WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 1. "THE NIGHT BEFORE" FADE IN: 1 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 1 DANNY, a boy of about 12, lies in bed, reading a comic book. He wears a hospital gown and an I.V. line disappears into the collar. He's surrounded by personal belongings, including a neatly-stacked pile of comics, tape recorder and earphones. Get Well cards are taped to the wall above him and a cluster of colorful balloons are tied to the head of his bed. We hear a frighteningly loud CLATTER. Danny jumps a bit, sees a curtain hooked to runners on the ceiling being pulled by a young, pretty female INTERN, accompanied by two DOCTORS. We register surprise in Danny's eyes - this isn't a visit he was expecting. DOCTOR MCGOVERN Hello Danny. How are we this afternoon? Danny shrugs apprehensively. What do they want now? DOCTOR MCGOVERN (CONT'D) Danny, this is Doctor Churchill. He's an associate of mine that I've asked to review your case before we go in tomorrow. He'd like a quick look, if you don't mind. Danny shifts uncomfortably as the doctors flank him and the intern pulls the curtain closed all the way around his bed. Dr. McGovern absently knocks over Danny's stack of comics while Dr. Churchill pushes his food tray table aside and pulls his hospital gown up, hiking it up to his chest. We don't see anything below his breastbone. DOCTOR MCGOVERN (CONT'D) (nearly inaudible) So basically we have a closed extrophy with bilateral loop cutaneous ureterostomies. DOCTOR CHURCHILL And the plan is to construct an illeal loop system?... Their discussion turns to MUMBLE as Danny endures this exam. As the Doctors study him the pretty Intern flashes a warm smile. Her gesture has the opposite effect: it heightens Danny's embarrassment. With a pained expression he drops his head back on the pillow and looks away. DOCTOR MCGOVERN Okay, Danny. See you in the morning. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 2. 1 CONTINUED: 1 Danny nods. The Intern pulls the curtain open with a RATTLE and the three leave without fanfare. An older NURSE (JANET) enters the room and goes to a vacant bed next to Danny. She hurriedly starts stripping off dirty sheets - a permanent SCOWL on her face. A SECOND Nurse (MARY) enters, followed by A Kid (MARTIN). He's about 9, wearing jeans, a short-sleeve shirt and wire- rim glasses. He holds a shopping bag against his chest. He’s pale and scared. Danny sees Martin but he's far too preoccupied with restacking his comics and restoring his personal space. MARY (to Martin) You can put your belongings in the drawers. Martin nods. She steps over to the vacant bed to help Janet. Martin sees Danny then glances over to MIKE, 14, sitting on his bed. Clad in sweats and a football jersey, Mike sorts baseball cards. Martin pulls out socks, underpants and a plush BUNNY from the shopping bag. He sees Mike smirking at the bunny, quickly stuffs it and his undies in the drawer. He stares at the floor, a little lost. MIKE (to The Kid) What are you in for? THE KID I have to have an operation. DANNY (still not looking up) Join the club. JANET (O.S.) (fairly harshly) Martin. He faces Janet, who holds out a folded hospital Johnny. JANET (CONT'D) Take off your clothes and put this on. She shoves the gown at him on her way out. As she EXITS relief shows on Mike's and Danny's faces. Martin looks at the Johnny in his hands with trepidation. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) 1 MARY (a conspiratorial smile) Do you have pajamas? He nods, points to the shopping bag on the floor. MARY (CONT'D) You can wear your pajamas for now, but you’ll have to change before your surgery in the morning. He nods again, pleased. MARY (CONT'D) Get changed. I’ll be back to check on you later. As Martin kicks off his jeans and puts on his pajamas, Danny finally takes an interest: DANNY So, what’s wrong with you? MARTIN My appendix is bad. My stomach hurts. MIKE Right here? Mike points to a spot between his hip and bellybutton, just above the waistband of his sweats. MARTIN Yeah! How did you know? MIKE Saw it on "Eight is Enough." They could tell one of the kids had appendicitis by poking that spot. Made him scream. DANNY They gonna cut it out tomorrow? MARTIN My Mom said they had to or I could get really sick. DANNY (nods, serious look) Yeah. You could die. Martin's eyes go wide. Danny isn't fazed one bit. DANNY (CONT'D) Either way, you’re gonna have a really big scar. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 4. 1 CONTINUED: (3) 1 MARTIN Really? DANNY Yeah. A huge one. They’ll have to cut you right down the middle. MARTIN No way. DANNY (deliberately) Yes way. A long, ugly scar. Now Martin looks unsure, as if he might cry. MIKE Aw, he’s just shitting you. They won’t cut you open that way. My uncle had it done -- it's only a little cut. He holds his thumb and forefinger two inches apart. MARTIN Oh. MIKE You wanna see a scar, check out Danny’s. MARTIN You have a big scar? DANNY (laugh) Yeah. I’ve got lots of 'em. He lifts the side of his Johnny. Above his jockeys are white stitch marks, just above the hip, going around his lower back. Martin steps close to Danny’s bed for a good look. MARTIN Wow... What happened? DANNY Bad kidneys. He lets his Johnny drop. MIKE He's gettin’ a new one, though. That's why he's here. Isn't that right, Danny? Danny nods, not about to let Mike push his buttons. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 5. 1 CONTINUED: (4) 1 MARTIN (to Mike) How come you're here? MIKE They're takin' my tonsils out. MARTIN How come? MIKE I keep getting really bad sore throats. I've missed a lot of school. Martin looks up at Danny’s I.V. and the MACHINE at the top of the pole. It GRINDS -- not loud but noticeable. MARTIN So what’s that? DANNY It’s my I.V. MARTIN How come it's not in your arm? DANNY (dismissive) It's not that kind of I.V. MIKE They're trying to fatten him up; feeding him vitamins and stuff because he's too skinny for surgery. He only weighs seventy pounds! MARTIN My dog weighs more than that! Does it hurt? DANNY Not as much as the shot you're gonna get tomorrow. MARTIN Shot? DANNY Yeah. A pre-op shot. Ever had one before? MARTIN No. Does it put you to sleep? DANNY Nah. They do that in the operating room. The pre-op shot comes first. (MORE) (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 6. 1 CONTINUED: (5) 1 DANNY (CONT'D) It dries your mouth out... (devilish grin) And...it hurts like hell. Martin flinches, rubs his arm unconsciously. DANNY (CONT'D) Not there. You get it in your ass. MARTIN (gulps) But it doesn’t hurt too bad... DANNY Yeah it does. Demerol is like fire. MIKE (a little spooked) I hear it burns. DANNY (nodding: to Mike) Bad enough to make you cry. (beat: to Martin) Bad enough to make you scream. Martin is terrified. Danny stares at him, psyching him out. MIKE (breaking the silence) Thanks a lot, man. Now I’m gonna have nightmares about my ass on fire. Danny smirks. Martin isn't sure what to make of either of them: are they being straight or shitting him again? He backs away, returns to his own bed. As Danny watches, the grin fades from his face. He looks a little guilty. DISSOLVE TO: 2 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT 2 The boys are all in bed. Mike is playing a small hand-held electronic game. Danny has his earphones on, listening to his tape recorder as he reads a book. Martin lines up some small army figures on the railing of his bed. They're antiques, made of lead and hand-painted in fine detail. Danny notices Martin's army figures, shuts off his tape recorder and puts his book aside. DANNY Those are really cool. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 7. 