Jim Burleson's Page

INT. ARENA CAGE FIGHTING SHOW - NIGHT
Montage of cage fighting event. Fans screaming and punches
flying. Opening Credits.
INT. LOCKER ROOM SAME EVENT
Daniel (20 SOMETHING MAN) SITS ACROSS FROM A LARGE BLACK MAN
IN HIS MID 20S (DENNIS) CUTTING THE TAPE FROM DANIELS HANDS.
DANIEL NURSES A KNOT ON HIS HEAD WITH HIS FREE HAND AND A BAG
OF ICE AND TRIES TO CATCH HIS BREATH FRESH OFF A WIN IN THE
CAGE.
DENNIS
If you aint gonna keep your hands
up though you are gonna get more
than a knot on your head and a welt
on your leg when the next sucka
lands a shot to on the button
turning the lights out on ya.
DANIEL
I HEAR YOU. WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
JERRY (30 SOMETHING CAGE FIGHTER) WALKS INTO THE LOCKER ROOM
JERRY
I ALMOST HAD YOU MAN. YOU ARE ONE
TOUGH MOTHER.
DANIEL
I GOT LUCKY BUDDY. GOOD JOB.
THANKS FOR THE FIGHT.
JERRY
REMATCH?!
DANIEL
YOU GOT IT. ANYTIME.
JERRY CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM.
DENNIS
MAN YOU RAN A CLINIC ON THAT CAT.
FIGHTING HIM AGAIN IS SO FAR IN
YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR I'D SMACK YOU
MYSELF. You could have really hurt
him.
The ref had to pull you off of him
before he got seriously hurt.
DANIEL
I know. I said it won't happen
again.
DENNIS
It will if you don't let this mess
go.

Dennis' face turns somber.

DENNIS (CONT'D)
Your dad dying wasn't your fault.
DANIEL
Just drop it Dennis. Lets get
something to eat.
INT. APARTMENT BED ROOM - MORNING
Clock alarm goes off. Daniel rolls out of
bed and cracks his head on the night stand. Daniel now stands
in front of mirror two large welts on his forehead. Daniel
looks into the mirror. He limps to the door of his apartment
rubbing his leg.
DANIEL
Ok Lord, it's gonna be one of those
days?
EXT. DANIEL'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Daniel is kneeling down in front of a bike rack checking the
tires on his bike. Both flat. He checks his watch.
DANIEL
Dang It!
Daniel is now running down the sidewalk in a full sprint. He
has a noticeable limp from the fight last night. He needs a
rest. His backpack once slung around his arm now rests on the
ground in front of him. An older car pulls up and another 20
something man (Ben) is leaning toward the rolled down
passenger window. He is Wearing a Rugby Jersey for the
College Daniel also attends.
BEN
Need a ride?
Daniel gasping for a breath looks up. -Beat- swallows.
DANIEL
You're a life saver…uh
He looks for his name in his mental databank.
BEN
(laughing)
Ben
DANIEL
(also chuckling)
Ya sorry. We have a class together
right?
BEN
Ya, Daniel right? Chem Lab.
DANIEL
Ya Chem Lab. Thanks again.
Daniel gets in the car trying to avoid the beer cans on the
floorboard of the car. Ben looks sheepish.
BEN
Would you beleive designated
driver?
DANIEL
(Smiles)
Why not?
EXT. COLLEGE - DAY
Ben pulls into the parking lot and the two get out. A group
of guys are waiting under a tree in the courtyard. Rugby
players by their outfits. (Justin, Roger, and Cliff all 20
somethings athletic)
JUSTIN
Great party last night man. Did
you get that stuff cleaned off your
seat?
All the rugby players laugh as Daniel looks at the back of
his pants. What is that smell?
DANIEL
Thanks for the ride.
Daniel runs into a large building, backpack slung over his
shoulder. Door slams behind him.
INT. COLLEGE / HALLWAY/ CLASSROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Door is closed and locked. Inside the class room the
professor (Paulson) is in the far corner closet trying to
free a stuck projector from it's housing. A clock on the wall
clearly shows past the hour by several minutes. Daniel looks
inside for a friendly face. Girl early 20s (Alice) quickly
gets up and pushes the door quietly open and Daniel slips in
apparently unnoticed.
TIME LAPSE 35 MINUTES
PAULSON
Keeping in mind these latest
studies and their findings, let us
return to our original question:
Can a human being act out of pure
altruism? Science would tell us
that it is not only unlikely, but
impossible.
(Put's image up on projector of mother rescuing child, Mother
Teresa, Crusader, and suicide bomber)

