's easy. It's fun. There's essentially no responsibility. You show up on time, make sure the kids are learning and being nice and having fun, then go home. Couldn't be easier.

EVAN

I've never really been a kid person.

MOM

Yeah, well, you're becoming not really a person person either. Go to the interview. For me.

EVAN

Okay Ma.

EXT. SIDEWALK OF PATTERSON ELEMENTARY - DAY

Evan is uncomfortable in his collard shirt and tie. He catches his reflection in the glass front doors and doesn't like what he sees. Children have recess in the playground nearby and he can hear the jubilant screaming and the whistles blowing from teachers and aides trying unsuccessfully to wrangle dozens of kids at once.

Beneath the windows and on either side of the front doors, lives a beautiful garden. Flowers in various stages of growth and bloom, wilting and death, haphazard vegetables and roots and weeds all intermingling and competing and living. Clearly the product of student hands.

He pushes an intercom button.

DEBBIE

Yeah?

EVAN

Evan Keating. Here for the teacher's aide interview?

No answer. The door buzzes and Evan slides inside. The school is clean, busy. Kids in single file lead by serious looking pretty young women march toward and away from the cafeteria. Basketballs pound the parquet in the nearby gymnasium.

A small women steps out of the offices and sticks her hand out for Evan to shake.

DEBBIE

Debbie Walsh, I'm the secretary receptionist.

She leads Evan to a small conference room in the back of the library.

On the way, Evan watches two aides restrain a hysterical autistic boy. He is screaming and scratching and trying to bite. Their faces are composed as they get his arms wrapped up and carry him out of the room. Evan is stunned but the other kids in the class appear nonplussed.

DEBBIE

Please have a seat, Mr. Keating.

Evan sits. Debbie leaves. After a few awkward and anxious minutes, one of the women performing the restraint Evan witnessed earlier comes in and sits opposite.

ALICE

Evan Keating, Hello. My name is Alice Hampton. The kids call me Mrs. H.

EVAN

Great to meet you.

He stands to shake her hand.

Evan uses his best interview voice. He isn't sure he wants the job, but he is too well brought up to give anything but his best during an interview.

ALICE

So, let's dive right in. Why do you want to work with autistic kids?

EVAN

Actually I'm here for the teacher's aide opening.

ALICE

Right. Teacher's aide in Special Ed Room 213.

She opens her purse and pulls out a file. From the file she extracts a hard copy of the job advertisement and reads it verbatim.

ALICE

Assisting Ms. Duggan, working one on one and in groups, handling certain lesson plans, marking progress, ensuring the safety of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ages seven to ten. That's the only opening I am aware of.

EVAN

Umm. Uh. Well.

Alice gives him a short moment to collect himself and have a better answer than umm. She's seen this song and dance before, however, and has no patience for it.

ALICE

Understood. No problem.

She stands to leave.

ALICE

It was good to meet you Ethan. I'll walk you out.

EVAN

Evan.

ALICE

Okay.

Alice places her hand on the knob.

EVAN

Alice, wait. Please.

ALICE

Evan, working with autistic kids is one the hardest, most demanding, most time consuming and tiring jobs I have ever had. It is also the most rewarding by half. If you aren't ready for it, I don't blame you. But I have a class full of great kids, who need me, to get back to.

EVAN

I just didn't read the opening all the way through. My mother told me to apply and I did and I guess I didn't know exactly what I was applying for. But I want to be interviewed. Please. I don't have a job Ms. Hampton. I think we just got off on the wrong foot. Let me at least interview.

Alice smiles. She sits back down and indicates Evan should sit as well. She enjoys a tense beat before she slaps the table top.

ALICE

No need, Mr. Keating. You're hired.

EVAN

Say what now?

Alice shrugs, still beaming. It is half ecstatic at finally having much needed help, and half ironic, knowing the shock Evan is in for in the coming days.

ALICE

You were the only applicant.

INT. PATTERSON SCHOOL - DAY

Alice leads Evan back to the office.

EVAN

Don't you need like background checks and CORI forms and all that?

ALICE

We do. We're going back to the office now to fill all that out.

EVAN

What if I fail?

ALICE

Are you going to fail?

EVAN

Well, no.

ALICE

Would you like to be Mr. E or Mr. Keating or Mr. K or something else?

EVAN

Umm, I guess-

ALICE

Listen, Evan, we need an aide. Even better, for a kid like Tommy to have a male aide is invaluable.

