COLUMBINE

a screenplay written by
DEVIN NEVAREZ
DAYLIGHT. We are closing in on COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL...to reveal.

EXT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/ JUNIOR PARKING LOT –- DAY

A HONDA rushes through the entrance. A 17-year old boy drives the
car. This is ERIC HARRIS. A group of girls sit in a convertible
car nearby. One of them honks.

GIRLS
(all together)
Eric!

They all wave.

INT. ERIC’S CAR –- DAY

Eric smiles and waves. As he turns a corner, his smile diminishes

slowly into a frown.

EXT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR PARKING LOT –- DAY

We trail Eric’s HONDA, a BMW stalks behind. An 18-year old boy

drives the car. This is DYLAN KLEBOLD.

The HONDA rushes in an open parking space. Eric slips out pulling
a HULKING DUFFEL BAG. A 17-year old boy with a cigarette in his
mouth spots Eric. This BROOKS BROWN. He walks to Eric.

BROOKS
Hey!

Eric rolls his eyes and looks up.

BROOKS (CONT’D)
What’s the matter with you!?
We had a test in psychology!

ERIC
(insistent)
It doesn’t matter anymore.
Brooks, I like you now. Get out
of here. Go home.

Brooks shakes his head and walks off.

Eric looks up and discovers another 17-year old boy staring at

him curiously. This is NATE DYKEMAN. Eric takes his gaze off of
him, swings the heavy bag around his shoulder and continues on.

CUT TO:
 2.

INT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/HALLWAYS –- DAY

Eric struggles his way through a crowd of hundreds of students.

He does not look at any of them, nor does anyone even notice him.

He moves inconspicuously through –-

INT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/COMMONS –- DAY

Eric drops the DUFFEL by a small PILLAR and moves on out.

CUT TO:

INT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/CAFETERIA –- DAY (SAME TIME)

Dylan makes his way through a horde of students with a DUFFEL

BAG. He places it by a table strew with food and moves out.

CUT TO:

EXT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR PARKING LOT –- DAY

Eric is wearing ARSENAL strapped to his chest and a large

BACKPACK.

CLOSE ON: The trunk of the HONDA flies open and Eric pulls out a
SEMIAUTOMATIC and a SAWED off SHOTGUN.

He rips off the BACKPACK and stuffs the SHOTGUN inside. He takes
the SEMIAUTOMATIC and straps it in the arsenal.

Silence.

We hear TICKING...

INT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/COMMONS –- DAY (SAME TIME)

Students converse.

tick...tick...tick...tick...

We hear a rush of chattering. Muffled voices, sounds like

gibberish. Massive conversation –-

AN EXPLOSION. FIRE CONSUMES EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

The FIRE EATS the students like a T-REX eating ITS PREY.

INT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/CAFETERIA –- DAY (SAME TIME)

 3.

BOOOOOOM!!! EXPLOSIONS BLOW EVEYWHERE!

EXT. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL/PARKING LOTS –- DAY (SAME TIME)

Students pour like rain out of the school. SCREAMING for there
lives. A couple of STUDENTS ON FIRE!

They RUN for the exits –-

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Students drop like dolls on the floor, blood pouring out of their
bodies like water spilling out of a cup.

Eric and Dylan are firing!

BAM! BAM! BAM! Kids blast in opposite directions. Scrambling to

get out.

Police sirens are heard.

Dylan begins to laugh while insanely firing at students. The

laughter begins to drain out, becoming inaudible until nothing is
heard but the screaming and police sirens.

CLOSE ON: Eric takes one more swipe and then turns his head to
look out into the streets.

CUT TO BLACK:

INSERT TITLE: COLUMBINE

We move into –

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE –- BEDROOM –- MORNING

The room is dimly lit.

On the bed lies ZACHARY SILVERSTONE (28) handsome, natural and

pale. He lies next to JESSICA (27) beautiful and not one to mess
with. This is the woman Zachary loves. HIS WIFE. They lie
together, naked on the bed, the blankets wrapped around them like
cloaks, done making love.

JESSICA
Thanks for doing all the dirty
work.
 4.

ZACHARY
If you’re referring to the sex,
you’re welcome.

She laughs. She begins to caress his neck with her fingers.

JESSICA
I could almost beg for more.

ZACHARY
Well, more will have to wait, because
I have a patient at 9:00.

JESSICA
Maggie?

ZACHARY
Yup. Another intervention, I suppose.

She kisses him all around his neck.

JESSICA
I love you, so much.

ZACHARY
I love you too, but I gotta get going.

He rises from the bed.

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE –- BATHROOM/SHOWER –- MORNING

Zachary takes his shower, water running down his cheeks like
rain.

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE -- BATHROOM –- MORNING (MOMENTS LATER)

Zachary straightens his collar and heads out the bathroom.

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE -– KITCHEN –-MORNING (MOMENTS LATER)

CLOSE ON: A pancake smashes on the pan.

Jessica is making breakfast for herself and her husband.

JESSICA
So does she even tell you anything
important.
 5.

ZACHARY
No. She just tells me all this
vague info on how her boyfriend dumped
her and now her life is a crisis
and how she has no reason to live
anymore.

JESSICA
I thought therapists weren’t supposed
to speak to other people about their
patients.

ZACHARY
Well, you’re my wife. I need some type
of advice on how to deal with this
girl.

He looks at her body.

ZACHARY
You seem to have lost a little weight.

JESSICA
Oh, have I?

ZACHARY
Yeah, you do.

JESSICA
Well, having sex while pregnant does
have its advantages, I suppose.

She turns to the table and she is pregnant. Nine months. Baby
could pop out any minute.

She walks over and sets a mug of coffee beside Zachary. She sits
on the chair opposite him.

ZACHARY
So, tell me what’s new. You’ve been
so quiet lately.

JESSICA
I talked to my Dad last night.

