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INT. BLACK SCREEN 1 VOICE OVER I always knew I would tell this story, even if I didnÕt know how. You see the beginning was like an end, and the end was like a beginning. We were almost halfway through our senior year... FADE IN: SUPER: DECEMBER, 1968 EXT. A HILL OVERLOOKING EAST L.A. - DAY 2 The CAMERA PANS, taking in a view of LA's Eastside: busy, bustling, full of smog and La Mexicanada. WE HEAR their conversation as the CAMERA REVEALS five teenage boys. PEDRO PARRILLA, DAVID LOPEZ, SAL RAZO, RUDY MARIN & AUGGIE CAZARES lie sprawled over, in and around a clean-looking '53 Chevy. DAVID Next semester, its going to be me and Gloria, man. I swear. AUGGIE (reading Want Ads) That's what you said this semester. SAL (chews gum) That's what David says every semester. DAVID Forget you, guys! This time I mean it! AUGGIE (to Pedro) There're no jobs, Pedro. Auggie passes the newspaper to Pedro. SAL I can't believe you mothers! Except for Rudy, here we are, Senior A's next semester, and all you can talk about is some vieja that just shines you on. DAVID Hey, man. Gloria is not just SOME vieja. She's fine. SAL She's stacked. (CONTINUED) 2. CONTINUED: 2 DAVID Your ass hurts! She grew those chichotas over the summer. I was watching! SAL So what's her secret? Does she water them? AUGGIE (bites nails) Maybe she just massages them a lot. DAVID Auggie thinks that things grow when you massage them, Ôcause we know what Auggie massages. AUGGIE Que? ....(dawns) ..La tuya guey! You know you're sick, Mr. V-I-PEE-PEE. How'd you ever get elected Student Body President?! PEDRO Muscles and sweet talk. DAVID (feigning) Afterall, I ain't got no ehgee-kay-shun, man! SAL Who does? RUDY (bites toothpick) Who does what, Sal? SAL Who does have an education? RUDY Shit. SAL I'm going to school and I don't even know what I'm learning, you know? When I was in the fifth grade, mi 'apa showed me how to tune-up the car. In the seventh grade, mi Tio Enrique showed me how to make a table and a sofa...All this pinche time in high school, y que? Vale madre! AUGGIE School sucks! It really sucks. (CONTINUED) 3. CONTINUED: (2) 2 PEDRO Just six more months. DAVID (overwhelmed) Graduation, heh-VEEEEE. That's only six more months of sucking for Auggie! AUGGIE Your old lady's chi-chitas, ese! DAVID She doesn't have any. She had them cut off. Cancer. AUGGIE (astounded) No bullshit?! DAVID No, bullshit. But maybe we can get some for you from a dog. AUGGIE You're sicker than puke, David. You belong in an institution. SAL He is. He's in school. AUGGIE Well I'm breaking out in June, vatos, and then a little "vida loca." Right, Rudy? RUDY Hey, loco. Sometimes I think about going back. AUGGIE Why? You got a job, a carrucha and cruising money! RUDY Puro pedo. Like I really get kicks working for minimum wage at the gas station, ese...waiting on cars and waiting for my draft notice. Que suave, you know. DAVID Hey, I hear if you stay in school or go to college or something, they won't draft you. (CONTINUED) 4. CONTINUED: (3) 2 SAL Simon, but how do you do that? Have you ever known anybody that went to college? DAVID Ni madre. Maybe some of the teachers. SAL So the question is: Which sucks more? School or the draft? AUGGIE The draft don't scare me, eh. A lot of dudes get drafted. They--- PEDRO Hijo de su madre! (reads from newspaper) "Richard Madrid, Eastside High graduate, was reported killed in action while on maneuvers along the Ho Chi Minh Trail." Here's his picture. DAVID (taking paper) Let me see that. SAL Chingale! RUDY The vato was in my class. SAL I can't believe this. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CEMETERY - DAY 3 PEDRO, SAL, DAVID, AUGGIE and a FEW OTHERS pay their respects at the burial of their classmate. DISSOLVE TO: INT. RUDY'S BACKYARD SHACK - NIGHT 4 Strewn with an old sofa, a mattress, a guitar, a collection of liquor bottles, car parts and junk, the smokey shed is lit dimly by an old lamp. A full liquor bottle adds to the humanitarian aid THE BOYS (PEDRO, SAL, DAVID & AUGGIE) bring to RUDY in his time of need. (CONTINUED) 5. CONTINUED: 4 DAVID Hey, Rudy. Maybe they'll send you to Germany, like Elvis. SAL That was before Vietnam. Auggie takes a swig from the bottle, passing it on to Pedro. RUDY I hear there's a lot of smoke in 'Nam. DAVID Most of it's napalm. SAL Just stay away from the smack. DAVID If the VC don't get you, the smack will. AUGGIE Or the clap. SAL Why don't you go to Mexico, carnal? The paddies are splitting to Canada. PEDRO I think I'd go to Mexico. AUGGIE What a bunch of maricas! Man, if they drafted me, I'd go. This is our country, dudes. PEDRO My grandfather says that war is a game played by politicos with the blood of poor people. DAVID You know, we wouldn't have to worry about going to 'Nam if the paddies hadn't taken half of Mexico. AUGGIE They took it?! Where are they hiding it? SAL Get serious, ese. TIGHT ON AUGGIE - Befuddled. (CONTINUED) 6. CONTINUED: (2) 4 TIGHT ON RUDY - Crashed out. DISSOLVE TO: SUPER: JANUARY EXT. BUS STATION - MORNING 5 THE BOYS (PEDRO, DAVID, SAL & AUGGIE) see RUDY off to boot camp. AUGGIE Rubbers, ese. The secret word is rubbers. RUDY I hate going to the pharmacy for those chingaderas. It's embarrassing. DAVID They give them to you in the army for free, Rudy. RUDY For free? DAVID The rubbers are free, but the clap you pay for. SAL That's because after they make you a lean, mean fighting machine, they would rather you died shooting bullets than shooting your wad. PEDRO Maybe he won't even go to 'Nam. SAL Everybody's going to 'Nam, except the rich paddies --- they go to college. PEDRO What's in 'Nam? AUGGIE Los Commies, ese. RUDY Shit. AUGGIE They look like martians, but they're yellow. (CONTINUED) 7. CONTINUED: 5 DAVID I heard they multiply by cell division. That's why there're so many now. SAL Pura madre. Lately, I quit believing everything I hear about them. I want to see them for myself. AUGGIE You can't do that, ese. They hypnotize you and make you torture yourself! RUDY How could they make me torture myself? AUGGIE When you're hypnotized, you don't feel any pain. You could cut off the big one, and you wouldn't even know it for days! PEDRO C'mon you guys. We're scaring Rudy. SAL Pedro's right, guys. And Rudy's got to catch his bus. AUGGIE So what are you going to do with your wheels, loco? RUDY I've been thinking. Of all you guys, I know Pedro isn't going to screw around with it. AUGGIE Pedro! RUDY (hands him keys) But you gotta take my jefita to the store twice a week. All right? PEDRO (surprised) OK, Rudy. Gracias. RUDY Now why don't you guys get going, so I can go, too. I don't want my carnales watching me so much. It don't make it easy, you know. (CONTINUED) 8. CONTINUED: (2) 5 SAL Don't give us no shit. We're with you, carnal. He gives Rudy a back-slapping bear-hug and stands off for an elaborate 3-4 part handshake. RUDY Pinche Sal. Then PEDRO, DAVID AND AUGGIE affectionately maul him. CAMERA favors Pedro. PEDRO (V/O) So we sent Rudy off to boot camp and wondered how soon it would be our turn. But at least I started the final semester with a car. ANGLE ON CAR CUT TO: SUPER: FEBRUARY EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH - DAY 6 ROLL CREDITS The MUSIC of SAM THE SHAM AND THE PHARAOHS' "WOOLY BOOLY" runs over ESTABLISHING SHOTS of Eastside High as students arrive by car and on foot to school. SHOT OF P.A. SPEAKER PRINCIPAL MORTON (V/O) Welcome, Eastside High students, to Spring Semester, 1969. New students will meet in the auditorium for orientation. INT. PRINCIPALÕS OFFICE 7 PRINCIPAL MORTON speaks into a mike on his desk. MORTON (CONT'D) Continuing students will proceed to their homerooms. And, to all Senior A's, best of luck as you take on your final course load, and prepare to enter the job market. I'm confident your educational careers here at Eastside High will be a source of pride, honor and satisfaction to all of you in the years to come. CUT TO: 9. EXT. A SERIES OF SHOTS: ARRIVING STUDENTS - DAY 8 MUSIC RISES as the cars and variety of dress clearly reflect East LA youth in the Late Sixties: tuck-n-roll; hydraulics; longhairs in jeans; teased-hairs in mini-skirts; cholillos in Pendeltons, T-shirts, khakis and hushpuppies; Jetters in Sir Guys, sweater-vests & A-1s; footballers in t-shirts; girls in lettermen's sweaters; bouncing pom-poms and swinging lunch sacks. END CREDITS; MUSIC OVERLAPS AND ENDS THUNDEROUSLY. CUT TO: INT. COUNSELING OFFICE - DAY 9 On a bulletin board, TWO FLYERS are tacked side by side; one announcing college entrance exams is obscured by the other, Tio SamÕs invitation to join the army. Underneath, PEDRO PARRILLA waits first in a line of SEVERAL STUDENTS to see the counselor, MRS. REDDICK, visible through an open door at her desk with a STUDENT. PRINCIPAL MORTON enters, tacks a small flyer over the exam announcement. Morton's flyer reads: Principal Morton says "Avoid the 3-D's...POOR ATTENDANCE = Delinquency, Drugs, Death. You canÕt come to school when you're dead." PRINCIPAL MORTON My dear students, I can not over- emphasize the importance of good attendance, because you know who benefits most from your good attendance? You. Never, ever forget that. Have a good semester. Morton leaves. NEW ANGLE The counselor juggles some papers and her student leaves;. MRS. REDDICK OK. Who's next? Pedro enters, sits and hands the counselor the paperwork. MRS. REDDICK (CONT'D) (reads) Par--rilah, Pay-dro. One, two, three, four solids! What are you trying to do, go to college or something? PEDRO I never thought about it before. (CONTINUED) 10. CONTINUED: 9 MRS. REDDICK Well, you're probably a little masochist, and I probably shouldn't, but here you are. As for college, well, if your name were Jones, I'd probably encourage it. But, I wouldn't want you to have to bear the pain of failing to meet unrealistic goals. Now, if your name were San Pedro...