PAULSON (CONT'D)
A mother rescues her child to
achieve the only form of
immortality available to her -
posterity. A christian crusader
leaves his home to die because the
Pope told him it would bring him
eternal reward. Mother Teresa toils
to earn sainthood and glory. A
suicide bomber dies not for his
cause, but for the virgins that
await him in the afterlife.

DANIEL:
Christians may do it for eternal
reward, but what did Jesus do it
for? He believed he was God
already, right?

PAULSON
So religious zealots argue. Their
mythology would have you believe in
virgin birth, and the world's
greatest teacher surrendering
himself to be tortured and
crucified, all to save you. But we
teach science, not fiction. Jesus
was not a God. He was born of
delusion and his death was only to
ensure his movement would live on
with a tradition of martyrdom.

ALICE
Are you lumping Jesus in with
terrorists?


PAULSON
Can you show me a distinction? Does
anyone have any empirical evidence
to the contrary, other than "God
gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, and
now I'll do anything for Jesus?",
because if that's your argument on
a test, you will get an F.


ALICE:
So I have to think like you to get
an A?

PAULSON
You can think any way you want.
What you are not allowed to do in
this class is mindlessly chase
lemmings off of a cliff.

ALICE (MUTTERING TO HERSELF)
Then I'll leave him and his
lemmings to it. I'm outta here.

The door slams behind Alice. A beat.
Daniel grabs his books and runs out after Alice.
DANIEL
Hey! Slow down!
ALICE
I'm not going to let him get away
with that.
DANIEL
What will you do? I think that you
just got us an "F" on this lecture.
ALICE
I'll go to the Dean.
DANIEL
The Dean?
ALICE
(smiles)
Ya, I got people.
INT. COLLEGE / DEANS OFFICE - DAY
Dean Kempton's chair sits empty behind a modest desk
surrounded by Tombs and plaques. Alice and Daniel sit in the
two chairs facing the desk. (Sally) A 60 something lady, the
Dean's secretary comes into the office with the awaiting
students.
SALLY
Miss Justice, Dean Kempton asked me
to tell you he is still tied up
with his earlier appointment and to
invite you to sister West's house
if your needs are urgent.
The two students look at one another, Daniel confused, but
Alice rolls her eyes and waves her head ordering Daniel to
follow her.
EXT. SISTER WEST'S TRAILER HOME
Alice and Daniel are standing outside a well groomed yet
humble yard surrounding a single wide trailer. 2 College
aged men wearing shirts and ties and sporting black name tags
haul cut grass and weeds dropping them each in their own pile
by a shed toward the back of the property. Dean Kempton is
on his hands and knees with a trowel pulling weeds from a
flower bed.
KEMPTON
Be very careful Sister Justice how
you chose to fight the battles you
chose to fight.
ALICE
But Bishop Kempton, you can't just
let him preach his anti religious
ideas and expect me to stand by and
say nothing. All those people who
look up to him and assume he is an
authority on the subject…(she looks
to Daniel) They deserve respect for
their beliefs. And not have his
opinions forced down their throats
as a captive audience. He has no
right to do that.
KEMPTON
(to Daniel) Make yourself Useful.
Kempton hands Daniel a handful of weeds motioning toward the
piles of weeds by the shed. Daniel notices smiles from the
missionaries who are comparing piles of weeds with one
another indicating who's might be the bigger pile.
KEMPTON (CONT'D)
I will review his syllabus and
speak to him. You take the rest of
the hour and go find a place to
calm down just a bit.
(The Dean smiles at the two.)
Have a good day.
EXT. CROSSING THE STREET TO COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY
DANIEL
Bishop?
ALICE
He is the Bishop of my church.
DANIEL
What church is that?
ALICE
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. Mormons.
DANIEL
that's the church by the park,
right? I think I went to a dance
there when I was in high school.
ALICE
Ya that's the one. I wasn't here
during high school. I came from
Idaho.
DANIEL
How did you find this church?
ALICE
We are blessed with a pretty close
community worldwide. We have
churches pretty much everywhere.
DANIEL
Do they all teach the same?
ALICE
Ya. Basically they do. Come on
Sunday and see for
yourself.
DANIEL
I'd rather you tell me over dinner
and a movie on Friday.
ALICE
(embarrassed)
I only go to the movies with guys I
see first on Sunday.