Evan blinks slowly and shrugs.

EVAN

Mr. E, I guess.

Alice leaves Evan in the office to fill out paperwork. Debbie stares him down while he does.

DEBBIE

How's your mum?

Evan lies to avoid talking about this sensitive subject.

EVAN

She's great.

Debbie nods.

DEBBIE

Tell her we're all rooting for her.

EVAN

How do you know my mother?

DEBBIE

A few of us came from the Cranston School.

EVAN

Gotcha. I'll tell her.

Evan finishes the paperwork and hands it to Debbie.

Alice comes back in the office with a little boy, the same little boy who Evan watched get restrained earlier. He has black hair and thick coke bottle glasses. His finger nails are long and stained with orange cheese dust. He wears a star wars shirt and cargo shorts that are too big for him. His black sneakers are sloppily tied.

ALICE

Tommy, this is Mr. E.

Tommy looks up at Evan. His eyes alternate between squinting and widening. His fingers fidget and flit. He laughs.

TOMMY

Hello Mr. E. Haha, like mystery. Hello mystery.

Tommy dances from foot to foot as though he needs to pee. His eyes glance at everything in the room but the people.

ALICE

Tommy, what would you think about Mr. E working with you tomorrow?

TOMMY

Hmmm, no. No thank you. I don't think that would be good.

He pauses and sniffs and makes a face.

TOMMY

Can we leave this room it smells like farts in here.

ALICE

(smiling but exasperated)

It does not, Tommy.

TOMMY

Yes, yes it does. It smells like farts. I am definitely smelling fart smells.

Alice rolls her eyes and smiles as Tommy attempts to drag her back into the hallway.

ALICE

We get them off the bus at 8. You're going to do great.

TOMMY

No, no I don't think he will. He will not do great.

Further down the hall, Tommy's voice is a thin echo.

TOMMY

Did you fart Ms. Alice?

ALICE

Of course not!

EXT. PATTERSON SCHOOL SIDEWALK - MORNING

The day is crisp and clear. It is still warm for October. Evan waits in his car until the busses arrive and he sees Alice walking out of the building, along with a dozen or so other women.

Most of the women form a sort of human tunnel leading from the bus doors to the front doors of the school. Kids pour out of them and rush inside despite calls for them to slow down.

Alice and a few others stride purposefully toward several white vans farther down the sidewalk. Evan meets her at one of these.

ALICE

Morning, Mr. E.

EVAN

Morning Ms. H. Is this where I should be going?

ALICE

Going forward you can come right in anytime after 7, put your stuff down and all that. Today this is great.

Alice slides the heavy van door and inside Tommy is strapped into the first row of seating. He sits in a modified car seat like contraption.

ALICE

Tommy, look who came back to hang out with us today!

TOMMY

Mystery, haha. Mystery. Hello Mystery. You are not going to do great.

ALICE

Oh stop it Tommy. He is definitely going to do great.

She begins the complicated process of unsnapping him and getting him out of the van. Tommy's hands and fingers appear to be lesser functioning than other kids his age. Alice even helps his knees and feet find their correct places on the floor of the van and then again on the sidewalk.

TOMMY

Nope. He will not do great. I am telling you. I know it. He will not do great.

ALICE

Tommy, I need to go get Mandy off her bus. Here, take Mr. E's hand and he will bring you into class.

Tommy doesn't look up as Alice disengages his hand, with which he immediately begins picking his nose, and heads off toward the other bus. He is engrossed in a small rubber dinosaur toy. Alice gives Evan instructions while walking toward the other bus.

ALICE

It's easy, inside there's a big staircase. Second floor. Take a right. We're the first classroom past the bathrooms.

EVAN

Easy enough.

Tommy doesn't look up from the dinosaur toy while he sticks his hand into the air for Evan to hold. Evan makes a face at the long dirty fingernails and the memory of Tommy picking his nose with that hand, but he takes it and they begin walking.

EVAN

How was your night Tommy?

Tommy ignores him and continues to squeeze and fidget with his rubber toy. Evan brings him inside. He gets surprised looks from the other teachers and just nods to them respectfully.

INT. PATTERSON SCHOOL LOBBY/STAIRCASE - DAY

On the stairs, a running fifth grader bumps into Evan who bumps into Tommy. Tommy screams and drops onto the stairs.

TOMMY

Ahhhhh! You're killing me! You're killing me! Please, please don't hurt me! Please stop hurting me!