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. The counselor signs Pedro's program of courses. TIGHT ON PEDRO - HeÕs not laughing. CUT TO: INT. TEACHERSÕ CAFETERIA - DAY 10 ANGLE ON CESAR TORRES CESAR stands in line, serving himself a cup of coffee. NEW ANGLE MANNY HERRERA, 47, and VP LUPE MOLINA sit at a table with their coffees. MANNY We looked at houses in Montebello, too, but we found one we really liked in Monterey Park. MOLINA The lots are so much bigger in San Gabriel and we're getting San Marino schools. Cesar comes into the shot. MANNY Join us, Cesar. CESAR Thank you. Con gusto. (to Molina) They still let you fraternize with labor? MOLINA We're looking for a way to use student body funds to build an admnistrators' lounge. Then I won't have to. MANNY So when are you going to teach a Spanish class? I know it's on your credential. (CONTINUED) 11. CONTINUED: 10 CESAR I wouldn't mind teaching Spanish, but it's been three years since I've had a class that really turns me on like C.A.P. MOLINA 'Turns me on.' Our students need basic skills, but Contemporary American Problems turns him on. Cesar looks uncomfortable. CESAR They also need to learn about themselves, their history, their present. We need to show them how to think critically and develop their sense of self-worth. Manny groans from stiffness. MANNY They think fine. But only about parties and dances on Friday and Saturday nights. And I think I need to stretch the old war horse. MOLINA The old war wounds acting up? MANNY Thank God the weather's warming up. IÕm hoping for a good hot semester; it helps the walking. NEW ANGLE As Manny and Molina leave, JIM TAYLOR, an Anglo teacher, sits with Cesar. TAYLOR Still trying to convert the old guard? Could be a job for Superman. Cesar can only smile and shrug his shoulders. CUT TO: INT. COUNSELING OFFICE - DAY 11 GLORIA RIVERA, good-looking, books-against-chest type, has her turn with MRS. REDDICK, the counselor. GLORIA But I already know how to cook. (CONTINUED) 12. CONTINUED: 11 MRS. REDDICK Oh? GLORIA IÕve learned a few things from my mother. MRS. REDDICK Here take this to the clerk. GLORIA But I don't need a class in cooking! MRS. REDDICK Oh, no? And sweetheart, I suppose that some day you'll be so rich, you'll just have your own personal cook! GLORIA I can cook lots of things already. The genuineness of her response prompts a pause, then Mrs. Reddick's hearty laugh. She guides Gloria out. Bewildered, BLANCA waits next in line. Gloria moves on to the clerk. GLORIA You donÕt care what I want, do you? MRS. REDDICK Would you rather go somewhere else? Next! CUT TO: MUSIC TRACK: CANNIBAL & THE HEADHUNTERS' LAND OF 1000 DANCES. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY 12 ANGLE ON CHOLILLO - A cool swagger with an even cooler spin. EXT. SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY 13 The school swarms with young CHICANO STUDENTS in a high school of 1000 faces, fronts, backs and twice as many legs. INT. COUNSELING OFFICE - DAY (MUSIC UNDER) 14 SAL's next; AUGGIE sits inside with MRS. REDDICK. Reading, Sal seems fairly involved with a novel: J.A. Villarreal's |POCHO|. With inflated cheeks, Auggie exits, his mocking undetected. Sal enters, handing over paperwork. MRS. REDDICK So, it looks like you could graduate this June, Sal-vah-dor. You don't need much. Let's see. (CONTINUED) 13. CONTINUED: 14 SAL I don't want any more shop classes, Mrs. Reddick. I think I've taken them all. MRS. REDDICK Well, there's C.A.P. with Mr. Torres, and sewing... SAL (incredulous) Sewing? Sewing! Cooking's closed, huh? Look, do you have any classes where I could just read a few books, maybe like this one? MRS. REDDICK What is that? SAL It's about this man that crosses the border after fighting in the Revolution, moves to San Jose, and has pocho children. It was like reading about my uncle and my cousins, and the police hassles... MRS. REDDICK Given your reading level, I can recommend more remedial reading. But your folktales, like comic books and nudie magazines, have no place in an institution of learning. SAL If this is supposed to be a place of learning, how come I feel like I'm not learning anything? MRS. REDDICK It's very simple. You kids are too damn lazy. We shouldn't have to be your mothers. SAL Something is really wrong here, Mrs. Reddick. MRS. REDDICK Most certainly. Look unto thyself, Salvador. CLOSE ON SAL - He knows the problem is elsewhere. (CONTINUED) 14. CONTINUED: (2) 14 ŌLAND OF 1000 DANCES" FADES. CUT TO: EXT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY 15 STUDENTS circulate between classes. PEDRO (V/O) Mrs. Reddick probably believed all she said about us. But at some point I know we stopped believing it ourselves. CUT TO: INT. CLASS - DAY 16 The BELL RINGS and CESAR TORRES, 35, teacher, addresses a class that includes PEDRO, DAVID, SAL, AUGGIE, GLORIA and BLANCA. TIGHT ON DAVID - He can't keep his eyes off Gloria. TIGHT ON GLORIA - She notices, but remains indifferent. NEW ANGLE CESAR It's nice to see some familiar faces among the new ones. My name is Mr. Torres. I teach History, I'm the faculty advisor to the student newspaper, and I'm very excited about teaching this particular class --- Contemporary American Problems. Our Student Body President has a question. David? DAVID What kinds of problems are we going to study? CESAR What kinds of problems would be important for a class like this to study? Auggie meekly motions. AUGGIE You know my math isn't so good, Cesar. You're not going to give us math problems, are you? CESAR No favors, Auggie. Here's a one just for you. (CONTINUED) 15. CONTINUED: 16 AUGGIE Chale! TIGHT ON BLANCA - She can't keep her eyes off Pedro. TIGHT ON PEDRO - When he notices, he gets very self- conscious. CESAR Fifty percent of East Los Angeles students drop out of high school. Why? What happens to them? What happens to their lives? The students are left thinking. Perhaps Pedro & Sal think about it the most seriously. Auggie calculates figures. AUGGIE Cesar, is this a trick question? CUT TO: EXT. STREET/ROCKY'S - DAY 17 ANGLE ON RUDY'S '53 CHEVY (OVERLAP DIALOG) With PEDRO at the wheel, DAVID, SAL & AUGGIE pack the weighed- down Chevy, as it pulls into ROCKY'S, a drive-in hang-out on the boulevard. SPARKS fly from scraping bottom. INT. ROCKY'S - DAY 18 PEDRO, DAVID, SAL & AUGGIE sit squeezed in a booth passing around some papers. DAVID The dude said the school could even give me money. Financial aid, I think he called it. Some of it I don't have to pay back. AUGGIE They pay you to go to college? SAL I gotta check this out, man. PEDRO How did you find out about it? DAVID Cesar gave me this number to call at the university. (CONTINUED) 16. CONTINUED: 18 AUGGIE (mimicking) THEEEE university! Que chingoneria! SAL Shit, getting paid to go to school beats pumping gas, ese. DAVID I'm not in yet. I'm just applying. SAL We need more applications, carnal. DAVID Let's apply to more than one college! SILVIA SEVILLA, a cheerful, chummy & shapely waitress arrives with a loaded tray. SILVIA Who gets the lemon-limes, you guys? PEDRO (speechlessly) Aaaaaaaah, me! AUGGIE I get one. DAVID The hamburger is mine. SILVIA (serving) ...And now 2-cokes and 4 fries. I hope your mothers feed you at home better than this. (walks off) AUGGIE I think I'm going to ask for cola, instead of lemon-lime, eh. SAL C'mon you guys. She's at least 21 and she's got a kid. Show some respect. DAVID How do you know? SAL My cousin's friend used to go around with her. (CONTINUED) 17. CONTINUED: (2) 18 Pedro's eyes haven't left Silvia; he's absolutely taken. Auggie