2 CONTINUED: 2 MARTIN (happy he's interested) Thanks. They're really old. My dad gave them to me. DANNY Is he coming tomorrow? MARTIN I don't see him anymore. My parents are divorced. DANNY Oh. Mike drops the game onto the bed and lets out a heavy sigh, bored. He looks over at Danny and his eyes light up. He jumps out of bed, goes to Danny's bed, gestures to Danny's BALLOONS. MIKE Can I snag one of these? DANNY (shrugs) Whatever floats your boat. Mike takes out a balloon from the bunch and sits on the edge of his bed, carefully untying the string and then working the tight knot out of the end of the latex. Danny smiles knowingly. Martin watches from his bed, curious. Mike gets the knot out and sucks deeply on the balloon. He stares at Danny and Martin for a moment. MIKE (helium voice) Hi there! Martin lets out a hearty LAUGH - this is obviously the first time he's ever seen this old trick. MIKE (CONT'D) (helium voice; feigning innocence) Stop it! Why are you laughing? What's so funny? MARTIN How'd you do that? Danny reaches back and grabs two balloons. He keeps one for himself and reaches across the space between the beds, handing the other to Martin. Mike jumps off his bed, begins to SING like "The Chipmunks": (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 8. 2 CONTINUED: (2) 2 MIKE (helium voice) Christmas, Christmas Time is here... DANNY (ignores Mike; to Martin) Untie the string, then the knot. But don't let the air out. Okay? Martin nods, giggling at Mike's singing as he unties the string. MIKE (helium voice) I...still want...a hula hoop! Danny and Martin each undo their knots. Some air RUSHES OUT of Martin's balloon with a SQUEAK but he quickly pinches off the leak. Danny nods with approval. DANNY Okay. Now suck in some of the air from the balloon and hold your breath for a second. Watch me. Danny inhales. Martin follows his lead. Mike takes another huff from his own shrinking balloon, then jumps into the space between the boy's beds. MIKE (helium voice) How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? DANNY (helium voice) Bun seed sesame, a on onions pickles cheese lettuce sauce special patties beef-all two! He laughs. Just as Martin is about to speak: MARY (O.S.) Anyone in here thirsty? The boys look up, startled. Mary stands in the doorway with a drink cart. Martin lets go of his balloon. It SPINS around the room, air escaping with a FARTING SOUND. Danny and Mike barely manage to stifle their laughter let alone hold their breath. They hide their balloons. MARY (CONT'D) What are you up to? No one speaks. Danny and Mike flash innocent smiles but Martin looks guilty as hell. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 9. 2 CONTINUED: (3) 2 MARY (CONT'D) C'mon. What's going on? MARTIN (helium voice) Nothing. His eyes go wide at hearing his own voice. Mike and Danny BURST OUT LAUGHING - high-pitched, Munchkin laughter. Mary flashes a knowing smile. MARY I see. Now, who wants something to drink? MIKE (helium voice) I'm not thirsty. MARY You'd better have something. No food or drink after midnight. MARTIN (helium voice) Why? DANNY (helium fades) Surgery's tomorrow. You can't have anything in your stomach or you'd throw up from the anesthesia and choke to death. Martin gives Danny a wide-eyed glare. This guy is full of precious tidbits. DANNY (CONT'D) I'll have an apple juice. MIKE (helium fades) Michelob Light. (off Mary's "you wish" look) Okay... Hi-C. The Fruit Punch. She hands him a styrofoam cup and bendable straw. MARTIN (helium voice) Do you have Citrus Cooler? She nods, pours, hands out the last drink. MARY Now: no more helium. It's not good for you. Okay? (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 10. 2 CONTINUED: (4) 2 THE BOYS Okay. As she pushes the cart out of the room: DANNY Thanks, Mary! MIKE & MARTIN Yeah. Thanks Mary! She curtseys slightly at the door and then EXITS. The boys slurp their drinks noisily, contented. Danny grabs a new balloon. He starts DRAWING on the surface. Mike watches, intrigued. At last Danny shows off the UGLY FACE on the balloon: big nose, whiskers, warts, mean expression. DANNY Guess who? Mike and Martin smile. Before they can answer: JANET (O.S.) What are you doing out of bed? The boys look up, see Janet. Mike quickly jumps back in his own bed while Danny hides the balloon face