She smiles shyly and turns into the student activity center.
Daniel stands with his mouth open.
CUT TO:
INT. DORM PARTY / LARGE COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
Ben and the three other Rugby players are standing playing
beer pong and dancing to loud music. The party is raging and
he is quite proficient at beer pong.
Ben looks up to see Daniel and Dennis both wearing figure
contouring club style clothes. Daniel's under-armor shirt
sporting the logo CAGE FIGHTA. Ben gives a nod in "hello" to
Daniel and Daniel returns the nod. They do not break stride
and both go toward their respective crowds. A couple of short
skirt wearing club dressed ladies rush up to Daniel and
Dennis Forcing their arms into the arms of the two men so
they are arm in arm. The one girl who chose Daniel (Jessica)
offers him her cup of beer.
DANIEL
No thanks, Sweetheart, I'm
training.

JESSICA
Oh sorry handsome man, I'll just
drink your share. I'm way funner
when I drink.
DANIEL
I doubt that.
Daniel chuckles and pulls away from Jessica as politely as
possible. Alice and another plain looking girl (Nicki) walk
out of an adjoining room both carrying a set of scriptures
and a couple of church books. They both are walking head down
almost rushed to get out of the room. The Rugby players
notice the two girls walking and the three players( Ben,
Roger, Cliff) push past Justin and cut them off.
BEN
Hey Justin, didn't you tell your
sister here that I wanted her
friends number?
JUSTIN
Come on Ben let them go.
BEN
(ignoring Justin )
Come on Nicki introduce me to your
friend.
NICKI
Leave us alone Ben. We aren't
staying.
JUSTIN
Come on guys, lets just get back to
our game.
Nicki looks at Justin's cup assuming it is beer. She shakes
her head and grabs Alice's elbow trying to lead her out. Ben
grabs Alice's books tossing them to Roger.
ROGER
What is this?
(reads off the side)
Alice Justice. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints. You
guys worship John Smith don't you?"
ALICE
No. Pocahontas is fond of John.. If
you ever opened the book you would
read that we worship God and as the
title might indicate, to those able
to read, Jesus Christ. Or maybe
Ben could tell you.
Acid shoots from Alice's eyes toward Ben.
BEN
Oh you got teeth. Why don't you
have a drink to relax you a bit?
ALICE
So I can smell like you? No thanks.