motions to the others to take notice. AUGGIE Pedro! Wake up! The guys laugh at an embarrassed Pedro. DAVID Don't wolf on him, Auggie Doggie. SAL Simon. The little dude is falling in love. DAVID Hey, Pedro. Are you falling in love? What's it like, carnal? AUGGIE Do you feel holy? PEDRO Que gachos. CUT TO: INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - DAY 18 19 CESAR arrives to find his pregnant wife, AURORA, painting; furniture covered with a plastic tarp sits in the center. CESAR I thought you weren't going to do any more strenuous work. AURORA For one thing, it's not very strenuous. For another, I thought you were going to paint this room before the new semester started. CESAR I ran out of time. But what's your hurry? We've got four months before the baby's due. AURORA And if they go by as quickly as the first four, May will be here tomorrow. CESAR You're probably right. AURORA How is the new semester shaping up? (CONTINUED) 18. CONTINUED: 19 CESAR It's a little early to tell. The C.A.P. class has some bright kids. But I've got so many sports writers in Journalism, I don't have enough assignments for all of them. If I can redirect some and recruit a few more from the C.A.P. class, I might be able to cultivate a little more thoughtful expression. AURORA What do you mean "thoughtful expression?" CESAR You know..a.. AURORA Yes, I know. Auxilio, Padre Santo. CUT TO: INT. JOURNALISM CLASS - DAY 20 PEDRO has his nose in Pocho; DAVID & SAL read student newspapers; AUGGIE goes through a photo file & CESAR attends to OTHER STUDENTS in the b.g. SAL You don't have to ask anyone. PEDRO I'm behind on my homework, anyway. AUGGIE Don't be a bofo, Pedro! The Red Satins are playing. It's going to be BAD! DAVID How about Blanca? PEDRO Not Blanca. She's been bugging me since before Christmas. AUGGIE Hey, check out our leading scorer. He's so good, he plays with his eyes closed. Auggie hands a still to Sal. INSERT STILL: Eyes closed, David poses in his basketball uniform and a silly grin. (CONTINUED) 19. CONTINUED: 20 NEW ANGLE Cesar approaches. CESAR So guys. Who's going to join the class? DAVID I've got baseball. PEDRO You should help cover student government. AUGGIE Can I take pictures? CESAR We can show you what to do. SAL (raises newspaper) You say Chicano high school students in Texas do this? CUT TO: INT. KITCHEN - EVE 21 PEDRO enters the kitchen to find his mother (SRA. PARRILLA) filling plates for his father (SR. PARRILLA) and 13 yr-old sister (YOLANDA) seated at the table. Pedro sits. SRA PARRILLA Y esto? Tan arreglado? You look so nice. YOLANDA There's a dance at the high school tonight, 'ama. PEDRO I'll need a couple of bucks, 'apa. SRA. PARRILLA Don't ask your father for money, Pedro. Your father lost his job yesterday. PEDRO Como!? SR. PARRILLA It's OK. I'll give you a dollar, hijo. (CONTINUED) 20. CONTINUED: 21 SRA PARRILLA Fifteen years at the factory, and now? 30 days notice! Increible! SR. PARRILLA And it's just the Mexican workers being laid off, a lot of veteranos who were hoping to cash in on their pensions. YOLANDA How chicken! PEDRO So what will you do, 'apa? SR. PARRILLA I'll have to look for another job, hijo. CUT TO: INT. SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT 22 A Valentine's Dance swings to the sounds of CHRIS MONTES' "LET'S DANCE." PEDRO, DAVID and SAL weave through the crowd of students to check out the action: Sal, cooly acknowledges acquaintances and slaps a few hands; David, oozing charm and smiles, shakes a few hands and slaps a few backs; and Pedro, uncomfortable, awkward, but gracious. ANGLE ON MRS. REDDICK SAL approaches her. SAL Mrs. Reddick! I need to change a class! MRS. REDDICK What do you want to drop? SAL Cooking. MRS. REDDICK What do you want to add? SAL Journalism MRS. REDDICK Get serious. SAL But the lady's not teaching me anything! I'd rather learn a little journalism and get my cookies from a girl scout. (CONTINUED) 21. CONTINUED: 22 MRS. REDDICK With your reading level, you should stay in Cooking. IÕm sure Journalism doesnÕt want you. Oh, but can you imagine if they ship you overseas next year and they assign you to the kitchens? God save our soldiers. ANGLE ON - A dancing BLANCA who spots PEDRO. BLANCA (yells) Pedrito! Pedro notices and timidly waves. BLANCA Don't forget! We're going to dance! Pedro nods and gestures "in a little while" with his hand. Sal and David are amused. CUT TO: INT. RESTROOM - NIGHT 23 PEDRO, DAVID and SAL take leaks and "touch up." PEDRO Maybe if Blanca wasnÕt such a loca. DAVID OK, camaradas, a la conquista like Aztec warriors, eh. SAL But they lost, loco. DAVID Lost what? SAL Everything! DAVID Oh... I knew that. Pedro didn't. As the boys exit, Pedro still combs his hair. Less than satisfied with his looks, he sighs with resignation and goes out. CUT TO: INT. GYM/DANCE - NIGHT 24 The MUSIC of SONNY AND THE SUNLINERS' "TALK TO ME" brings embracing couples to the dance floor. (CONTINUED) 22. CONTINUED: 24 ANGLE ON ENTRANCE - as GLORIA arrives with an WELL- PROPORTIONED DATE. ANGLE ON DAVID Surprised at seeing Gloria with a date, he stops momentarily. PEDRO bumps into him from behind; seeing Gloria and her date, Pedro can't help laugh --- until BLANCA taps his shoulder. BLANCA Ay, Pedrito. Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you! ANGLE ON SAL Visably affected by the counselor, he roams the gym. ANGLE ON GLORIA & DATE GLORIA'S DATE leaves to hang up her coat and get some punch. DAVID wastes no time moving in. DAVID You know, this could be the last chance we'll ever have to dance! GLORIA (unfazed) Could be. When my date gets back it'll be your culito. DAVID Well, that's better than being killed by a Vietnamese. GLORIA What are you talking about? DAVID I'm being drafted. GLORIA (w/genuine concern) Oh, no! ANGLE ON PEDRO AND BLANCA - In a bear-hug grip, she moves his breathless body around the floor. ANGLE ON GLORIA'S DATE - as he checks in her coat. ANGLE ON GLORIA & DAVID - They're dancing. GLORIA You're taking this very well. (CONTINUED) 23. CONTINUED: (2) 24 DAVID Well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do! GLORIA You're so brave. David beams. ANGLE ON GLORIA'S DATE - He waits in the punch line. ANGLE ON BLANCA AND PEDRO - Dancing. BLANCA Ay, Pedrito. You're just not like the other guys. PEDRO I'm not? BLANCA Ay, no! Most guys are either mendigos, babosos or animales. You? You're nice. You're polite. PEDRO I am? BLANCA You're cute. A real chulo. PEDRO Oh? BLANCA Ay, Pedrito. You know what I'm going to do? PEDRO What? BLANCA After this dance I'm going to pin you and make you my Valentine! PEDRO You are? ANGLE ON ENTRANCE - SAL He evaluates his in-coming prospects when he spots AUGGIE outside approaching the door. He leans out and around a GOLIATH RENT-A-COP with lumberjack- arms. (CONTINUED) 24. CONTINUED: (3) 24 SAL Hey, Auggie! Were you sleeping? Nobody answered your door. AUGGIE Hey, vato! I'm awake now! Where are the women? ANGLE ON GLORIA AND DAVID - Still dancing. GLORIA OK, OK, but not tonight. DAVID Why not? Tonight's a good night. GLORIA I came with him and I think I should leave with him. Besides, the "being drafted" was a good act, but nobody gets that lucky. "TALK TO ME" ends and David politely leaves, seen by GLORIA'S DATE returning with cups of punch in each hand. David picks up some bad vibes as THE BLENDELLS' HUGGIE'S BUNNIES increases the tempo. ANGLE ON BLANCA AND PEDRO At the punch line Pedro pays his dimes, hands one cup to Blanca and keeps one for himself. BLANCA (displays Valentine) Isn't it cute! IÕm thinking of taking the journalism class! PEDRO It's a little heart. You are? BLANCA I have to find a pin. Don't go away! PEDRO (quesy) Blanca, I donÕt think---I think I have to go---to the restroom. BLANCA OK, but don't be long. I'll meet you right here. Are you OK? CUT TO: 25. INT. BOY'S RESTROOM 25 PEDRO finishes heaving over a toilet in a stall, takes some toilet paper and wipes his mouth. CUT TO: INT. GYM DANCE FLOOR/ANGLE ON PEDRO 26 He bumps into David PEDRO You gotta help me ditch Blanca, man. If I let her pin me, I'm gonna be stuck with her all night! DAVID Pinche Pedro! PEDRO You gotta help me, David! DAVID All right! All right! It's time to split anyway. They make for the door as the PULSATING BASS of "HUGGIE'S BUNNIES" intensifies. ANGLE ON GLORIA'S DATE - He surveys the crowd for David. ANGLE BLANCA - with pin in hand, a love-smitten and determined stalker. ANGLE ON ENTRANCE SAL & AUGGIE argue with MRS. REDDICK, The Counselor and the goliath RENT-A-COP. AUGGIE Hey, man. It's cool. I really don't want to go in anyway. SAL This is bullshit, man! You know he's not going to start any hassles! He's my neighbor. MRS. REDDICK He can come in if he has his student I.D. I don't make the