ZACHARY
Did you?
 6.

JESSICA
Yup. My sweet daddy is actually
coming to our anniversary party
on Saturday.

ZACHARY
Saturday. What time will he be in
L.A?

JESSICA
9:00. I’m going to pick him up
at the airport at 9:30.

ZACHARY
Perfect.

JESSICA
Why is that so perfect?

ZACHARY
Because I have a 8:50 appointment
with Maggie. So I won’t be here
when he gets here.

JESSICA
Why are you so afraid of my Dad?

ZACHARY
I’m not afraid of him. It’s just…
The last time we saw him was at our
wedding. And I think the memorable
event that occurred at our wedding
is probably the reason why that was
the last time we saw him.

JESSICA
Well it’s not his fault. You
didn’t have to yell at him.

ZACHARY
I guess he was just trying to
protect his “beautiful little
princess”.

JESSICA
Well, I can’t argue with beautiful.
My face is my favorite part of
my body other than my butt.
That’s probably why you fell madly
in love with me in high school.
 7.

ZACHARY
I didn’t even like you in high
school.

JESSICA
Yes you did.
You know you had a crush on me.

ZACHARY
I didn’t.

JESSICA
Liar.

Jessica takes a sip of her beverage.

ZACHARY
I swear I didn’t. I didn’t start
liking you until after-

He stops, remembering exactly when he started liking her.

Jessica knows it to. She slowly sets her coffee down and stares
at Zachary.

JESSICA
Just try to forget. Don’t worry.

She’s right. He has to forget. He takes his fork, pricks off a

piece of pancake and stuffs it in his mouth. Jessica does the
same.

ZACHARY
(mouth full)
I didn’t like you.

JESSICA
(mouth full)
Don’t talk with your mouth full.

ZACHARY:
Take your own advice.

Jessica stops eating. Then she and Zachary look at each other.
Then they both burst in laughter.

JESSICA
Shut up.
 8.

Jessica glances at the clock and immediately grabs her plate and
mug.

JESSICA
Oh, I forgot I have to go to my
Mom’s house.

She stands up and heads to towards the sink.

She quickly washes her mug out and sets her plate with half eaten
pancakes next to the sink rather than putting in. She turns the
water off and walks back to Zachary. She grabs her keys, which
are next to Zachary’s elbow.

JESSICA
Bye sweetie.

She kisses him.

ZACHARY
Love you.

JESSICA
You too.

Before she walks out of his range, he slaps her bottom. She whips
around, then scoffs and leaves.

ZACHARY
(to himself)
I liked that, that’s for sure.

JESSICA(O.S)
I heard that!

We hear the door shut and Zachary smiles to himself and takes one
last sip of his coffee. He gets up and heads for the sink and
begins to wash the dishes. He then looks up out the window and
sees Jessica walking towards the car.

EXT. ZACHARY % JESSICA’S HOUSE -- DRIVEWAY

Jessica walks over to her silver Volvo. Zachary’s hummer sits

beside hers. She opens the her car door on the driver’s side,
she’s about to get in before she notices Zachary smiling at her
through the window. She waves, and he waves back.

INT. ZACHARY & JESSICA’S HOUSE –- KITCHEN -- MORNING

Zachary holds up one finger. Wait.

 9.

EXT. ZACHARY & JESSICA’S HOUSE –- DRIVEWAY -- MORNING

Jessica climbs in the car and turns the key once. Zachary
suddenly appears beside her door. She rolls down the window and
looks at him.

JESSICA
What’s up?

ZACHARY
How long will you be gone?

JESSICA
Just for a couple of hours. Why?

ZACHARY
It’s just…I don’t know, I hardly
have any day’s off and I just want
to hang with you more.

JESSICA
Well last night was pretty fun, but…

Zachary clearly isn’t satisfied.

ZACHARY
Well, try to be quick…I miss
you.

JESSICA
Ok, I’ll try to be quick…
Come here.

She leans in and they kiss each other. The tension of the kiss is
broken when she ignites her car to life.

ZACHARY
I love you.

JESSICA
Love you too, honey.

She leans over and quickly kisses him one more time.

She backs out of the driveway. Before she drives off, she looks
back at him and blows a kiss, then waves.

Zachary waves back and continues to stand their while watching

his loving and beautiful wife drive away from their street.
 10.

INT. THEREVIVE COUNSELING –- ZACHARY’S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON

Zachary sits alone at his desk and then -- the door opens and
enters MAGGIE EVANS (18).

MAGGIE
Hey, Zach.

ZACHARY
Mr. Silverstone. And you could you
please sit on the couch this time, I
would really appreciate it.

Maggie makes her way to the couch, snatching M&M’S from a small
bowl from Zachary’s desk.

ZACHARY
Don’t mess with my M&M’s, Maggie.

MAGGIE
Are we gonna talk or what?

ZACHARY
After you return my pen.

He approaches her and gestures his hand forward. She takes a PEN
from her jacket pocket and hands to him.

MAGGIE
It’s just a pen.

ZACHARY
And it’s also someone else’s
belongings, now are you going to
behave, or am I going to have to
call your mom again?

MAGGIE
I’ll take the first one.

ZACHARY
Your eighteen years old and I think
it’s time you start acting like it.

MAGGIE
And I think it’s time you tell me
about you and that prego’ wife of
yours.
 11.

ZACHARY
My personal life is none of your
business, but apparently yours is
mine.

MAGGIE
Is it a boy or girl?

Zachary glares at her and now she knows she has to quit. He
continues to flip through his files.

ZACHARY
So, according to your file, you
attempted suicide, by overdosing on
pills. Correct?

MAGGIE
Correcto.

ZACHARY
Why?

MAGGIE
Because, my boy broke up with me.

ZACHARY
I thought he broke up with you after
you attempted suicide.

She doesn’t respond.