She glares at Justin. Ben throws the beer on Alice
BEN
Then cool off you freak!
The beer drenches Alice and Nicki. Alice stands tears in her
eyes looking at her clothes. Justin grabs Ben and pushes him
away from the girls. Roger drops the Book of Mormon on the
floor in a puddle of beer rushing to split the two up. Ben
grabs Justin and punches him on the nose knocking him to the
ground. Blood drips out. Just as Ben starts to speak, Daniel
leaps from the crowd and smashes Ben's jaw with a looping
right hook. Ben falls into the crowd. Roger hits Daniel in
the back of the head and Daniel turns. Roger holds his hand
in pain. Daniel shoots in and grabs Roger for a suplex
smashing Rogers head and neck on the concrete floor. As
Daniel rises to his feet Cliff charges toward Daniel. Dennis
steps in front of Cliff Grabbing him by the neck with his
large paw.
DENNIS
Do you believe in God little man?
This is one of those
"interventions". (omitted line)
Cliff struggles to free his neck from Dennis's grip. Dennis
spins Cliff around and sinks in a rear naked choke passing
Cliff out in a matter of seconds. Ben has made his way back
to the fracas and finds himself standing alone facing the two
men who decimated his trio. He steps back cautiously.
BEN
You're dead.
DANIEL
Not yet.
Ben takes off out of the party through a rear entrance. His
two friends close behind. As Daniel looks for Alice he sees
Justin ushering them out of the party through another exit. A
gathering of new found fans surrounds Daniel and Dennis.
Dennis finds the new celebrity appealing where Daniel just
looks disappointedly out of the door Alice left from. He
looks down and sees the book of Mormon on the floor. He picks
it up and dries it on his pants. The party goes on.
EXT COLLEGE COURTYARD- LATER THAT NIGHT
Daniel and Dennis are walking home, party goers are now
strewn about passing out and stumbling home. Dennis and
Daniel seem tired but are not drunk. Daniel holds Alice's
books in his hand.
DANIEL
So that was nuts huh? That Ben guy
really turned out to be a jerk.
DENNIS
Ya. I went to grade school with
him. He was a goody two shoes
then. Dad is like the bishop of
that Mormon church here in town.
DANIEL
What? Really? Ah man. That sucks.
His dad seems really cool.
DENNIS
I never really met him. (omitted
line) They got a dozen or so kids.
Good family. All cept Ben. Had his
own agenda about God I guess.
DANIEL
What do you think about all that?
About God.
DENNIS
Talk to him every day. He makes me
the man I am and gets me through.
DANIEL
Do you think my dad is with him?
DENNIS
For sure man. Your dad was saved
right?
DANIEL
From what?
DENNIS
No man, I mean had Jesus in his
heart.
DANIEL
Na I don't really think so. Does
that mean he isn't with him?
DENNIS
I don't know man. That's all I
know. My faith is for what I
believe and know in my heart to be
true. I can't tell you what is
right for you or you dad.
DANIEL
Am I going to hell? For dragging
him to those fights? For putting
that life in front of him?
DENNIS
One thing I do know. You ain't to
blame for his death. It was an
accident. God ain't gonna hold you
to blame for an accident. Sounds
like you need to get your butt to
church instead of to all these
parties.
DANIEL
Ya maybe.
Daniel looks down to the book of mormon he was carrying.
CUT TO:
EXT. MORMON CHURCH - MORNING
Daniel stands in the parking lot having walked from his
apartment waiting for Alice. He is dressed in Blue jeans and
a nice polo style shirt. Car upon car arrives with shirt and
tie men and dress wearing women. Even children are better
dressed than Poor Daniel. He looks at his clothes and feels
particularly self conscience as the members of the church
make eye contact but fail to great him. An elderly woman
gives a brief smile but utters not a word. Finally moments
later that seem like hours a car pulls up with familiar
passengers. Justin and Nicki get out of the front seats.
Alice gets out of the back seat and another young man Daniel
thinks he has seen in one of his classes. All dressed up as
the others who arrived earlier. Daniel now feels even more
under dressed. Justin looks at Daniel and smiles. Looking
embarrassed for the Friday night prior. Justin's nose is
still bruised.
JUSTIN
Hey man what brings you here?
DANIEL
Well I was kind of invited I
thought?
He looks at Alice and then at the guy she was sitting next
to.
DANIEL
Maybe I made a mistake.
NICKI
Of course you didn't make a mistake
silly. We kind of owe you for
Friday night anyway don't we?
ALICE
I invited him. I'm very glad you
came. This is my cousin Jackson.
Jackson, this is the guy I was
telling you about, Daniel.
JACKSON
Nice to meet you. Thanks for
stepping in the other night. Your
that cage fighter right? I've seen
you fight.
DANIEL
Ya that's me. What show were you
at?
JACKSON
That casino show this summer.
Daniel gets a painful look on his face. This was the show
that his dad died driving him home from.
DANIEL
Oh that was a great event. Glad you
liked it.
ALICE
I didn't think I would see you
here.
DANIEL
I had to bring your book back.
He pulls Alice's scriptures from his backpack and hands them
to her. Her face explodes in a smile.
ALICE
Oh my gosh you found them.
DANIEL
(Ignoring her comment)
People here aren't too friendly
really are they?
ALICE
What do you mean?
DANIEL
I feel kinda out of place. People
here haven't really made me feel
like I am allowed to be here. I
think I am just gonna leave.
ALICE
You better not. You made it this
far.
Just then Dean Kempton pulls up in a suburban and his
beautiful wife quickly unloads 6 kids from the vehicle.
No child is older than 16 and they all seem to know their
role in getting the younger children from the SUV amazingly
leaving the Dean without the need to assist anyone out of the
car. His bright smile and posture eases Daniels feelings of
outcast.
KEMPTON
Daniel, its great to see you here.
(Then, looking at the group of
college kids)
It is truly a pleasure to see you.
His powerful grip on Daniels shoulder is one of love and
sincerity. He pulls Daniel from his posture and gives him a
one armed hug.
KEMPTON
So why don't you guys all come over
to my house after church today for
lunch?