rules. DAVID & PEDRO emerge from inside. DAVID Come on, you guys. Let's split. (CONTINUED) 26. CONTINUED: 26 SAL Wait a minute man! MRS. REDDICK Are they friends of yours, David? DAVID Yes, Mrs. Reddick. They are. MRS. REDDICK Get'em out of here before I have them arrested. SAL You know he's a student. You're chicken shit, lady! MRS. REDDICK What? DAVID Hey, shut up! We're going! We're going! AUGGIE Later, two-ton. We're gonna go see your mama in the zoo. Hey, who's got the peanuts? David muffles Auggie, as the Mrs. Reddick moves quickly to grab Auggie by the hair and lay a slap across his head that sends him sprawling. ANGLE ON GLORIA'S DATE He peers out the door, spots David and comes out. NEW ANGLE SAL You didn't have to do that! MRS. REDDICK You kids could learn a little respect. SAL Respect goes two ways, lady. At the counselor's side, the Rent-a-Cop steps aside to menacingly flex his massive arms. He lands an elbow to the nose of GLORIA'S DATE coming from behind to confront David. Gloria's Date struggles up and staggers off. Sal, Pedro & David back off. A stunned Auggie rejoins the group. (CONTINUED) 27. CONTINUED: (2) 26 DAVID Hey, we're going alright? We don't want hassles. Right guys? The guys back away cautiously. NEW ANGLE AUGGIE The ruca belongs on Roller Derby. SAL Happy Valentines Day, Mrs.Reddick. We love you and we just love the way you treat us. AUGGIE (rubs ear/shakes head) What did you say, Sal? Mrs. Reddick ignores Sal's last remark and goes inside. PEDRO(V/O) Somehow things never seemed the same again. Because the next day, Sal took us to a rally at the Union Hall... CUT TO: INT. UNION HALL - NIGHT 27 The hall is packed with MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, GRANDPARENTS & STUDENTS in a highly-charged atmosphere. On stage, a skit progresses. In the style of guerrilla theater, a sign establishes the group of exaggerating performers as TEATRO ESTUDIANTIL and the set as "High School." A placard and a white mask identifies an abnoxious TEACHER, who stands before SEVERAL STUDENTS taking roll. PEDRO, AUGGIE, DAVID, and SAL together. In the audience we recognise GLORIA and BLANCA, who wonÕt look PedroÕs way. INTERCUT AMONG AUDIENCE TEACHER Ramirez. RAMIREZ Here. TEACHER Your first name, Ramirez? RAMIREZ Francisco. (CONTINUED) 28. CONTINUED: 27 TEACHER We'll go with Frankie. RAMIREZ It's Francisco, teacher. TEACHER You'll get used to it, Frankie. Unless you prefer "Cisco." Or "Sissy." Ha-ha-ha- ha! NEW STUDENT enters. TEACHER (CONT'D) You're late. What's your name? STUDENT De la Cruz. Jesus de la Cruz. TEACHER Gee-zus? Gee-zus of the cross? And I suppose your mother is the Virgin Mary? (laughs hysterically) And your father's a carpenter! JESUS My mother's name is Maria Virginia de la Cruz, and my father's name is Jose, and he works in construction, teacher burlon tapado. TEACHER (indignant) Are you serious? I swear to God, nothing is sacred! You Mexicans have no respect for religion. I should name my kid, God. (beat) Take a seat, boy, there's one in back. JESUS You can call me Chuy. TEACHER Chewy? Sounds like something one would say about a candy bar. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Just take your seat. This is Home Room Orientation. I'm your your home room teacher, Mr. White, and on occasion I'll be your counselor, your mother and your babysitter. Comprendy? For most of you boys, we'll get to know each other real well, since I teach auto shop, too. (more) (CONTINUED) 29. CONTINUED: (2) 27 TEACHER (Cont'd) That is, of course, unless you can't cut it, and you drop out, which about half of you will anyway. In high school we don't have MR programs like you've been used to. MALE STUDENT (raising hand) Mr. Gabacho---I mean, Mr. White? TEACHER Yes? MALE STUDENT I really don't want to take auto shop. TEACHER Oh, really? A choosy beggar here! That's why this country has welfare programs. You'll have more time to make your babies and the government will pick up the tab. What a wonderful country. DIFFERENT STUDENT (stands & salutes) El USA! Red, blue and WHITE! MR. WHITE Good, you've learned something already. FEMALE STUDENT Mr. White, I'd like to take auto shop. TEACHER (laughs) Sweetheart, prepare yourself for the future. This isn't kindergarten; you're almost an adult. If you girls think you'll have time to work AND make babies, take advantage of the excellent homemaking classes this school has to offer, and you'll have a better chance of getting jobs as maids and cooks. DIFFERENT FEMALE STUDENT Gee, Teacher, I've always dreamed of making gabacho cochinadas. TEACHER (reassuringly) Sounds a little exotic, but that's the spirit. The BELL RINGS. (CONTINUED) 30. CONTINUED: (3) 27 TEACHER (CONT'D) Before you leave, let me welcome you once again to Eastside High. I know many of you won't last the year, so remember this: I still get paid whether or not you learn anything. It's not my problem; it's YOURS. Dismissed! The hammy performers stand, take their bows and exit to an applause that accelerates into a Chicano clap. ONE sporting a beret, comes to the podium clapping. ACTOR Que viva el Teatro Estudiantil! CROWD Que viva! ACTOR Chicano! CROWD Power! ACTOR Chicano! CROWD Power! ACTOR Que viva la raza! CROWD Que viva! SAl participates. PEDRO, DAVID and AUGGIE look a little overwhelmed. CUT TO: EXT. ROCKY'S - DAY 28 DON & JUAN'S "WHAT'S YOUR NAME" runs under an establishing shot of Rocky's. The CAMERA MOVES IN revealing an inconspicuous 'HELP WANTED' sign in the corner of a window. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ROCKY'S - DAY 29 PEDRO, DAVID, SAL and AUGGIE sit at a table. AUGGIE You know, I think that play had a message, man. It was funny. (CONTINUED) 31. CONTINUED: 29 SAL Like high school is real funny, eh. DAVID SomethingÕs funny. PEDRO Like the way they treat us. SAL ThatÕs it! ThatÕs the message! DAVID How to keep a Mexican down without really trying? SAL TheyÕre not going to change! DAVID Of course theyÕre not going to change! PEDRO We have to change. SAL Simon! TheyÕll do it to us until we stop letting them. I could feel it! It just hadnÕt reached my brain yet.IÕm going to write a letter for the student paper. And I want you to help me. PEDRO Me? You're the one with all the complaints. DAVID You're the one that gets good grades in Composition, ese. PEDRO But I've never written anything like that. DAVID Nobody'll read it anyway. The teachers don't care. SAL Maybe. Maybe not. But how many students will read it? Ideas and glances flash around the table. SILVIA arrives with coffee. (CONTINUED) 32. CONTINUED: (2) 29 SILVIA Here you are guys.Four lemon-limes. PEDRO (uncomfortably) Gracias. AUGGIE (indicates tag) Another Silvia! SILVIA Another Silvia. It saves on name tags. AUGGIE (turns on charm) Silvia, these are my camaradas, Pedro, David, Sal and my name is Auggie. The guys nod. PEDRO (weakly) Hi. SILVIA Silvia Sevilla. A sus ordenes. AUGGIE Silvia, Pedro's too shy to ask, but he wants to know if you can give him a job. SILVIA He can talk to the boss tomorrow. CUT TO: EXT. ROCKY'S - DAY 30 Next day PEDRO stands before the "Help Wanted" sign in the window. He gathers his courage and goes in. CUT TO: EXT. VARIOUS - DAY 31 A SERIES OF STILLS of modern school facilities. SAL (V/O) Everything's so new! Even a covered lunch area. Nice. (CONTINUED) 33. CONTINUED: 31 CESAR (V/O) Most of the schools outside black and Chicano areas get more money, not just for construction, but equipment, supplies, you name it. PEDRO (V/O) Do they have as many students? CESAR (V/O) They don't have the overcrowding problems that we do. DISSOLVE TO: INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - DAY 32 PEDRO, DAVID, AUGGIE, CESAR sit around the living room. SAL sits on the floor at the coffee table with pen and paper. They share the snapshots. SAL It's the pinche counselors, too. If I want to take a class that's not sone Mickey Mouse chingaderas like shop, the vieja tells me, 'I don't think you'lldo very well in that class, afterall, you people work better with your hands.' AUGGIE You should've showed her what you can do with your hands, eh! I would've! SAL No jodas! You're the dude that thinks chi-chis grow bigger if you massage them. AUGGIE I've seen books, ese. I've seen books! They use three fingers, like pinche boyscouts. DAVID I told Old Lady Reddick I was going to take what I wanted and if I screwed up, it was my ass. AUGGIE She's the one who told Rudy he couldn't learn anything if he tried, so why come back. PEDRO Is that when he dropped out? (CONTINUED) 34. CONTINUED: 32 AUGGIE He didn't drop out! It was fifteen months of Christmas Vacation, ese. DAVID Hey, I gotta split. I told my jefito I'd wash the car. SAL Man, I'm never gonna finish this thing. DAVID You can do it! Cesar will help you; Pedro is staying. AUGGIE I'll stay and help you, ese. I know all about how school don't teach us nothing. TIGHT ON SAL - Unimpressed, but smiles. CUT TO: INT. ROCKY'S - DAY (OVERLAP DIALOG FROM NEXT SCENE) 33 Working as a busboy, PEDRO gracelessly hustles picking up dishes, wiping tables and narrowly missing a customer. ANGLE ON SILVIA - She watches with amusement. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ROCKY'S/KITCHEN - NIGHT 34 School paper in hand, SILVIA finishes reading Sal's piece as PEDRO skoots in with a tray of dirty dishes. SILVIA 'Ultimately, the faculty and administra- tion of Eastside High would rather see us drop out at the rate of 50% and go die in Vietnam, than teach us to read, write and improve the quality of life for ourselves. Afterall, we're Mexican and expendable, and they're glad they're not.' (pauses) He tells it like it is. I wish I had realized that before I dropped out. I wouldn't be playing 'catch-up' now. PEDRO What do you mean? (CONTINUED) 35. CONTINUED: 34 SILVIA It took me two years to get my diploma in night school! I would have had more college credits by now. PEDRO You're going to college? SILVIA Just East L.A.J.C. right now. But in a couple of years I'll be able to transfer to State. PEDRO Really? ROCKY, the pot-bellied owner, passes through. ROCKY We got customers. That means money and that means I can pay you. Get the picture everybody? PEDRO Yes, sir. SILVIA (aside to Pedro) You think I want to work here all my life? The two exchange smiles and get back to work. CUT TO: INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY 35 The school principal, TOM MORTON, cooly drops a copy of the student newspaper on his desk. With the VP, LUPE MOLINA, as witness, Morton has CESAR on the grill. MORTON Freedom of Speech, my ass! This is an offensive malignment of myself and this institution's faculty by some bean-brain student who's never had better than a "C" in any class he's ever taken! CESAR I'm a little unclear, Mr. Morton. Are you concerned about the academic credentials of the student or the legitimacy of the points he makes? (CONTINUED) 36. CONTINUED: 35 MORTON Legitimacy!? What legitimacy!? Let's call a spade a spade, Mr. Torres. This student has a serious case of sour grapes. He can't cut it, so he blames the school. Does the student really believe we'd rather have him die in some rice paddie? Hell, these kids are killing themselves in their own streets every night! CESAR Mr. Morton, the community has some serious problems. One is gang violence. Another is a school capable of graduating only half of each freshman class coming through its doors. But I don't suppose you see any relation. MORTON We have had high dropout rates among the schools with Mexicans and Negroes for more than the 20 years I've been with the district. You draw your own conclusions, Mr. Torres, you're Mexican. CESAR What are you trying to say, Mr. Morton? MOLINA What he's trying to say Cesar, is something we both know. Our students are not ah--- academically inclined. They're-- CESAR Lazy? Retarded?! Why not? They've been hearing it all their lives. Thank God, they're not stupid, or they'd believe all of it. MORTON Look, enough said. I don't want to see a repeat of this kind of thing. It leads to bad feelings all the way around. Your colleagues are outraged. CESAR But Mr. Morton--- MORTON (calm but firm) MISTER Torres. I don't think I need to remind you that I know you had some problems at the last school you were at. I don't want any problems here. (CONTINUED) 37. CONTINUED: (2) 35 CESAR May I just say one thing? MORTON There is nothing left to say, Mr. Torres. Except maybe answering this question. Are you a troublemaker? CESAR No, sir. MORTON Fine, let's keep it that way. Now don't you have a class to attend to? CESAR Yes, sir. MORTON Then attend to it and let's put this unfortunate incident behind us. CUT TO: INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY 36 SAL walks through the hallway, receiving back slaps, hand shakes and head nods from congratulatory STUDENTS. The attention is new to him, but he manages a few smiles. PEDRO, DAVID & AUGGIE stand outside a class looking on. As VP MOLINA comes by, ANGLE ON MOLINA - An icy stare for Sal. CLOSE ON SAL - Uncomfortable, but tries to ignore it. ANGLES ON PEDRO, DAVID & AUGGIE - exchanging glances. CUT TO: INT. TEACHERS' CAFETERIA - DAY 37 With a cup of coffee CESAR sits down with teacher JIM TAYLOR. ANOTHER TEACHER approaches, throwing a copy of the student paper on the table in front of Cesar. TEACHER #2 Your rag reached new lows this week, Torres. I'm placing a stack in all the toilets. Such diatribe has to be good for something. The teacher walks out with a couple of OTHER TEACHERS, all generous with their icy stares. Taylor looks embarrassed. (CONTINUED) 38. CONTINUED: 37 TAYLOR So much for freedom of speech. On his way in, MANNY HERERRA meets them at the door and immediately senses a problem. CUT TO: INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - DAY 38 With a tray of punch in paper cups and CESAR'S help, the pregnant AURORA circulates through a room packed with STUDENTS, including PEDRO, AUGGIE, SAL, DAVID and GLORIA in the middle of a meeting on a Saturday afternoon. STUDENT #1 Sometimes I think the counselors and the teachers LIKE to make me feel stupid. PEDRO And then they ask you why you don't come to class when they really don't want you there anyway. GLORIA Cesar's is the only class I ever really want to go to. How come we don't have more teachers like Cesar? STUDENT #2 Simon! We need more teachers like Cesar. SEVERAL Yeah! Simon! Good question! CESAR Well, the answer is simple, but the solution isn't. There aren't enough of us going to college to become teachers. AUGGIE How come, eh? SAL Because there aren't enough of us graduating from high school prepared to do anything besides work at a gas station. AUGGIE And pumping ethel really sucks, man! There's laughter from a few students. (CONTINUED) 39. CONTINUED: 38 CESAR Now that doesn't mean we have to wait until all of you graduate from college before we get more Mexicano teachers. There are a few out there, but principals have to do some recruiting. DAVID How do we get them to do that? SAL I think we need a petition. We can offer some solutions and present them to the administration. DAVID How about the School Board? AUGGIE Hit them both! (thinks further) Shit, send it to the governor! The pinche President! SEVERAL (a few laughs) Simon! Yeah, the President! DAVID So who's going to write it? SEVERAL Cesar! Cesar should do it! CESAR No, no, no. This is YOUR petition. These are YOUR demands. Sal did a good job with the letter; may be he can handle it. Sal? PEDRO It was Sal's idea. SAL Well, I --- SEVERAL Do it, Sal! Do it! SAL I'm going to need some help. CESAR You'll get help. Right David? Pedro? (CONTINUED) 40. CONTINUED: (2) 38 DAVID No problem. PEDRO I guess so. But what if they don't read it? Or they ignore it? Then what? CESAR You cross that bridge when you come to it. Right now, I only agreed to help two or three of you with your college and financial aid applications. The next thing I know, I've got a house full of students and there's nothing but this fuchi Fruity-Rooty-Tooty to drink! CUT TO: EXT. ROCKY'S - NIGHT 39 The light on the sign goes off; it's closing time. MUSIC TRACK: CHRIS MONTES' "CALL ME." EXT. BACK ENTRANCE - NIGHT 40 Bundling up, SILVIA and PEDRO exit. ROCKY follows, locking the door and setting the alarm. SILVIA G'night. PEDRO G'night. ROCKY G'night everybody. SILVIA G'night, Pedro. PEDRO G'night, Silvia. CUT TO: EXT. DOWN THE STREET - NIGHT 41 PEDRO walks with his hands stuffed in his pockets as a VW pulls up beside him. It's SILVIA. SILVIA How far do you have to walk? PEDRO Over by Lorena and the freeway. (CONTINUED) 41. CONTINUED: 41 SILVIA Come on. Get in. PEDRO It's OK. I don't mind walking. It's not that far. SILVIA But it IS late. So get in! Pedro gets in the car. CUT TO: INT. SILVIA'S CAR - NIGHT 42 Chris Montes plays on the radio. SILVIA I thought you had a car!? PEDRO It's my friend Rudy's and tonight I loaned it to my other friend, David. But I'm used to walking anyway. SILVIA As long as you don't get jumped. PEDRO Sometimes I run. SILVIA That helps. PEDRO I mean for the practice. I've never been chased. SILVIA Oh, I have. PEDRO Y? What happened? SILVIA They sent him to Vietnam as a specialist. (laughs) PEDRO Why are you laughing? Pura madre? SILVIA No. It's true. I guess I just can't believe it myself sometimes. (CONTINUED) 42. CONTINUED: 42 ŌCALL MEĶ FADES. CUT TO: INT. PARRILLA LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 43 The TV buzzes with a TEST PATTERN and WE HEAR a VW drive off. PEDRO