ZACHARY (CONT’D)
Look, Maggie, the way you explain
things to me is like a Christopher
Nolan film. Completely out of
chronological order.

MAGGIE
How’s your mom, Mr. S?

ZACHARY
You’re asking me about my mom now?

MAGGIE
I didn’t stutter.

ZACHARY
Don’t change the subject, when we
are focusing on you.
 12.

MAGGIE
I’m tired of focusing on me.
Let’s focus on you for a change.

Zachary chuckles.

MAGGIE
What?

ZACHARY
It’s just you remind me a lot of
myself sometimes. When I was your
age.

MAGGIE
Well, you were my age ten years ago.

She rises and begins to scan the items on Zachary’s shelf.

MAGGIE (CONT’D)
Plus, you actually ended marrying the
girl, you thought was, “the one”.

ZACHARY
You know, I think it’s funny how you
know so much about me.

MAGGIE
(smirking)
Me too.

EXT. THEREVIVE COUNSELING –- PARKING LOT –- AFTERNOON

Zachary walks to his HUMMER, he opens the driver’s side door and
is about to get in until –-

MAGGIE (O.S)
Hey!

Maggie appears on her SKATEBOARD in front of Zachary.

ZACHARY
Hey, Maggie.

MAGGIE
So was I like your only date today.

ZACHARY
No, I had like another patient like
ten minutes after you.
 13.

He gets in and starts the car. He rolls down his window and
Maggie appears. He peers inside his.

MAGGIE
Nice ride. You should let me drive
it sometime.

ZACHARY
Ha! You should eat a spider sometime.

MAGGIE
They actually taste pretty good.

Zachary stares at her, appalled.

MAGGIE
I’m kidding.

ZACHARY
Seriously, you startled me. I actually
thought spiders was the only thing you
ate. Here, you’re getting thinner
every day, go buy yourself something to
eat.

He hands her a 20 DOLLAR BILL.

MAGGIE
(sarcastically)
Seriously, you’re giving me money.
How thoughtful of you.
(sincere)
Thanks, Zach.

ZACHARY
Mis...never mind.

MAGGIE
(she laughs)
You want me to call you miss now.

ZACHARY
No. Now, I will see you later, Maggie.
I want to go see my mom. My wife went
to go see hers yesterday, so I thought
I should go pay her a little visit.

MAGGIE
That’s nice of you.
 14.

ZACHARY
I’ll see you later.

MAGGIE
See ya.

She flips her skateboard to the ground and goes off. Zachary
watches her from his car.

ZACHARY
(to himself)
Be careful, kid.

The car backs out of the parking lot and Zachary drives away.

EXT. ALLISON’S HOUSE -- DAY

Zachary’s black hummer comes to a stop in front of his mother’s

house.

EXT. ALLISON’S HOUSE -- FRONT PORCH – DAY (SAME TIME)

He knocks on the door and it opens to reveal – Zachary’s mother,

ALLISON, (52).

ALLISON
Oh, Zachary, my sweetheart, I’m
so glad you came. It’s so good
to see you.

She smiles and gives him a tight hug.

ZACHARY
It’s good to see you too, Mom.

INT. ALLISON’S HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- DAY

Zachary sits on a stool with his shoulders on the counter as

Allison hands him a cup of coffee.

ZACHARY
You’ve had this stool for so
long I am surprised it didn’t
break the moment I sat on it.

Allison chuckles.

ALLISON
So...how’s Jessica?
 15.

ZACHARY
She’s doing fine and the baby
is due in a week.

ALLISON
Oh that’s good. It’s amazing how
you guys are so young and then
suddenly you end up married and
I am now about to be a grandma.

ZACHARY
You still look beautiful, Mom.

She smiles.

ALLISON
You look so much like your father.
I see him in you every time I look
at you. Handsome and successful.

ZACHARY
I thought you didn’t like to think
about him.

ALLISON
Only sometimes.

She walks over to the refrigerator for something to drink.

ALLISON (CONT’D)
So what special place are you
taking her for your anniversary.

ZACHARY
Le’Dome restaurant.

ALLISON
Isn’t that place extremely
expensive.

ZACHARY
You’re telling me. I spent five
months trying to get a reservation
there.

ALLISON
Did you buy her anything?
 16.

ZACHARY
No. I couldn’t find anything.

Allison walks over to a small drawer and pulls out a beautiful

necklace.

She walks back to Zachary and places it in his palm.

ALLISON
You remember this? I want you
to give it Jessica.

ZACHARY
I can’t.

ALLISON
This was your sister’s. But
Jessica is your wife. And now you’re
going to be the father of her child.
Take it. Harleigh would want you
to have it.

Zachary takes it and gives his mother a tight hug.

INT. THERAVIVE COUNSELING –- ZACHARY’S OFFICE -- MORNING

Zachary sits at his desk, face buried in his hands. The intercom
PHONE rings and Zachary lazily presses his button.

ZACHARY
(into intercom)
Yeah, what is it, Betsy?

BETSY (O.S.)
(from intercom)
Maggie Evans is here for you.

Zachary takes a deep breath of annoyance.

ZACHARY
(into intercom)
Send her in.

BETSY (33) opens the door for the nappy and sleepy Maggie.

She walks over to the couch and collapses.

ZACHARY
Another long night?
 17.

MAGGIE
Another bitchy night.

ZACHARY
Well, what was so “bitchy” about it.

MAGGIE
I don’t know. My mom was being
bitchy and annoying. She will not
leave me alone.

Zachary rises from his chair and begins to walk pace around the
room.

ZACHARY
Look, Maggie. If you’re so sick and
tired of having to hear crap from your
mom. Why don’t you just try going to
school? Again. Start a new life. Try
to get into college, find something
you want to do in life.

MAGGIE
There’s that word again. “Life”.