He looks at the 5 college students in front of him. The
Students all nod in agreement.
KEMPTON
You guys make sure he feels
welcome.
JUSTIN
Thanks bishop. Will do.
Alice smiles to Nicki. All but Daniel and Justin walk in.
Daniel grabs Justin's arm keeping him back for a second.
DANIEL
So you come here too huh?
JUSTIN
Ya, kinda. School is harder when
you need to fit in to pursue your
goals ya know. I know I shouldn't
do some of the things I do
but...Well but nothing. I am glad
you decided to come. You are
setting a pretty great example to
me if you want the truth.

DANIEL
Maybe. But fitting in to accomplish
a goal seems kind of counter
productive. Being the person you
want to be should be the only goal
you should be worrying about. Just
a thought.



INT. BISHOP'S HOUSE - DAY
Kempton's wife along with Nicki and Alice are preparing lunch
in the kitchen. Justin and Jackson are rolling on the floor
with a couple of the Kempton's 6 kids.
Bishop Kempton and Daniel sit across from each other on a
brown suede couch and matching love seat kept clean from the
food and crayon stains only through constant scrubbing and
rinsing. The touch of kids on the furniture is subtilely
obvious.
KEMPTON
Funny how a pretty face will bring
you to a place you might not have
ventured.
DANIEL
What do you mean? Like Alice you
mean?
KEMPTON
I'm not judging you Daniel. I am a
convert myself. Fallen happily to
the power of a wonderfully faithful
woman.
DANIEL
What do you mean convert?
KEMPTON
I wasn't a member of the church
until I was in college. I met a
beautiful girl and wanted to date
her. She had some pretty high
standards so I found myself trying
to meet her expectations. Her dad
let me take her on one date for
every discussion I took with the
missionaries. After a few
discussions I knew what I was
hearing was true and I felt blessed
to know that I wasn't changing my
beliefs to date this girl,
but my beliefs were evolving based
on the promptings of the holy
ghost. And I also got to date my
"hot cheerleader".
Kempton looks to his wife and smiles at her.
DANIEL
So I kinda hate to ask, but isn't
Ben your son? I mean I know he is
your son, but how can you have all
this and he be...well not the
nicest guy in town?

KEMPTON
Ben is my son. I love him very
much. Very much. He is a good
boy. But we believe in free agency
and he is having some struggles
now. We pray for him often and
hope he'll remember the truths he
learned as a young man.

DANIEL
Looks like he is kinda missin' out
here. You got a beautiful family.

KEMPTON
Ya we really do. We are very
blessed. The kids love him and he
is so good with them. I think he
is just really angry right now
about things that are out of his
control. I hope he comes back
soon.

DANIEL
Hey...I'm sorry for bringing it up.
I just wonder if the things my dad
did in his life are in any way my
fault. And vice verse.

KEMPTON
I don't know. Tell me what
happened.

DANIEL
If it weren't for me he wouldn't
have been at the fights that night.
Driving me home so late. He would
have been here now.

KEMPTON
No Daniel. God loves us all. And
your dad...we are all responsible
for our own actions. I'm terribly
sorry. That's not the end ya know.
It's not too late.

DANIEL
What? Your going to have to
explain that.

KEMPTON
Lots of people believe in forever,
but not of what that really means.
We actually have a bit of an
understanding of what eternity
means and how to prepare for it.
We don't think dying is the end.

Daniel looks a bit uneasy about the serious tone the
conversation has taken and changes the subject.