walks through, his FATHER asleep in the arms of his snoozing WIFE on the couch. CUT TO: SUPER: MARCH INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - DAY 44 CESAR and AURORA stretch and do light exercise with some effort. AURORA Cesar, I think you should stop having your mass tutoring sessions here at the house. CESAR I've been thinking of moving them to a park or a restaurant or something. AURORA But you haven't been thinking of not having them for a while or maybe a LONG while. CESAR Actually, I already have. The last few weeks we've done less and less book learning. AURORA You're the one that lets them turn into these strategizing bull sessions. You can change them back. CESAR I don't know if I can. These students are different. AURORA A ver? Explain. CESAR I don't know. But when have you ever known Mexican kids to circulate petitions and speak out for themselves like this? (CONTINUED) 43. CONTINUED: 44 AURORA Cesar, theyÕll transfer you again. CESAR I won't let them meet here any more. CUT TO: EXT. WHITTIER BLVD/SIDEWALK - DAY 45 ANGLE ON SAL & AUGGIE W/YOUNG MAN ON THE STREET MAN Why should they care if we get a good education or not? AUGGIE That's just it, ese. They don't. MAN So what do you want me to do about it? I'm not a student anymore. SAL You sign the petition as a community member. If enough people sign, we can show them we have some power. AUGGIE Student power. MAN How about Chicano Power, eh? SAL (agreeable) You got it. Chicano Power. That's all right, eh. Enthusiastic and elaborate fraternal handshakes ensue. CUT TO: EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH/LUNCH AREA - DAY 46 ANGLE ON SAL, DAVID, AUGGIE & OTHERS A STUDENT PETITION circulates. STUDENT #4 Simon, ese. I signed one of these before. AUGGIE This one? (CONTINUED) 44. CONTINUED: 46 DAVID You can't sign more than once. STUDENT #4 The other one was in front of the store the other day. Something about grapes. SAL I heard some mexicano farmworkers are boycotting lettuce growers. STUDENT #4 So this isn't about a boycott? DAVID You can't boycott a school! STUDENT #5 Simon! I've been boycotting school since the seventh grade, loco! DAVID How do you boycott a school? STUDENT #5 You go to the beach, menso! REACTION SHOTS - David, Sal & Auggie. CUT TO: EXT. SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES - DAY 47 An ESTABLISHING SHOT of "The Hill." EXT. PARKING LOT/ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES - DAY 48 PEDRO sits at the wheel of Rudy's Chevy, with AUGGIE & DAVID in the back seats. SAL comes along and gets into the front seat of the car. PEDRO Ya? SAL That's it. DAVID What did they say, Sal? SAL Not too much. The lady said it would go on the agenda at the next meeting. (CONTINUED) 45. CONTINUED: 48 PEDRO Did she read it? AUGGIE Was she surprised at all the signatures? SAL She could barely lift the pinche thing. CUT TO: INT. ROCKY'S/KITCHEN - NIGHT 49 SILVIA handles orders, while PEDRO handles dishes. SILVIA Two thousand signatures! That's almost everybody in the school! PEDRO Some regular people signed it, too. SILVIA Regular people? PEDRO You know, community members. SILVIA Oh, I would've signed! Why didn't you ask me? PEDRO I don't know. I guess I don't think of you as regular people. SILVIA Just because I work here, go to college, study and I don't party a lot, doesn't mean I'm not a regular person! PEDRO You know what I mean. SILVIA I go to movies, I exercise, I cook --- and pretty well, too! PEDRO So how was I supposed to know? Perdon. SILVIA One of these days I'll show you. (CONTINUED) 46. CONTINUED: 49 PEDRO Show me what? SILVIA That I can cook. I'll invite you over to have dinner with me and Vicky. PEDRO You will? SILVIA Sure. Then you'll see. PEDRO See what? SILVIA That I'm a regular person, with a regular apartment and an exceptional child. You will come over if I invite you, won't you? PEDRO I-I guess. SILVIA OK. It's settled. PEDRO When? SILVIA I don't know! Soon. Ah...How's Saturday? PEDRO In the afternoon? SILVIA When do regular people usually have dinner? PEDRO In the evening. SILVIA (exasperated) Good. We'll have dinner at my apartment Saturday evening....Que batalla!..Why am I doing this? I hope you like lasagna. PEDRO Simon. What is it? (CONTINUED) 47. CONTINUED: (2) 49 SILVIA Tenia que ser. CUT TO: INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY 50 MORTON and MOLINA are having grilled TORRES. MORTON What do you know about this, Torres? Morton pushes the students' petition on his desk in front of Torres, who leafs through it. TORRES It looks like a petition with several hundred signatures. MORTON Well, I am encouraged, Mr. Torres. You obviously got something out of this educational system. You can read. TORRES Miracles do happen, sir. MORTON Don't get smart with me, Torres! I want to know why this came to me from the Hill! Why the first name on the petition is one I was hoping to forget, Salvador Razo. I want a explanation! TORRES Apparently, the students have some complaints and would like a greater voice in decisions that affect their education. MORTON The only decisions any student has to make is to come to class and when to do homework. The rest falls into place. Why didn't the students bring this to me before taking it to the Board? TORRES I don't know; I'm sure they intended to. MORTON You're sure! You know Torres, I know you're not the innocent mouse you pretend to be. Do you know how this makes me look on the Hill? (more) (CONTINUED) 48. CONTINUED: 50 MORTON (Cont'd) If I find you're behind any of this I'll bounce you out of here so fast you'll look like a jumping bean. In fact, I'll see to it you don't get another teaching assignment in this district again! Is that clear, Mr. Torres? TORRES Yes, sir. MORTON Stick the 'sir' crap where the sun doesn't shine! TORRES Yes, s---. As you wish, Mr. Morton. MORTON That's two strikes now, Torres. Three and you're out. TORRES Does this mean there'll be no response to the petition from the Board or yourself? MORTON Response! You want a response! Here's your response. Morton casually starts to shred the document and Cesar lunges forward reaching over the desk. Ripping more, Morton finally drops it in the wastebasket. Cesar straightens up. MORTON (CONT'D) Do you really think the Board can be bothered with petty student grievances that question the ability and integrity of a faculty with 200 years of cummulative experience? (softly) Get out of here! CUT TO: INT. SILVIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 51 The RADIO PLAYS THE PREMIERS' "FARMER JOHN." ANGLE ON MANTEL A pair of FUZZY pictures come into FOCUS: one of VICKY, Silvia's daughter, the other of a G.I. (CONTINUED) 49. CONTINUED: 51 NEW ANGLE PEDRO blinks and rubs his eyes trying to maintain his vision despite the wine. In the background SILVIA picks up the after- dinner mess. SILVIA That's Vicky's father. I haven't heard from him for almost 2 years. PEDRO Where is he? SILVIA Vietnam PEDRO (spirited) This is the best wine I've ever had. SILVIA I wish I had some more. PEDRO The best lasagna, too! SILVIA Chistoso. I thought youÕd never had lasagna before. Pedro is thinking slowly, but he hasn't gone under yet. PEDRO (cautiously) Doesn't that make it incomparable? SILVIA What kind of underpriveledged chicanillo are you? Where do you learn words like "incomparable?" PEDRO I watch Password. VICKY enters from her bedroom with a book. VICKY Pedro, read me another story. PEDRO Another one? (musters energy) OK. (CONTINUED) 50. CONTINUED: (2) 51 VICKY How else can I know if you're going to be a good papi? SILVIA Victoria Sevilla! Por favor! VICKY Si, mami. (low) No hay nadie de quien escoger. Pedro sits on the couch with Vicky on his lap. CLOSE ON BOOK ILLUSTRATION - A red-hooded girl and a wolf in sheep's clothing. PEDRO Little Red Riding Hood. Is this the one where the wolf puts the viejita in the closet or eats her? VICKY He eats her. Fuchila. PEDRO (OS) Orale. ANGLE ON SILVIA - Washing dishes. SILVIA (loudly) She's learning both languages easier than I did. Maybe she'll do better when she starts school next year. I figure the more bilingual she is, the better. (beat) When I started school here, they wouldn't let me speak Spanish. I hated the teachers for making me feel so ah--- de menos --- inferior. (painfully) It was years before I ever said anything in a class. The Anglos have no memory of how hard it is to change countries. De repente, Ingles, everywhere. La radio. La television. (beat) Why do all the teachers have to be gabachos? She finishes the last of the dishes, wipes up, and grabs a towel to dry her hands. NEW ANGLE Entering the living room she finds Pedro with Vicky in his arms, both asleep. She carefully takes her daughter in her arms, not waking