ZACHARY
Maggie if there was one thing in the
world you could be. Anything? What would
it be?

MAGGIE
A teacher.

The door opens and Betsy appears at the door.

BETSY
Zachary. Your wife needs to see you
for a second. Do you have a minute?

ZACHARY
Sure. I’ll be back Maggie.

He leaves. As he closes the door, Maggie sits there thinking.

Then she gets an idea. She slowly rises from the couch and looks
through the window.

MAGGIE’S POV: Zachary approaches Jessica, he kisses her and then

they walk off into a different room to talk.
 18.

Now is her chance. She slowly walks to Zachary’s desk and sits on
his chair. She looks at the contents on his desk.

MAGGIE’S POV: A few individual photos of Zachary, A wedding photo

of him and Jessica, and a photo of him holding Jessica and photo
of him hugging her and rubbing her hands on her pregnant stomach.

Maggie opens a few of the drawers and begins to dig through its
contents. She doesn’t find anything until –- something catches
her eye. A paper.

MAGGIE’S POV: Maggie stares at a newspaper. A newspaper with

Zachary’s face on it. But it isn’t the grown up 28-year old. It’s
the 16-year old Zachary.

She stares at it in curiosity. What is Zachary doing on a

newspaper?

She squeezes it out from the bottom of the hill papers and files
and stares into it.

THE HEADLINE: MASSACRE AT COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL SHOCKS LITTLETON

MAGGIE’S POV: The newspaper shows Zachary with a crowd of crying

and terrified students and police officers.

Maggie looks out the window and sees Zachary kissing Jessica
goodbye and approaching the office.

Maggie quickly shuts the drawer and races to the couch. She
stuffs the paper in between the cushions of the couch.

Zachary enters the room and looks at her. He does not pass her
curious stricken face.

ZACHARY
Are you okay?

MAGGIE
Yeah...sure.

ZACHARY
You know I was looking over your
file and I noticed that –-

MAGGIE
(interrupting)
Do you know anything about the
Columbine High School Massacre?
 19.

Zachary stops dead. He has to escape his sudden pain. He tries to

act as if he feels nothing.

He moves to his coffee maker and begins to make himself some.

ZACHARY
Why is it that you’re interested?

MAGGIE
Did you go to school there when you
were a kid?

Zachary slowly turns to Maggie, a curious and slightly angry look

on his face.

ZACHARY
How do you know that?

MAGGIE
So it is true.

She pulls the paper from the couch.

MAGGIE (CONT’D)
Looks like I know more about you
than I thought I did.

Instantly, Zachary races to Maggie and snatches the newspaper

from her hand.

ZACHARY
Where did you get this?!

Maggie doesn’t respond. She stares at Zachary, taken aback. Her

eyes shift to the desk and then quickly back to him. It is then
does he realize where she got that newspaper.

ZACHARY
You went through my desk, didn’t you?!

Zachary suddenly lets a scream of anger.

ZACHARY (CONT’D)
Look, I know, because you have nothing
important to do in your boring life,
you want to know more about me! But that
does NOT give you the right, to snoop
though my desk behind my back!
I’m your psychologist, not your fucking
(MORE)
 20.

ZACHARY (CONT’D)
little brother, who you sneak into his
room looking for any porn he masturbates
to at night!

MAGGIE
Did you just call my life boring?

ZACHARY
Maggie, I am not playing this time!
This isn’t one your stupid teenage
coming-of-age predicaments! You just
brought up something that I had to take
years of counseling and therapy to get
over!

Zachary sits down on his desk, takes a deep breath and calms
down. Maggie stands there watching him, guilty and stares at
Zachary with pity.

MAGGIE
Was it really that bad?

ZACHARY
If you’re talking about watching
your school mates get murdered and
getting shot at by two manic students
yeah that’s pretty bad.

MAGGIE
I’m sorry...I shouldn’t have looked. But
you don’t have to be a douche bag about it.

Maggie pulls out her cell phone and begins to dial a number.

MAGGIE
I’m gonna go home.

She walks out of the office and shuts the door behind her.

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE –- NIGHT

Zachary walks in the house and locks the door behind him. He
hears chattering and laughing in the living room. He walks
through and we enter –-

INT. ZACHARY HOUSE –- LIVING ROOM (SAME TIME) -- NIGHT

Zachary enters to find Jessica speaking to DANIEL (30). Zachary

recognizes him. It’s one of his best friends.
 21.

A doctor. Strong and full of promise.

DANIEL
Hey! Zach!

He rushes to him and gives him a handshake and hug. Jessica

watches, smiling.

JESSICA
Hey! I want a kiss too.

ZACHARY
(chuckling)
Oh, shush, Jess.

He walks to her and flops on the couch next to her. He wraps one
arm around her and kisses her.

JESSICA
Hi.

ZACHARY
Hi.

She kisses him again.

DANIEL
Boy, I can’t wait to get married.

JESSICA
Well, you better hurry, getting married
after thirty, especially men like you,
means. D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

DANIEL
Thanks for the flash, Jess.

ZACHARY
How’s work at the hospital.

DANIEL
Fine. As a matter of fact, I have to get
there now. I have a AM patient at three.

JESSICA
Better head off then.

DANIEL
Sure. It might actually stop me from
(MORE)
 22.

DANIEL (CONT’D)
You know, Jess, just think if I
did things right, that would be me
with my arm around you –-

ZACHARY
(interrupting)
Goodbye, Daniel

DANIEL
All right, see ya.

Daniel rushes to Jessica, hugs her and kisses her on the cheek.
He does the same to Zachary.

ZACHARY
(laughing)
Okay, was that really necessary?!

DANIEL
Kind of. Bye guys.

He leaves.

ZACHARY
Did her turn gay overnight?

JESSICA
(laughing)
Maybe. How have you been?

She begins to stroke his cheek.

ZACHARY
Something happened today, with me and
Maggie.