under his sheet. Janet goes to a supply cabinet, pulls out two folded items, tosses one to Mike. He catches it, holds it up. It's a Johnny. JANET (CONT'D) You have surgery in the morning. Put it on. He makes a face, pulls off his jersey. She tosses the other gown to Martin, who starts to unbutton his pajama top. JANET (CONT'D) Lights out in five minutes. She turns on one heel. Once she EXITS: MIKE Bitch. He kicks off his sweatpants then slips on the Johnny. As he struggles to tie it in back, Danny snickers. Mike tosses his sweats at Danny. MIKE (CONT'D) Shut up. Still chuckling, Danny tosses them right back. Suddenly the LIGHTS GO OUT. JANET (O.S.) Quiet! (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 11. 2 CONTINUED: (5) 2 MIKE (under his breath) Some five minutes... The boys get under the sheets, barely visible in the dim light from the hall. Danny sighs. A beat... then Mike's sweatpants fly into frame and cover his face with a THUMP! We HEAR Mike's victorious LAUGH in the dark. 3 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER - CLOSE ON DANNY 3 Danny dozes in the darkness. The machine at the top of his I.V. pole grinds away monotonously. WISK! The curtain’s noisy CLATTER snaps Danny awake. A HARSH LIGHT comes on above his bed, shining in his eyes. He squints, sees Janet pull the curtain closed around his bed. She pulls the tray table close. There’s a brown bottle and gauze packages on it. She dons a pair of sterile gloves. DANNY (a little scared) Where’s Mary? JANET (cold) Mary’s shift is over. Sit up. He does. She slips off his Johnny. His I.V. plugs into a CATHETER, which disappears under a BANDAGE below his collarbone. Strips of surgical tape cover his chest, holding the bandage in place. As he leans on his elbows we see another old SCAR: it goes straight down his belly, almost to his jockeys. He nervously watches Janet open packages of gauze: RIP-RIP- RIP. Done, her gloved hands probe the tape, searching for a corner, a place to start pulling. Danny turns away, closes his eyes. The first piece of tape comes off slowly, painfully. Danny’s eyes water. She starts another piece. This time Danny keeps his eyes open, watching, steeling himself. Suddenly she RIPS the large piece from his chest. Danny’s mouth opens but he manages not to cry out. There’s a red mark on his skin. As she reaches for another piece: DANNY Wait! Could you please use some adhesive remover? It really works. JANET (irritated) Just hold still. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE Revision - 2-25-02 12. 3 CONTINUED: 3 His eyes narrow in anger. As the next piece is YANKED OFF he sucks in breath, gritting his teeth. He refuses to cry. The grueling process continues. Over and over pieces of tape are removed with a RIP and Danny grimaces, BREATHING HARD. Danny * bites his lip, refuses to cry. At last the tape comes free. * He puts his head back, panting, exhausted. An uneven square of raw skin shows on his chest. In a series of DISSOLVES we see: The area around the catheter is washed; A cotton ball dipped in Tincture of Iodine, a brown liquid, darkens Danny’s skin; A new gauze bandage is taped in place. Janet slips the Johnny back on, turns out the light. The curtain RATTLES as it’s retracted. As Janet’s FOOTSTEPS fade away, Danny turns onto his side and closes his eyes. MARTIN (O.S.) Did it hurt? Startled, Danny peers over his shoulder. Martin leans on the railing of his bed, clutching his bunny. Danny turns away. DANNY Go to sleep, kid. Martin takes the hint, lies down. He stares at the ceiling. MARTIN Danny... are you scared? A beat as Danny considers a lie, decides against it. DANNY Yeah. But I know what to expect. Maybe that makes it worse. (a beat) You’ll be okay. Go to sleep. 4 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER 4 Danny is sleeping. It's quiet, save for the distant sounds of activity down the hall. Danny rolls over on his side. We hear an almost inaudible TEARING sound, followed by a TRICKLING, DRIPPING sound. His eyes struggle open. He shifts around then his eyes SNAP open, all too awake. He looks down. In the dim light we see a dark SPOT spreading on his Johnny. He slaps his hand over it, pressing his lower abdomen. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 13. 4 CONTINUED: 4 He reaches for his call button, presses it frantically. The INTERCOM LIGHT on the wall between the beds lights up. Martin sits up in bed, concerned. He HEARS Danny squirming around in the bed next to him. MARTIN Danny? No answer. Danny continues to CLICK the call button madly. Martin pulls the light cord, turns on the light above his bed. Squinting, he looks at Danny, who RECOILS from the light like a vampire. DANNY Turn out the light! In the light we see the lower front of Danny’s Johnny is SOAKING WET. A dark spot spreads on the mattress, too. MARTIN What happened? DANNY What's it look like? I pissed myself! Panicked, Danny looks over to Mike’s bed. He has his pillow over his head. He doesn’t stir. Danny turns back to Martin, who has put on his glasses for a better look. DANNY (CONT'D) (harsh whisper) Stop looking at me! MARTIN It's okay. I used to do it, too. Mom said -- DANNY (frantic) No, you stupid jerk! It's not like that! Martin recoils, hurt. Danny keeps CLICKING the call button. Still no answer. DANNY (CONT'D) Oh never mind! Go back to bed! NURSE! Oh, I HATE this! (louder) NURSE! Mike groans and turns over in his sleep. Danny shoots a glance at him, terrified he'll wake up, too. MARTIN Why do you have to be so mean? (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 14. 4 CONTINUED: (2) 4 It isn't so much a question as an accusation, and it hurts. Danny is on the verge of tears. DANNY I'm not... You’re too young. You wouldn't understand. MARTIN How do you know? I’m not stupid. DANNY I wear bags, okay? MARTIN What? DANNY I lied. I'm not getting another kidney transplant... MARTIN Then what's the matter with you? DANNY I was born all fucked up. I don't piss like you do. I don't have a bladder, so the tubes from my kidneys are on the outside. That means I have to wear bags on the outside. Danny glances down to his hand holding the lower left side of his abdomen. He pats the OTHER side of his belly with his free hand. We hear the RUSTLE of plastic. DANNY (CONT'D) See? Two bags. One for each kidney. Martin’s eyes are wide. Danny is scared but keeps talking: DANNY (CONT'D) It's hard having two bags and i t's damaging my kidneys, so they’re trying to build me a kind of bladder. MARTIN So then you can pee like-- DANNY No. I’ll still have to wear a bag. I'll never be able to pee like a normal person... But one bag will be better than two... He looks at his hand still holding the bag in place. DANNY (CONT'D) I hate it. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 15. 4 CONTINUED: (3) 4 Long beat. A tear spills from one eye. DANNY (CONT'D) I hate bags and dressing changes and catheters and-- His voice catches. He begins to CRY. There’s ANGER as well as sadness, yet his words grow softer as his armor cracks: DANNY (CONT'D) ...and hospitals and doctors and, and the pain... He puts his head down, begins to SOB. Martin watches, frozen. Danny won't look at him, humiliated. But for a moment his teary eyes glance up and he sees-- Mike, AWAKE, sitting up on his elbows, watching. Danny cries harder, not knowing how much Mike has seen or heard. He turns on his side, away from the prying eyes. Mike lays back down, turns away himself, giving Danny some space. Though scared, Martin doesn’t turn away. He wants to say something but doesn’t know what. Finally he lies down. He finds the pull cord and shuts OFF the light. In the dim light Danny continues to cry, but softer. 