Tommy rolls back and forth in agony. A woman walks out of the office and stands in the doorway with her arms crossed, watching Evan. Evan is shell shocked. He has no idea what to do. He looks around for help.

Alice finally comes in holding Mandy's hand.

ALICE

Tommy Retter, stand up right this minute!

She does not yell but she is stern.

TOMMY

I can't! AAAhhhhh! I'm dying!

ALICE

Tommy you are not dying. I will give you another chance to make a good choice before we take your morning computer away.

TOMMY

Please don't! Aaaahhhhh! I'm dying! I'm really dying!

ALICE

Last chance, pal.

Tommy sits up and looks around. With difficulty, he stands and grabs Evan's hand. There are tears in his eyes but his face is once more composed.

ALICE

Good choice, Tommy. I think we can put a sticker in the book for that turnaround.

Alice walks Mandy up the stairs and smiles at Evan.

ALICE

See, no big deal.

Evan's eyes say different. The arm crossing woman shakes her head and goes back into the office. Debbie smiles at Evan from behind her desk and gives him a big thumbs up.

Evan and Tommy follow Alice and Mandy into the classroom.

INT. TOMMY'S CLASSROOM - DAY

Tommy immediately drops Evan's hand and quickly shrugs out of his backpack and jacket and leaves them laying on the floor. A pretty young woman sitting behind her desk gets up. It is Ms. Duggan, the teacher of the class.

DUGGAN

Excuse me, Mr. Is that where we leave our things?

Tommy doesn't appear to have heard. He limp jogs over to the computer section and fires up a tablet.

DUGGAN

No thank you, sir.

Alice takes the tablet out of Tommy's hands.

DUGGAN

Please put your things where they go before you have your morning computer time.

TOMMY

Aaaahhhh!! Fine!

Tommy gets up, stomps to his things, throws them at a hook and cubby labeled with his name, stomps back over Duggan and holds his hands out expectantly. Duggan sighs and hands him back the tablet and once more he sits and is totally, completely engrossed.

EVAN

So what the hell was all that on the stairs?

Duggan smiles and shrugs

DUGGAN

Who knows. Tommy is actually a fairly high functioning ASD case. It's the suspected schizophrenia and psychosis that sends him into fits like that.

EVAN

Jesus Christ. Are you sure I should be working with him?

Duggan laughs.

DUGGAN

Oh yeah. More and more by the second.

INT. TEACHERS LOUNGE - DAY

The Teachers Lounge at the Patterson School doubles as a sort of shared office space. This is where the schools only copier lives. It is also home to the large paper cutter and laminating machine. Women are always filing in and out and using the various equipment and leaving again.

The room itself is sparse, bare even. Evan takes this to indicate that all the creative energy goes to the students.

Evan sits in the corner and eats a turkey and cheese and a soda. He looks up as the crossing arms woman from earlier sits across from him. It is Principle Sheen.

PRINCIPLE

So, Mr. Keating, how goes the first half of your first day?

EVAN

It goes.

PRINCIPLE

Not what you expected?

EVAN

You can say that again.

PRINCIPLE

Not what you expected?

They share a small awkward laugh.

PRINCIPLE

Just do whatever Duggan tells you to do. That woman has two autistic kids at home too. She has more experience than anyone else in the school and more patience than everyone combined.

EVAN

Wow. I had no idea.

PRINCIPLE

I didn't expect you did. She not one for pity. Keeps home at home and work at work.

EVAN

I'll keep that in mind.

PRINCIPLE

It is such a shame about your mother. She and I were teachers at the Cranston together. Never met a more compassionate educator.

EVAN

Yeah.

PRINCIPLE

Do you think you got that gene? The educator gene?

EVAN

I'm not sure. I've never really thought about it before.

PRINCIPLE

Well, here you are, employed at a school. What do you think?

EVAN

I don't know. That's my honest answer. I don't know.

PRINCIPLE

I saw what happened on the stairs today. No, no, I don't mean it to say you did anything wrong. Tommy is a handful on his best days. He is prone to that kind of thing. That's kind of why I wanted to talk to you. Tommy may be doing that a lot. That and more and worse. He is liable to punch, kick, bite, spit and whatever else.

EVAN

Okay.

PRINCIPLE

Here's the worst case scenario. For some reason, Tommy attaches to you. He's never had a male aide so I think that maybe there's a chance you can reach him to some degree. Then you find out you don't have that gene after all. You quit. Move on. What then? Tommy is left back where he started, any progress you made with him is erased.