JESSICA
What?

ZACHARY
Do you remember that newspaper that I
got after –- you know –-

JESSICA
Columbine.

ZACHARY
Yes. I kept in the bottom drawer on my
(MORE)
 23.

ZACHARY (CONT’D)
desk and when you came to talk to me
about your dad. She snooped in my desk
and found it.

JESSICA
Wait –- she went through your desk. She
can’t do that. Why would she do that?

ZACHARY
I don’t know. When she held up the paper
in my face. It all came back to me, like
a solid punch in the face.

Jessica puts a calming arm around Zachary’s shoulder.

JESSICA
Hey. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to
be okay. We talked about this, remember?
We were going to get you through therapy,
try to move on and then now your one of
the greatest psychologists on this freakin’
planet.

Zachary looks into her beautiful eyes for a moment and then –-

ZACHARY
You’re my best friend. You always know when
and how to make me happy and every single
time I look in your eyes. My maximum heart
reaches it’s limit.

JESSICA
(blushing)
Thank you so much. I love you.

She kisses him passionately then –-

CUT TO:

EXT. MAGGIE’S HOUSE –- MORNING

Zachary’s car runs through the drive way. Zachary gets out and
walks over to the house.

EXT. MAGGIE’S HOUSE –- PORCH –- MORNING

He knocks on the door and it opens to reveal KATE (40’s) –

MAGGIE’S MOTHER.
 24.

KATE
Mr. Silverstone? What brings you hear?

ZACHARY
Hi, Kate. I’m sorry to come so early and
unexpected like this, I really am but, I
was really hoping if I could speak to
Maggie.

KATE
Of course. Please, come inside.

Zachary follows her in and we move into –-

INT. MAGGIE’S HOUSE (SAME TIME) –- MORNING

Kate closes and locks the door behind her.

KATE
Can I get you anything, coffee?

ZACHARY
No, please don’t, but thank you for asking.

KATE
Maggie is upstairs in her room if you
would like to speak with her. If you need
anything, I’ll be in the garage painting.

ZACHARY
All right. Thanks.

INT. MAGGIE’S HOUSE –- STAIRWELL –- MORNING

Zachary creeps up the stairs. He can hear blasting hard-core

metal music coming from her room. He moves in –-

INT. MAGGIE HOUSE –- MAGGIE’S DOOR (SAME TIME) -- MORNING

Zachary approaches the door.

ZACHARY
(knocking loudly)
Maggie, you in here?!

The music suddenly stops and the door opens to reveal, Maggie,
disheveled and beat. Her clothes are torn in style, in various
places. The way kids dress in these days.
 25.

MAGGIE
What are you doing here?

ZACHARY
I want to talk to you.

Maggie motion the door open in an entrance stanza. Zachary,

expressionless, blankly enters her room. She sighs vigorously and
shuts the door in our faces.

CUT TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S ROOM –- MORNING

The room is big, but quite messy, but in Maggie’s own way, it
sort of has its own beauty to it.

MAGGIE
(pointing to bed)
Sit down.

ZACHARY
Funny, now I am in your shoes.
Your room is a drag for a girl like
you.

MAGGIE
Psh. Don’t rank on my room.

ZACHARY
Well, you always rank on my office, so
let’s get his over with.

Maggie sits down on her chair.

ZACHARY
First, I want to apologize to you for
being an ass last week. In your
retrospect, a “douche bag”. Second, I want
to let you know that what I want to speak
to you about is extremely private and I don’t
want you to repeat anything I say to anyone.
Especially, my wife.

MAGGIE
You don’t tell anyone about my business so --
sure I’ll shut up.
 26.

ZACHARY
Maggie, you need to know that are
certain things in life that you won’t
be able to forget or let go of. And believe
me, I am know the only one who can’t
let go of what happened at that school.
(he begins to sob)

Maggie watches them, transfixed in his predicament.

ZACHARY
Wow, I was just a teenager to. Everyone
was. I was just a normal, unknown little
guy in Los Angeles. Living with his and
mother and older sister.

EXT. BASKETBALL COURT –- AFTERNOON FEBRUARY 1998

CLOSE ON: An orange BASKETBALL slams on the drenched concrete.

It’s still WINTER in LOS ANGELES.

A group of BOYS play basketball. Among them is, 16 year old

ZACHARY SILVERSTONE. Still grasping to his young, handsome and
pale demeanor.

He dribbles the ball from side to side with his friends, who
laugh and crack jokes with passing the ball.

They finally stop. Zachary jogs to a bench and drowns and

absurdly oversized carton of WATER down his throat. JASON (16),
Zachary’s friend walks up to him. Shirtless and wearing
basketball with no underwear.

ZACHARY
Okay. Why don’t you have a shirt on?
Have you seen or felt how cold it is?

JASON
Doesn’t stop me from showing off my guns.

ZACHARY
Tsk. Please.

Jason isn’t ripped, he’s not fat or overweight either, still has
some meat going on here and there.

Zachary’s other friend, BRENT (16), walks up.

 27.

BRENT
Give me some of that water.

Zachary hands him the tub of water. Brent downs it.

ZACHARY
(to Jason)
Did you finish that current events
paper for Mr. Stephens? I want to copy
it.

JASON
(sticking his hands in
back of pants)
Sorry can’t answer that.
(scratching)
My butt itches.

He waves his hand in front of Zachary’s face.

Zachary immediately flinches and wrestles Jason’s hand away.

ZACHARY
Hey, that is probably why Salena
dumped you, because you couldn’t keep
your hands out of the front of your
pants and apparently you can’t keep
them out the back either.

Zachary smacks Jason’s bottom. Then rips down his pants!

Immediately, the group howls in chorus of laughter.

Jason, naked in front of all SIX of the friends, instantly pulls

up his shorts in pure embarrassed. He turns gives Zachary a cold
look.