5 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - EARLY MORNING 5 Danny sits in bed wide-awake. He wears a clean, dry Johnny. The room is silent except for his I.V. machine, grinding. MARY (O.S.) It's time, boys. Both Martin and Mike stir as Mary and Janet enter. Janet carries a tray with syringes and alcohol wipes. Martin rubs his eyes and sits up. Danny glances at him. When Martin looks over at Danny, Danny looks away, avoiding eye contact. Janet goes to Mike. JANET Roll over. MIKE Wait! You can't! It's not time yet! My parents aren't even here yet! JANET It takes time to work. We've got other things to do. MARY It's okay, Mike. They'll be here before you go downstairs. I promise. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 16. 5 CONTINUED: 5 Mike rolls on his side for Janet. She lifts his Johnny, tears open an alcohol wipe and rubs his skin roughly. Martin puts on his glasses in time to see Janet pop the safety cap off the needle. His eyes go WIDE with fear. Janet plunges the needle into Mike's rear, injects. MIKE Goddammit, that HURTS! He gasps for breath as she pulls his Johnny down. Martin looks at Mary, terrified. MARY It’s okay. I’ll take you through it, step by step. Martin turns onto his side without a fight, facing Danny. Danny tries on a smile but it doesn't fit. He knows what's coming. Mary swabs Martin's butt just below the hip. Martin stares at Danny with determination and surprising strength. We hear a small POP, then: MARY (CONT'D) Try not to tighten up. That helps. Okay? Martin nods back at Mary as Janet appears at Danny’s bed. He does not resist as she rolls him over to face Martin, but he holds his Johnny down in front as she lifts it in back. MARY (O.S.) (CONT'D) Here we go. One, two, three. Martin grimaces as the needle sticks him, holds his breath. Danny waits for it. Martin’s eyes GO WIDE as he feels the injection. His body tenses in shock but he doesn’t make a sound. He holds it in, eyes watering from the pain but never leaving Danny’s. Danny watches him, waiting for the scream, waiting for the tears. They don't come. Mary removes the needle and rubs the spot with a cotton ball. Martin finally EXHALES, shaking. Amazment, even a touch of esteem shows on Danny's face -- the kid took it like a man... POP! Janet spears Danny in the ass with the needle and his eyes nearly pop out of his head. As she depresses the plunger Danny throws his head back and CRIES OUT, giving voice to the pain. Martin JUMPS, startled. Janet withdraws the needle and pulls his Johnny down, restoring his dignity. Danny blinks back tears, ashamed. He can’t meet Martin’s gaze. (CONTINUED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHITE Revision Shooting Draft 6C - 2-17-02 17. 5 CONTINUED: (2) 5 Martin suddenly slides over to the edge of his bed. He sticks his arm through the side railing, reaches out to Danny across the space between their beds. Danny doesn't know what to do. He finally makes real eye contact with Martin. He considers Martin's hand a moment then reaches out and takes it. Martin gives Danny a warm, reassuring smile. Danny smiles back. At last they let go, hands withdrawing from view. Danny glances over at Mike. Mike meets his gaze. Slowly he smiles then gives Danny a "thumbs up." Danny does the same. MOVE IN CLOSE on Danny. He lays back, head sinking deep in the pillow, eyelids heavy as the Demerol takes effect. MATCH DISSOLVE TO: 6 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 6 Danny in bed, post-op. He’s thinner, with circles under his eyes and a gastric tube in his nose. He's never looked more frail. He stares at something out of view, eyes on-- THE ARMY FIGURE: It stands on his tray table beside his comics. Martin's gift. WISK! That awful CLATTER of the curtain makes Danny JUMP. He grimaces in pain, looks over at MARY as she pushes the curtain back, reveals an EMPTY BED. We see the other beds are empty as well, freshly-made. Mike and Martin are gone. MARY You can put your belongings in the drawers. She's talking to the NEW KID, standing in the doorway. About 11, he holds a plastic bag filled with his belongings. Danny sits up with difficulty, raises his hand, waves. The New Kid stares at him, a bit frightened by Danny's appearance. Danny understands, keeps smiling. Slowly the New Kid smiles in return. DANNY Hi. FADE OUT