EVAN

I don't know what to say.

PRINCIPLE

Nothing. Nothing at all. I just wanted to give you a clear picture of the stakes is all. And a request. Please, for your mother, find out if you have the gene or not as fast as you can. Because if you take too long, Tommy is the one who will pay for it. Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Keating.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Evan watches the last bus drive away from the windows of 213. Alice and another woman, sixties, sweet and small Mrs. Barker, clean up and put chairs on top of desks. Evan helps. Ms. Duggan types on her computer.

She stands.

DUGGAN

Great job today, guys. Why do you take off.

ALICE

You sure?

DUGGAN

Yeah, definitely. See you tomorrow. Evan would you mind staying with me for a couple?

EVAN

Of course, not.

DUGGAN

You coming back tomorrow.

Evan laughs.

EVAN

Of course I am.

DUGGAN

Good.

Alice and Barker leave. Alice gives Evan a thumbs up on her way out. Ms. Duggan hands Evan a small blue notebook.

DUGGAN

This is Tommy's journal from last month. He goes home and writes about his night and brings it back the next day.

EVAN

Yeah, I saw it for this month.

DUGGAN

Good. I think it would be good if you would read last few months.

EVAN

Yeah, sure. If you think it would be a good idea.

Duggan shows him another book, larger black spiral notebook. Lots of tabs, stickers, etc.

DUGGAN

This stays here. It's where we chart Tommy's behaviors. Right now we're working on classroom interruptions, staying on task and violence. He does good, he gets stickers. If he completes a row of stickers he gets a big prize from the prize chest.

EVAN

Oh awesome. I saw Alice working with it today but I wasn't fully exposed to it. Is this what you want me to start doing tomorrow with Tommy?

DUGGAN

Yes. You think you're up for it? We'll all be here if you run into trouble, but there's not much point in delaying the one on one if you want it.

EVAN

Yeah, let's do it.

DUGGAN

There's no shame is calling the game on account of rain.

EVAN

I know.

DUGGAN

And I'd rather it called sooner than later.

EVAN

We're playing.

DUGGAN

Good.

EXT. RECESS/PLAYGROUND - DAY

Evan leads Tommy outside by the hand. Tommy pulls him extra hard to get outside.

EVAN

You can pull me as hard as you want but I'm not running in the halls.

TOMMY

But I'm running out of time!

EVAN

I told you already, you can have the five minutes you lost at PT back at the end of recess. When the other kids go back inside you can have five extra minutes.

TOMMY

Just hurry!

They get outside and the scene is bedlam. Kids running and screaming everywhere. Jackets unzipped and shoes unlaced and snot running down noses and red cheeks and very little organization. There are two teachers talking instead of keeping an eye on the proceedings and another aide on her phone instead of working with a little girl who has PICA and is trying unsuccessfully to eat her pink Power Ranger folder.

Tommy immediately goes into a little hop run toward his favorite game. A cut down pool noodle attached to a paper towel roll, Tommy swings it back and forth at the branches poking through the chain link and pretends to slice them clean like he wields a true light saber.

Evan leaves Tommy to his fun and goes back to the aide.

EVAN

Hey, I hate to interrupt but should she be eating that?

The aide looks at Evan like he just spit in her cornflakes.

AIDE

Suzy, cut it out. Here.

The aide takes a silicone toy of her mouth and gives it to the little girl who begins biting it. She spares one last withering look for Evan and goes back to her phone.

A child screams and Evan knows it is Tommy.

AIDE

Shouldn't you be over there?

Evan ignores her and runs back to Tommy. He rolls on the ground and holds his head.

TOMMY

Aaaahhh! I'm dying!

A little boy stands beside Tommy and tries to pat him on the back.

BOY

Sorry! Sorry Tommy!

EVAN

What happened?

BOY

We were playing kickball and I accidentally got Tommy in the face.

EVAN

Gotcha. You can go play.

BOY

Sorry Tommy.

The boy runs off. Evan crouches beside Tommy.

EVAN

Let me see.

Tommy rolls over and shows Evan his face. There is no damage.

EVAN

I think you're alright, buddy.

TOMMY

No I am not! I'm dying! I'm disfigured and hideous!

EVAN

Nice vocab! But you really are fine. Come on, let's stand up and have some more fun.

TOMMY

I can't! AAAhhhhhhh!

EVAN

Sure you can. We still have a few minutes left.