ZACHARY
(to Jason)
Wear underwear next time.

The laughter echoes out and we –-

CUT TO:

EXT. SUBURB STREET –- AFTERNOON

Jason -- SHIRT ON -- dribbles the ball up and down while walking

in the street with Zachary, who continues to drink the carton of
water.
 28.

JASON
You didn’t have to do it in front
the guys.

ZACHARY
Oh, come on, get a grip. It’s not the
first time I’ve done it.

JASON
True.
(beat)
Do you think that’s really why
Salena dumped me?

ZACHARY
Maybe. Your dirty hands were always
all over her, so...

Jason and Zachary continue on down the street towards Zachary’s

house.

ZACHARY
Why don’t you stop beating yourself
about it and try to get her back?

JASON
Well, I have to know if she still
likes me first.

ZACHARY
You should just go up to her and –-

Zachary stops DEAD in the middle of the street and sees –- FROM
HIS HOUSE –- MILITARY GAURDS and the CAPTAIN walk down the
DRIVEWAY.

EXT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE –- DRIVEWAY –- AFTERNOON

Zachary speed walks to the GUARDS. He knows one of them. ANDREW

(late 20’s) walks mournfully from the house.

ZACHARY
Soldier Andrew. What’s going on?

SOLDIER ANDREW
(puts shoulder on
Zachary)
I am really sorry, Zachary.
 29.

Zachary’s face drains in a worried and frightened expression.

ZACHARY
Oh god no.

He rushes in inside the house. Jason stands there, bewildered and

sympathetic.

Zachary rushes into –-

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE (SAME TIME) –- AFTERNOON

Zachary runs into the living room and finds -– HIS MOTHER –
ALLISON (40) embraces her daughter -– ZACHARY’S SISTER –-
HARLEIGH (18). They both sob and Allison looks up at her suddenly
tearful son.

ZACHARY
(tearful)
Is it true?

Allison leaves Harleigh to confront Zachary. But the sobbing

Zachary exits the room and stomps up the stairwell.

INT. ZACHARY’S ROOM (SAME TIME) –- AFTERNOON

Zachary cries as he slowly closes the door and slides down the
floor. He digs his fingers in his hair and curls up to sob alone.

EXT. GRAVEYARD – FUNERAL -- MORNING

A row of MILITARY GUARDS with RIFLES surround A COFFIN blanketed

by the AMERICAN FLAG.

Allison sobs, while Zachary and Harleigh stand together arm in

arm with blank expressions.

A SOLDIER plays “THE NATIONAL ANTHEM” on BAG PIPES. We cannot

hear it. INAUDIBLE

Every large crowd of people watch as the coffin descends into the
GROUND.

CLOSE ON: The coffin descends to reveal the GRAVESTONE:

STEVEN SILVERSTONE

JANUARY 19, 1957 –

FEBRUARY 12, 1998

 30.

EXT. GRAVEYARD (MOMENTS LATER) -- MORNING

People leave the graveyard, mourning the loss, saddened

expressions. Harleigh walks away with her arm around Zachary’s
shoulders.

Just then -- Jason and his EX – SALENA (15) walk up to the sad
siblings.

JASON
(to Harleigh)
Hey, Harleigh.

Harleigh just gives a small smirk.

SALENA
(sympathetic)
I’m so sorry, about your dad, you
guys. I can’t begin to begin to
imagine what you are going through
right now.

HARLEIGH
Thanks. We’re sorry to.

Salena comes forward and gives both Harleigh and Zachary a tight
hug. Jason does the same.

EXT. GRAVEYARD (MOMENTS LATER) -- MORNING

Allison walks with her children to the car.

CLOSE ON: Allison grips the handle until –-

A WOMAN’S voice calls from behind.

WOMAN (O.S.)
Allison.

Allison knows this voice. She sighs hard, rolls her eyes and
turns around to face –- DANICA SILVERSTONE (60’S), her former
MOTHER – IN – LAW.

ALLISON
(to kids)
Guys, get in the car.

Zachary and Harleigh do as their told.

 31.

ALLISON
(to Danica)
Danica, this is seriously not the
place or time.

They are obviously not on good terms. Danica stands in front of

Allison, stern expression, arms crossed.

DANICA
I should have the right to at least
look at my grandchildren.

ALLISON
You couldn’t even look at your own son.
What makes you think you can face my
children.

DANICA
(stern)
They were his children too.

ALLISON
I know. We made and raised them together.
And if you had the slightest respect for
your son, you wouldn’t be having this
conversation with me at his funeral.

Allison swings her purse around her shoulder and opens the door
to the car. She climbs in and starts the ignition.

INT. CAR (SAME TIME) –- AFTERNOON

HARLEIGH
(to Allison)
Is everything all right?

ALLISON
Just don’t look this way.

Harleigh snaps her head quickly from her view window. Allison
gives one last look at the staring Danica and drives off. Leaving
her in the gray, windy, and cold weather.

ZACHARY (V.O)
Los Angeles was pretty for me. In the
summer it was hot, sweaty and grotesque.
(beat)
The winter was gray, windy and freezing
cold all the way until April.
 32.

INT. ZACHARY’S HOUSE –- DAWN

Zachary packs some BOXES with Harleigh. Lots of boxes.

We get a FULL VIEW of INSIDE the house. It is empty, with

nothing. No FURNITURE, TELEVISIONS. Nothing.

The SILVERSTONE family is MOVING.

ZACHARY (V.O)
My father’s death in the army took
a toll on my mother.
(beat)
She couldn’t sleep well and she hardly
ever looked at me.
(beat)
We were loosing faith and pride in the
life we were living. So my mom wanted
us to start new. We were moving to
Colorado with to live with my grandmother.
(beat)
My mother’s mother.

Allison enters the house.

ALLISON
(to kids)
You guys ready?