her, but waking Pedro. (CONTINUED) 51. CONTINUED: (3) 51 SILVIA Go back to sleep. PEDRO (half-asleep) I gotta go. SILVIA Sleep off the wine and go home later. PEDRO (still dreaming) I gotta go. I gotta get there before the wolf. With one hand Silvia helps him up and he stumbles to the door. SILVIA Pedro? Are you sure you should go? PEDRO (babbling) The old lady is by herself. SILVIA Thank you for coming, Pedro. PEDRO You're welcome...Lobo condenado, I'm gonna kick your butt. Cabron puto. Pedro stumbles out; Silvia closes the door behind him, shakes her head and can't contain her chuckles. SILVIA Ay, Parrilla. PEDRO (V/O) Thinking back, I wasnÕt the only one looking for a fight at the time... CUT TO: MONTAGE SEQUENCE:(MOS) As THE SHAM & THE PHARAOHS' "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD" comes up. EXT. BOARD OF EDUCATION PARKING LOT - DAY (MOS) 52 SAL slams his fist on the car hood, having learned the petition is not on the agenda. DAVID in the driverÕs seat looks surprised. (CONTINUED) 52. CONTINUED: 52 PEDRO(V/O) Sal could have fought the whole school board when we found out they wouldnÕt schedule time to discuss the petition and our grievances. INT. ROCKY'S - DAY 53 SAL and DAVID bring the news to AUGGIE, PEDRO, SILVIA, GLORIA, and a FEW OTHER STUDENTS. EXT. PEDRO'S HOUSE/PORCH - DAY (MOS) 54 PEDRO licks, seals an envelope, and sticks the letter in the mailbox. It's his college application. PEDRO (V/O) But I did win one fight. I deciphered the form and made the deadline for submitting by college application. It was worse than saying a whole rosary for having bad thoughts about Monica Reyes in the third grade. SAM THE SHAM FADES WITH THE END OF THE MONTAGE SEQUENCE. CUT TO: INT. CESAR'S CLASS - DAY 55 As CESAR lectures to students, PEDRO now fights to stay awake from working long hours. We see DAVID, SAL, AUGGIE, GLORIA, BLANCA and OTHERS. On the board, a timeline from 1830 to 1850 presents the major events in the U.S. annexation of its present Southwest: From the first Anglo Texas settlers, to California statehood. INTERCUT AMONG STUDENTS AND BOARD AS NEEDED CESAR ...Manifest Destiny, the idea that the U.S. had some God-given right to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific, became the justification, the rationalization, if you will, for this period of hostile, aggressive, even racist expansion. "Free the territory from the tyranny of Mexico," was John Fremont's cry when it became clear he wasn't in California just to explore and draw maps. The Gold Rush brought an invasion of more greedy and unscrupulous anglos, or yankees, as they were called then, than the Californios (more) (CONTINUED) 53. CONTINUED: 55 CESAR (Cont'd) had ever seen! CUT TO: EXT. LAGUNA PARK - DAY 56 STUDENTS meet, including the boys (PEDRO, DAVID, SAL, & AUGGIE) and CESAR. PEDRO We write letters and they get ignored. We sign petitions and they get ignored. SAL And lost! PEDRO What else are we supposed to do? CESAR (baitingly) How about giving up? SEVERAL No! Forget it, man! Cesar smiles at the reaction. SAL I don't know about you guys, man, but I've just begun to fight. A FEW All right! We'll kick some butt. Chingasos. En la madre! DAVID But how do we fight them? This isn't a street fight where we throw chingasos and bust heads. They call the placa and then WE get busted. SAL The dude's right, man. They're the establishment. They've got the power. AUGGIE We got power, too. We're chingones, no? SAL As long as we organize ourselves, we'll have power in numbers, you know? (CONTINUED) 54. CONTINUED: 56 PEDRO You mean like a union? DAVID Maybe like an association. SAL An association of students. VARIOUS STUDENTS All right a club! Do we get membership cards? How about secret decoder rings? Maybe we can sponsor dances like the Cruzzzers. DAVID This won't be a club, locos. There's going to be too much work to do. GLORIA What are we going to call it? AUGGIE How about "C/S"? SAL Con safos? AUGGIE No, guey. Chicano Students. PEDRO I thought it meant catholic schools. DAVID I know! Mexican American Student Association. SAL M-A-S-A. MASA. DIFFERENT STUDENT (laughs) MASA!? How about tamal?! AUGGIE (indignant) How about mi tamalon, cabron! ANOTHER STUDENT Tamalito! AUGGIE La tuya, guey! Pues orale! Ponte! (CONTINUED) 55. CONTINUED: (2) 56 SAL Will you guys sit down and SHUT UP! We're trying to be serious here. AUGGIE I'm serious. SAL A serious CASE! CUT TO: SUPER: APRIL EXT. DRIVE-IN THEATER - NIGHT 57 MUSIC TRACK comes up: RENE & RENE'S "ANGELITO." INT. SILVIA'S CAR 58 With SILVIA behind the wheel, VICKY on PEDRO's lap, they munch popcorn and wash it down with soda pop. INT. (ELSEWHERE AT THE DRIVE-IN) RUDY'S CHEVY 59 DAVID and GLORIA on a date, also watch the movie. EXT. DRIVE-IN KID'S PLAY AREA - NIGHT 60 SILVIA stands by as PEDRO pushes a delighted VICKY in a swing. The lights blink indicating the start of the next feature. Pedro stops the swing, Vicky hops off, loses her balance,falls and scrapes a knee. Crying, she opts for Pedro's comforting arms instead of her mother's. The threesome walk back to the car. EXT. RUDY'S CAR 61 The windows are fogged. INT. SILVIA'S CAR 62 VICKY sleeps on the back seat, as SILVIA cuddles and rests her head on PEDRO's shoulder. He's wide-eyed and stiff as a board. INT. SILVIA'S CAR 63 No one has moved, but SILVIA sleeps; PEDRO'S eyes are shutting and his head is tilting. MUSIC TRACK: RENE & RENE'S "ANGELITO" ENDS. CUT TO: 56. INT. CLASS - DAY 64 Cesar shows a film in class: Teatro Campesino's I AM JOAQUIN. The images on the screen and Luis Valdez' delivery of the Corky Gonzalez poem captivate the STUDENTS. INTERCUT AS NEEDED NARRATOR VALDEZ ... I have made the Anglo rich, yet Equality is but a word, the Treaty of Hidalgo has been broken, and is but another treacherous promise....My land is lost and stolen, my culture has been raped, I lengthen the line at the welfare door, and fill the jails with crime...These then are the rewards this society has for sons of Chiefs and Kings and bloody Revolutionists.... CUT TO: INT. TEACHERSÕ CAFETERIA - DAY 65 CESAR stands in the chow line with OTHER TEACHERS. JIM TAYLOR stands behind Cesar. TEACHER #3 I don't think there's been a summer I've looked forward to more than this one. TEACHER #4 Three months away from this cess pool of an institution. TEACHER #3 You can't teach them if they don't want to learn. TEACHER #4 Yeah, I know. I went to college for this? Both teachers pipe down under Cesar's glare. TAYLOR I went to college because I thought teachers were supposed to be committed to teaching all colors and all races. So why do I feel like a minority? CUT TO: EXT. LAGUNA PARK - DAY 66 With a number of students, GLORIA, PEDRO, DAVID, SAL & AUGGIE attend a student meeting. Brown Beret, RAFAEL GUEVARA addresses the group. (CONTINUED) 57. CONTINUED: 66 INTERCUT AS NEEDED GUEVARA ...As I've told students from Lincoln, Wilson, Garfield, Roosevelt and Belmont, the Brown Berets are here to help you. We are coming together because we all want the same things: The right to bilingual-bicultural education and teachers; an end to police brutality; that our people be given the right to vote regardless of how much or how little they speak or write any language! DISSOLVE TO: INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (LATE) 67 A sleepy CESAR enters to find MRS. TORRES on the sofa nursing a cup of Mexican chocolate. He sits next to her, puts his arms around her, kissing the back of her head and neck, rubbing her bulging belly. CESAR Couldn't sleep? AURORA No sabes. It's getting so uncomfortable. And then with a kick in the ribs that almost made me yell. The truth is, I'm worried. CESAR About? AURORA Cesar, we can't afford to have you risk your job. I'll need to spend time with the baby after she's born. CESAR He. And I'm not taking any risks. AURORA I don't want to have to go back to work right away. A baby needs HER mother. CESAR His. AURORA Her. Now these are a bunch of kids, frustrated, angry and disillusioned with an educational system that's failed them. (more) (CONTINUED) 58. CONTINUED: 67 AURORA (Cont'd) If it spills over and flows out of control, YOU get burned. CESAR I'm keeping my distance so I won't get burned. What more do you want me to do? Tell them their complaints aren't legitimate? That they have no right to demand a better education? That they should just sit back and take it? You're talking to the son of a union man, mi amor. And--- AURORA I know, I know. And you were practically BORN on the picket line during the El Monte Berry Strike. CESAR OK, OK. I wasn't even going to mention it. AURORA Like hell you weren't. CESAR You think you know me, don't you? AURORA Te conozco mosco. CESAR So what do you want me to say? AURORA I don't know, Cesar. Tell