DANIEL
Hmmm...So your not allowed to date
someone unless they go to your
church?
KEMPTON
You're allowed to, but it is a lot
like dating someone who doesn't
speak your language. It might work
out, but why add one more
complication to what is already a
tough situation. Relationships are
hard enough when you don't add the
trouble of having different values
and beliefs of family and Jesus
Christ."
DANIEL
What is it you believe that would
be so different then everyone else?
That you would encourage your
ladies not to date a guy like me
for example.
KEMPTON
Guys like us you mean. Unless we
are willing to humble ourselves to
the understanding of a fully
restored gospel. To believe that
God wouldn't have left us without a
better than scattered understanding
of what we should believe. Like
our most recent encounter with your
psyche professor? How can there be
so many different ideas about what
is right and what is not without
some divine input.
I don't know if Alice has told you
anything about our church, but we
believe that Christ's church was
lost after the death of His
apostles and that it's been
restored by modern day prophets in
our time.
MONTAGE: DANIEL READS THE BOOK OF MORMON WITH ALICE AND ALONE
DANIEL (V.O.)
What makes your church the one that
is right?
KEMPTON (V.O.)
The holy ghost. Jesus Christ. The
Book of Mormon. Mostly those three.

Church paintings of Jesus Christ and the sacred grove pan
across the screen.
DANIEL (V.O.)
How do I know?
KEMPTON (V.O.)
Read and pray. Get with Alice.
There are a couple of guys that go
around talk more about what
specifically to read and pray
about. Good kids. They are
missionaries. Those guys with the
name tags you met the other day in
The yard.
Daniel with missionaries and Alice. Justin on his knees alone
in his room. Meeting with the bishop.
INT. BISHOP'S HOUSE - DAY
At the kitchen table eating lunch
DANIEL
What's up with everyone being so
rude?
KEMPTON
Not everyone Daniel. But I'm sure
enough to make you feel out of
place. People are just shy or
timid. Maybe they think you should
be the one to be nice first. Even
if they are wrong. Not judging
people is a really hard lesson to
teach. Christ tells us we will be
judged how we judge others.
DANIEL
Like if I forgive someone who lies
to me Jesus may let me slide a bit
if I'm not always honest?
KEMPTON
Lets just say Jesus has that job
for a reason and he will be more
willing to be forgiving when he can
if you set the standard in which
judgment will be made.
DANIEL
And those that make me feel like I
don't belong?
MONTAGE: CHURCH EXPERIENCES
People in the church making less than friendly looks and
whispering conspicuously in Daniel's presence.
KEMPTON (V.O.)
Right or wrong, those people who
may keep you from going to church
by being there themselves are doing
more to be closer to God then you
if your not attending.
DANIEL (V.O.)
Why can't I jus worship in the way
I was? At home in private?
INT. BISHOP'S HOUSE - DAY
Family is cleaning the kitchen. Baby is in a bouncy chair
sleeping in front of Bishop Kempton. Jackson and Justin are
doing dishes.
KEMPTON
Is that something you believe God
wants you to do? Remember you can
lie to me and to yourself, but you
know you can't get one over on God.
MONTAGE: TRAINING SESSION
Justin and Daniel are rolling in the gym together learning
the cage fighting stuff. They are playing rugby in the park
with Dennis and a couple of guys from the rugby team not beat
up.
KEMPTON
We are a church that believes in
helping one another, sharing our
testimonies, and growing our own
faith. We are not perfect but we
know that if we pray and read our
scriptures the truth of all things
will be revealed to us. We want
each of our members to have their
own testimonies and not just
believe what our parents or church
leaders tell us.
Alice and Daniel are getting an ice cream from an ice cream
truck and playing around.
Alice and Daniel are under a tree going over the Book of
Mormon.



EXT BISHOP'S HOUSE- LATER THAT AFTERNOON

Ben pulls up in his old car. The bruises on his face are
gruesome. He tentatively gets out and eyes the familiar car
in the street. The kids see him pull up and rush into the
front yard to greet him. The group of guests are filing out
one by one. Daniel being the last one out the door shaking
hands with Bishop Kempton. Ben's excitement to see his
little brothers and sisters is overshadowed by his hateful
glare toward the quintette of visitors to his parents house.

KEMPTON
Ok you guys, see you on campus.
Thanks for coming to eat. Ben, you
missed lunch. Maybe mom can warm
something up.

BEN
Oh, I'm not staying. Tell Mom not
to bother. I just came to get a
few things I forgot.

KEMPTON
What the happened to your face?

BEN
Ask your lunch guests.