They nod and move out.

WE SOAR over LOS ANGELES.

WE see Zachary looking out the window of the car. Looking out
into the BUILDINGS, OCEANS, and STREETS of the cities.

The car goes on different lanes, freeways. It enters the range of

LITTLETON, COLORADO.

EXT. JULIE’S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON

The Silverstone car stops at large white house. It’s their

grandmother’s house.

As the car enters the driveway, the door immediately swings open
and out steps –- JULIE HOYT (50’s). Allison’s mother and Zachary
and Harleigh’s grandmother.
 33.

She jogs to the car.

JULIE
Hi! It’s so good to see you!

She gives Allison a tight hug.

ALLISON
(tired)
Hi, mom.

Julie proceeds to give Zachary and Harleigh tight hugs as well.

JULIE
You guys look tired. Come inside and
rest.

At that moment, a teenage girl steps out the house and walks over
to the group. This is LILLIAN (18). Allison’s younger sister and
Zachary and Harleigh’s aunt.

Harleigh sees her and immediately goes to her with her arms
raised for a hug.

LILLIAN
Hi, harls! How are you?! I haven’t seen
you in forever.

HARLEIGH
I know, how long has it been? A year?

LILLIAN
That’s what it feels like.

LILLIAN
(hugging Zachary)
Hey, Zach. How’s my favorite nephew?

ZACHARY
Spectacular.

LILLIAN
(to Allison)
Hi, Ally!

She rushes to hug Allison. They embrace and they all walk inside
the house. Zachary, however, stands there alone and scans the
NEIGHBORHOOD before him. We sighs and walks towards the house,
hurling his heavy bag over his shoulder.
 34.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- ZACHARY’S BEDROOM -- AFTERNOON

Zachary enters the room. It looks nice, furnished and clean.

He slowly sets his bag down and makes his way to the bed and sits
down. He hesitates and then gently lays his body down and stares
up at the ceiling.

Suddenly, the door opens and LILLIAN enters.

ZACHARY
Hey, Aunt Lil’.

LILLIAN
(closing the door)
How are you doing?

ZACHARY
Fine.

She sits beside him on the bed.

LILLIAN
Look, I know you’re having a hard
time. But I want you to know that as
your aunt, I love you and I want you
to be able to enjoy yourself here.
(beat)
I know we haven’t gotten along in
the past, but please I want you to
understand that I want you to be able
to come to me if you have a problem
or if your ever in trouble.

Zachary sits upright and stares at her.

ZACHARY
Ok, If that’s what you want then.

Lillian leans forward to him.

LILLIAN
(laughing)
Come here, big guy. Give me a hug.

They hug and Lillian kisses Zachary on the cheek.

LILLIAN
Love ya.
 35.

ZACHARY
You too.

She gets up and walks to the door. She grabs the doorknob, but
falters. She takes a glance at Zachary’s LARGE bag.

LILLIAN
Do you need help putting your stuff
away?

ZACHARY
No thanks, I’ll do it myself.

LILLAIN
You sure?

Zachary nods.

LILLIAN
Okay, bye.

She leaves and closes the door behind her.

Zachary rises from the bed and walks to the window.

ZACHARY’S POV: All he sees is grey clouds and WHITE houses,

trees, green grass and all.

Zachary turns his attention to the house next door and –-

ZACHARY’S POV: Zachary sees a BEAUTIFUL young girl walking

towards the house. We have met this girl before, but a 27 year
old version. It’s JESSICA (15).

Zachary stares at her for a moment until she DISAPPEARS behind

the backyard. Zachary turns and walks away.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- DINING ROOM -- NIGHT

Allison, Zachary, Harleigh, Lillian, and Julie sit together

eating dinner.

JULIE
(to Harleigh)
So, Harleigh, were you liking school
before you left down here?

HARLEIGH
Not really. In fact, I’m sort of relieved
to be out of there.
 36.

JULIE
(to Zachary)
What about you, Zachary? What has been
going on with you lately?

Zachary, above all, has not touched his food. He suddenly throws
Julie a stern look.

ZACHARY
I don’t know. Let me see. Well my dad
died at war two weeks ago. I went to
his funeral and saw my estranged
grandmother, who hardly even cares about
me or didn’t give a shit about my dad.

ALLISON
(to Zachary)
Hey! Watch your mouth! And don’t speak
to your grandmother like that or to
anyone else in this house or anywhere
else. Do you understand me?

JULIE
(to Allison)
No. Ally, it’s fine.

ALLISON
(to Julie)
No, Mom it is certainly not okay.
(to Zachary)
Go upstairs to your room. Now.

Zachary gets up and storms out of the kitchen.

ALLISON
(shouts to Zachary)
And I don’t want to see your face
for the rest of the night!

Allison sighs and digs her face in her fingers. Tears begin to
develop.

Julie rubs Allison’s bag, trying to comfort her.

Lillian and Harleigh sit their disheveled, drawn out by the

commotion.
 37.

JULIE
(to Lillian)
Lillian, why don’t you take Harleigh
upstairs? I need to talk to your
sister for a minute.

They leave.

INT. ZACHARY’S ROOM -- NIGHT

Zachary crashes inside and swings the door closed. He KICKS the
desk and then –- tries to calm down.

He breaths and breaths...and breaths.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- KITCHEN -- NIGHT

The sink BLASTS on and dishes flashes under the faucet of water.

Allison is washing dishes. Her mother stands next to the sink

facing her.

JULIE
Do you really think he deserved to be
yelled at like that?

ALLISON
Yes! I’m his mother, I’m not just going
to let him talk like that. In fact,
next time he does like that, I’m going
to smack his face.

JULIE
No. No, stop this. The boy just lost his
father and he –-

ALLISON
(interrupting)
Don’t you think I know that? He was
my husband. I made that boy with him. We
raised him together. I’m his parent and
my job to make sure he stays in line and
losing a parent is no excuse to treat
others with disrespect.