TOMMY

I thought I had a long time. Don't I have an extra long time.

EVAN

Not if you keep rolling around like this causing a scene.

The second Evan says this, he wants to take it back. He watches as Tommy builds up to a full blown meltdown. Tommy screams.

TOMMY

YOU LIAR! YOU LIED TO ME! YOU ARE A LIAR! FUCK YOU! YOU'RE A FUCKING LIAR! YOU ARE GOING TO BE PUNISHED!

EVAN

Woah woah buddy. Let's take a quick step back. I didn't lie to you.

TOMMY

YES YOU DID! LIAR! YOU LIE ABOUT LYING! YOU ARE THE WORST KIND OF LIAR! YOU SAID EXTRA RECESS AND THEN YOU SAID NO EXTRA RECESS! DIE LIAR! DIE LIAR! DIE LIAR!

Tommy begins punching Evan who does his best to ward Tommy off without hurting him. Evan uses the walkie talkie attached to his hip. The teachers blow the whistle and gather the rest of the students to go back inside.

EVAN

Alice would you mind coming down to the playground. I'm having something of a situation here with our friend.

ALICE

Be right there.

While Evan makes the call, Tommy bites his arm hard enough to make tooth marks.

EVAN

AH! Jeez Tommy!

TOMMY

I TOLD YOU I WOULD HURT YOU! I TOLD YOU I WOULD PUNISH YOU! LIARS GET HURT! LIARS GET PUNISHED! THERE IS MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM YOU LITTLE FUCKING BITCH! WANT ME TO GET THE FUCKING BELT!

Alice comes running. She takes Tommy by the arms, pulling them behind his back in a classic restraint. He tries to bite and head-butt and kick her but she has done this before and comes away unscathed.

ALICE

Calm down, buddy. It's okay Tommy. Calm down.

TOMMY

NO! FUCK YOU! MR. E IS A FUCKING SHIT BOY LIAR FUCK!

ALICE

There's no need to talk like that. Can you calm down? I'm only going to ask you once before you go into the quiet room.

TOMMY

NEVER! I WILL NEVER CALM DOWN!

ALICE

Okay, Tommy. Remember I gave you a choice.

The strange trio marches up the stairs and into the classroom. Duggan gives them a knowing look. The room in question is a padded closet with wrestling mats on the floor. It is designed for the students to go inside and be as violent as they wish without harming anyone, including themselves.

Tommy screams for the rest of the day. He throws himself at the door and punches the walls.

When Alice and Duggan go in to bring him to his bus, they find he has bit himself hard enough to draw blood. Evan is mortified.

When the other aides leave for the day, Evan hangs back.

EVAN

Mrs. Duggan, I'm really really sorry. I had no idea he could go off the rails like that.

DUGGAN

Yeah. That's the job. One minute they're the sweetest kids you could ever meet. The next they are violent little monsters. You just have to ride it out.

EVAN

I feel like that was my fault.

DUGGAN

It was and it wasn't.

Evan is crestfallen.

EVAN

What do you mean?

DUGGAN

I mean another aide probably could have avoided that. But then again, maybe not. This isn't his first meltdown. Not by a long-shot.

EVAN

Should I work with someone else?

DUGGAN

Absolutely not. You and Tommy are building a report. He's testing you and you're testing him. Trust me, this is all part of it.

EVAN

He said he was going to get his belt. He was I was going to be punished.

DUGGAN

He's scripting what his father says to him.

EVAN

Jesus. It's that bad? And DSS can't do anything at all?

DUGGAN

Even if they could, you can't control any of that. All you can control is yourself. Know what I mean?

EVAN

I feel like I had the boulder a good ways up the hill, you know? Now it's at the bottom again.

DUGGAN

Yupp. That's kind of how all of life works. You roll the boulder up. It falls back down again. You get a choice. Roll it again, or quit. Most of us choose to roll it again. The really good ones roll it again and again and they never complain. They smile while they do.

EVAN

Even though it sucks?

DUGGAN

Hell, because it sucks.

INT. MOM AND DADS HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Evan steps through the front door. Dust motes hang in the air, moored, unbothered. He can hear wind rustling the autumn leaves as he ascends the stairs of the split to find an empty living room. Diet coke goes stale in a glass on the coffee table. Evan does a full lap of the house before he finds a note on the kitchen table.

Hospital. Ma.

EVAN

Shit.

He bolts from the house, gets in his his car and speeds off toward the hospital.