Ben pushes through he opening in the door blocked by Kempton.
Kempton looks out at the group of guest loading in the car
and they exchange remorseful waves.
EXT COLLAGE CAMPUS COURTYARD TIME LAPSE FOLLOWING WEEK

Daniel is walking Alice to class and are ambushed by Ben
Roger, Cliff and a couple more Rugby players. 5 total. Ben
out of nowhere smashes Daniels jaw with a hammer of a punch.
Daniel falls to the ground stunned. Alice tries to rush in
to aid him but is grabbed by Roger.
BEN
I told you, you were dead.
ALICE
Ben grow up. Daniel are you
alright.

Daniel staggers to his feat holding his jaw.
DANIEL
I don't feel dead. Are we doing
this again? I thought you would
have figured it out by now.
BEN
Your finished, you just don't know
it yet. Boys, hold him.

He motions to his players. Cliff and Roger grab his arms one
each. Ben rushes in and clotheslines Daniel dropping him to
the ground again brutally. Daniel again climbs back to his
feat wipes some blood from his nose, gets in his fighting
stance and smiles at the rugby players. Daniel maneuvers
around the group and is careful to get Alice behind him. His
chuckle is sinister and fills the thugs with uncertainty.
BEN
What are you waiting for? Grab him.
Are you scared of one guy?
ROGER
He is a cage fighter, Ben.
BEN
If you don't do what I tell you
then you can consider yourself off
the team.

Dennis has made his way to the group along with Justin,
Jackson, and Nicki.
JUSTIN
Some team to belong to. Pick on
girls and gang up on guys six to
one? Count me out.
DENNIS
They should have brought more guys
if they wanna mess with my boy.
Ben, is it? You wanna try your
luck again?

BEN
Oh you bet I do.

Ben charges Dennis and Dennis lunges at Ben taking him down
to the ground. Cliff and Roger both leap onto Daniel but are
dispatched nearly without effort by Daniels fighting prowess.
Dennis lifts Ben to his feet sinking in a rear naked choke.
The other two rugby players have been put face to face with
Jackson and Justin and have changed their postures as if they
were spectators all along.

DENNIS
Here you go Daniel. Show this guy
what teamwork really is.

DANIEL
Na... Thanks man, but let him go.
He isn't even worth the effort. Ben
your such a fool. You have had all
the answers to every question I
have ever had about my life and all
you do is spit in the face of a
family that loves you and friends
that would die for you. There
isn't any amount of beating I could
give you to get you to see how far
you've fallen.

Ben spits on the ground in front of Daniel feeling inside his
mouth the empty socket where his tooth once was.

BEN
You don't know spit about loosing
punk. You don't know nothing about
me.

DANIEL
I know if my dad were here I would
be sure the things I did helped me
get closer to him, not push him
away. I wouldn't betray my
friends, or my family because I'm
too proud to ask for help. Your
dad is a good man. He says you are
too. I don't know much about your
church yet, but I know your dad
isn't a liar. I read in the book
of Mormon about Alma the younger
being visited by an angel so that
he would stop being terrible. He
became one of the greatest prophets
of all time. Just a thought Ben.
Something for you to think about.

Ben stomps off from the field holding his face. Alice comes
up to Daniel and uses her sleeve to wipe Daniels bloody face.
The rugby players one by one walk off after Ben patting
Daniel on the back in apologetic gestures. Dennis gives
Daniel a man hug and shakes the hands of Jackson and Justin.
Justin introduces Nicki to Dennis.

JUSTIN
Dennis, this is my sister Nicki,
Nicki, Dennis.

NICKI
It is very nice to meet you
finally.

DENNIS
Oh girl i assure you the pleasure
is all mine.

Alice kisses Daniel on the cheek.

ALICE
Sounds to me like I owe you a
dinner.

DANIEL
Oh ya. Why is that? Cause I got
beat up for you?

ALICE
Cause you went to church and cause
you seem to have all the answers.

DANIEL
Oh I still got questions pretty
girl.

ALICE
I'm sure you do tough guy. But
seems like you are looking in the
right places to figure it out.



LATER THAT DAY
The group of students, Daniel, Dennis, Alice, Nicki, Justin,
and Jackson are all walking down the sidewalk to class.
Dennis and Nicki are talking flirtatiously.
FADE TO BLACK.
ROLL CREDITS
THE END