JULIE
How many people can you name who can
say the same thing about you?
 38.

ALLISON
Mom, don’t.

JULIE
I mean you were blowing your top off
at people when your father died.

ALLISON
Mom, please stop...I don’t want to
talk about this anymore.

She turns off the faucet and turns to leave.

JULIE
Hey. Don’t turn from me. You need to
learn to stop turning around and
walking out when someone finally tells
you right. Why do you have to --?

ALLISON
(sobbing)
Because I just lost my husband, Mom!
And I have nothing, except my children.
I told him not to go fight. I told him
and he went anyway.

She drops to a chair by the table. Julie sits down and wraps her
arms around her crying daughter.

JULIE
It’s okay Ally. I know what your
going through. I know.

ALLISON
What am I going to do?

JULIE
Well, your going to stay here that’s
for sure. Then we’re going to settle
Harleigh and Zachary and try to figure
out where we are going to send them
for school.

ALLISON
Oh god...I don’t even know where I am
going to send them for school. They
just moved here, I don’t even know.

JULIE
Why don’t you send them to Columbine?
 39.

ALLISON
Seriously? I can’t do that. Lillian
would –-

JULIE
Oh, it’s okay. You should send them
there. School starts next month. It
would be really nice for them, I’m
pretty sure. It’s a nice school.

Allison breaths heavily and wipes her tears with the back of her
hand.

INT. ZACHARY’S ROOM –- NIGHT

We are plunged into darkness. A creak of light forms and shines

on Zachary in the bed. Curled in blankets, angry eyes staring at
the ceiling.

Allison stands on the threshold, watching him.

ALLISON
Zachary. Honey, are you awake?

Zachary does not respond. Allison enters, leaving the door open.

She does not want to turn on the light. She allows the light in
the hallway to illuminate.

She sits herself down beside Zachary and strokes his hair.

ALLISON
Honey, I’m sorry for yelling. I didn’t
mean to. I know how it feels to lose
a parent at your age. But your going to
have to move on and treat others right.
Because I don’t want you making the same
mistakes I made when...
(beat)
Zachary, baby, are you listening to me?

Zachary slowly turns his body around and faces his mother.

ALLISON
I love you so much, you know that right?

Zachary nods.
 40.

ALLISON (CONT’D)
Were going to have to deal with this
move as best as we can. I promise, I
won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll
always protect you.

She leans in and kisses his forehead.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- LIVING ROOM –- NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER)

The family is sitting together. Talking. Everyone is still in

their night clothes.

JULIE
So, in the next month you will be
starting school. And me and your mother
have been thinking about sending you
guys to Columbine High School with
Lillian.

ZACHARY
Columbine?

HARLEIGH
I’ve been there before. I used to walk
over and wait for Lillian after school
when we visited here sometimes. It’s
a really big school.

LILLIAN
And really nice people. The students
are really good there. I mean, some
people are kind of line, but...
You guys will make friends there
easily.

ZACHARY
I don’t even know if I want to go
to school anywhere around here.

ALLISON
Well you’re going to have to, sweety.

JULIE
It’s alright Zach. You’ll be fine over
there.

Zachary takes a glance at mirror. He stares in to his reflection.

Troubled and curious about his future that lies ahead.
 41.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- KITCHEN -- MORNING

Julie washes bacon grease from a pan. She looks outside, watching
Zachary playing basket ball by himself.

EXT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- MORNING (SAME TIME)

Zachary makes the hoop, dribbles the ball, making more shots.

Zachary stops and takes a drink of his water.

The door to the neighbor’s house suddenly opens and out steps,
JESSICA. Beautiful, and carrying a large bag of garbage.

Zachary narrowly chokes on his water bottle at the sight of her.

Jessica walks to the trash can at the front of the house.

CLOSE ON: The bottom of the garbage bag snags on a metal

sprinkler.

The garbage bag RIPS open a avalanche of trash spills out of the
bag.

JESSICA
Damn it!

Zachary takes a deep breath and sets down the water bottle and
approaches.

ZACHARY
Hey! Do you need help?

JESSICA
No, thanks. I’m fine.

Zachary begins to pick up the trash for her.

ZACHARY
It’s alright I’ll help you.

JESSICA
I said I’m fine. Thanks.

She begins to pick up the trash herself. Zachary continues to

stand there, watching her.

Jessica looks up, irritated.

 42.

JESSICA
Are you just going to stand there?

ZACHARY
Oh, no...sorry.

He turns to leave.

Jessica hesitates. She scans the pile of garbage at her feet.

Then she finally makes up her mind.

JESSICA
(to Zachary)
Wait! Actually, can you help me?

ZACHARY
Yeah...sure.

JESSICA
Thanks.

Zachary begins to pick up the trash along with her.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- BATHROOM –- MORNING (SAME TIME)

Harleigh in the shower, washing herself. She suddenly looks out

the window and sees --

HARLIEGH’S POV: Zachary and Jessica picking up trash.

Harleigh looks curious.

EXT. JESSICA’S HOUSE -– MORNING (SAME TIME)

Jessica dumps the rest of the trash in the garbage can.

She turns to Zachary.

JESSICA
Thanks.

ZACHARY
Your welcome.

JESSICA
(blushing)
Bye.

Zachary nods. He stands there, transfixed in her beauty.

 43.

Zachary stares at something.

ZACHARY’S POV: Zachary stares at her bottom as she walks back to

the house.

He twitches and snaps out of his train of thought.

Walks back into the house.

INT. JULIE’S HOUSE –- BATHROOM -- AFTERNOON

Zachary DAMPS his face in water.

He stands by the sink and looks at his wet face in the mirror.

Zachary glances sideways at the mirror to find Harleigh standing

behind him.