me my baby's father will have a job when she's born. Tell me anything. CESAR My SON will have a father he can be proud of. One who's dedicated to his students in class and out. AURORA You're a great help. CESAR (takes her hand) How about 'I love you.' AURORA Wonderful. That'll pay the bills. (CONTINUED) 59. CONTINUED: (2) 67 CESAR With you, I just can't win. AURORA You've already won me. That's the problem. She exits, flicking the light switch off, leaving Cesar sitting in the dark. CUT TO: INT. PARRILLA LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 68 Arriving home, PEDRO finds his FATHER laid out on the couch, an empty bottle at his side; he's smashed. The TV blares with "EMILIO ZARAGOZA and the News." Pedro picks up the bottle as his sleepy MOTHER enters and moves to pick up her husband. PEDRO I'll take him, 'ama. Pedro carries his father off to bed. CUT TO: INT. CLASS - DAY 69 CESAR shows his students SALT OF THE EARTH. The STUDENTS' eyes are fixed on the screen as they watch the story of striking Chicano mine-workers unfold. INTERCUT AMONG STUDENTS ON THE SCREEN we see the sequence of the moment the men respond to discriminatory practices in general, and a work- related accident in particular, with an on-the-job decision to stop work, walk-out and strike the company. As the wheels of production halt, the scene ends with a shot of women picketing on a nearby hill. CUT TO: EXT. LAGUNA PARK - DAY 70 On a grassy knoll, PEDRO, AUGGIE, DAVID, GLORIA, AND A FEW OTHERS huddle around SAL, like a team around its quarterback. SAL Orale. Aqui esta la onda. I've been talking to brothers and sisters from other schools: Belmont, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Garfield, Wilson; all the Chicano high schools. Everyone's talking about walking out and boycotting classes. (CONTINUED) 60. CONTINUED: 70 AUGGIE Madre! SAL You see when students don't show up, a school doesn't get as much money from the government. They get money when we're here, but not when we're absent. They can ignore letters and petitions, but they can't ignore students walking out of all the Chicano high schools. CUT TO: EXT. SILVIA'S APARTMENT/DOOR - LATE AFTERNOON 71 A red-eyed SILVIA opens the door to receive PEDRO. She's been crying. PEDRO (awkwardly) Aaaa---You didn't come to work, so I-- VICKY exits and jumps into his arms. VICKY Pedro! Pedro llevame al parque, no? SILVIA Pedro, take her for a while, please. VICKY Si, al parque. Al parque. PEDRO OK. OK. To the park. (To Silvia) Is something wrong? SILVIA Later. I just need to be alone right now. Thank you, Pedro. CUT TO: EXT. PARK - DUSK 72 MUSIC TRACK, THEE MIDNITERS' SAD GIRL comes over BRIEF SHOTS of PEDRO and VICKY: on the swings; down the slide; on the merry-go-round & eating cotton candy against the setting sun. INT. SILVIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 73 ANGLE ON SILVIA - Lying in bed, crying. (CONTINUED) 61. CONTINUED: 73 ANGLE ON DOOR - Still red-eyed, SILVIA opens her door to an awaiting PEDRO, with VICKY asleep in his arms. They enter. TIGHT ON PEDRO as he carries VICKY off to her bedroom. He glances at the mantle to notice: CLOSE ON MANTLE - VICKY's picture stands alone; the one of her G.I. father is missing. ANGLE ON VICKY - As PEDRO tucks her into bed and kisses her forehead. CLOSE ON SILVIA'S NIGHTSTAND - The missing picture frame lies face-up under the lamp. ANGLE ON PEDRO & SILVIA - He gently hugs her and the pain of losing a former loved one tightens in her throat, quivers on her lip and shuts her eyes. DISSOLVE TO: INT. TORRES BEDROOM - NIGHT 74 CESAR lies awake, pensive. He turns over, puts his arm around his WIFE's bulging belly and snuggles up. DISSOLVE TO: INT. SILVIA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 75 In bed, PEDRO & SILVIA sleep embraced. "SAD GIRL" Fades. CUT TO: INT. PARRILLA KITCHEN - MORNING 76 The FAMILY is having breakfast: SR. PARRILLA, ragged, hung- over, nursing a cup of coffee; YOLANDA, eating and reading the funnies; SRA. PARRILLA, spoons eggs on to a plate. Yolanda bursts into hysteric laughter, startling her father, who spills his coffee and burns himself. SR. PARRILLA Ay, muchacha! YOLANDA Sorry, papi. Freshly showered, PEDRO enters, kisses his mother and sits. PEDRO Buenos dias! What a nice morning! (CONTINUED) 62. CONTINUED: 76 YOLANDA Sure. And you don't want to miss it by having to sleep. PEDRO I slept. YOLANDA feigns a coughing spell. SRA. PARRILLA Pedro, I brought your father to bed at 5, and your room was empty. SR. PARRILLA Maybe you think I don't notice. Why do you come home so late almost every night? And don't tell me you go to the library to study with David, or Sal or Auggie! Those are good kids; their parents always know where they are. YOLANDA (choking) Madre mia, I'm going to die. (drinks) PEDRO (spitefully) OK. I stayed home last night 'til we finished your bottle. Or don't you remember? SRA. PARRILLA Pedro! YOLANDA Low blow. Looking good. SR. PARRILLA I don't want to get angry and I don't want to say it twice. Escuchame bien. You won't be 18 until the summer and if you decide to still live here, I will still tell you what to do...I don't know who this putita de Silvia is, and I don't care. On school nights I want you home by 9, and you don't see this, this Silvia, again. Entendido? PEDRO (stands) You don't even know her. You don't have the right! (CONTINUED) 63. CONTINUED: (2) 76 SR. PARRILLA (stands) I have the right. And I do it for your own good. PEDRO MY own good!? Why don't you do something for the good of this family? SR. PARRILLA I always do. What do you mean? PEDRO Like get a job! SRA. PARRILLA Pedro! Reaching slightly, the father sends the back of his hand across Pedro's face with a reverberating whack. Pedro falls, gets up and his father leaves the room. Pedro rubs an aching jaw as his mother rests her head in her hands. SRA. PARRILLA Ay, madre purisima! YOLANDA (wipes mouth) There are times IÕm glad IÕm a girl. (exits) PEDRO 'Ama, when are you going to tell him I'm working? SRA. PARRILLA Pronto, mijo. Muy pronto. CUT TO: INT. TORRES' LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 77 CESAR is up late correcting papers at the dining room table, when AURORA walks in sleepy-eyed, with bathrobe and belly. AURORA That's three nights this week you've spent correcting papers. CESAR What can I do? With the way things are going, I won't get an aide this year. (CONTINUED) 64. CONTINUED: 77 AURORA (finds chair) Then you can either not assign so much work, or not make so many waves. CESAR I haven't really done anything except informally advise the students. AURORA And you think the administration believes that? CESAR They can't prove anything. AURORA Not yet. CESAR I haven't taken a leadership role, really. I've allowed the students to act on their own ideas, to let their own leadership emerge. AURORA Sal has certainly seized the opportunity. CESAR He's developing quickly, isn't he? AURORA May be too quickly. Can you keep him in line? 'Cos whether you like it or not, you're being drawn into this thing way past your nalgotas. You stand more to lose than anyone. CESAR The students stand to lose. AURORA They'll get into another school more easily than we can find you another job. CESAR Tell me something I don't know. AURORA You can't sacrifice your family to change the world. CESAR IÕm not trying to change the world. Just (more) (CONTINUED) 65. CONTINUED: (2) 77 CESAR (Cont'd) a few Chicano lives. CUT TO: SUPER: MAY MONTAGE SEQUENCE EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH STREET - DAY 78 The BELL RINGS, school is out. Horn honks, 'Arriba-Arriba' and a wild devil-may-care cackle bring on the sounds of THEE MIDNITERS' "WHITTIER BLVD," bursting over shots of cruising cars full of girls; cars full of guys; guys extending invitations; girls accepting & cars exchanging passengers; couples; singles; street strollers; bouncing hydraulics, a little rubber peeling and a BA pressed against a back window. ANGLE ON a theater markee announcing "The Trip" & "Riot On The Strip." As Thee Midniters continue... CUT TO: INT. ROCKY'S (VARIOUS) - DAY (MOS) 79 ANGLE ON AUGGIE - He tries on a brown beret in a mirror. Satisfied that he looks good, he flashes a smile at SAL, who already wears one. ANGLE ON PEDRO - He reads a copy of La Raza, an independent community newspaper, that features a front-page headline: "Tijerina Fights for Return of New Mexico Land Grants." ANGLE ON GLORIA - She puts finishing touches on a flyer announcing a community forum at the Union Hall, May 1. She shows it to SAL & CESAR, who with OTHERS, nod their approval. ANGLE ON DAVID - He reads a copy of Inside Eastside, another independent community newspaper. It carries a headline announcing: "Chavez & UFW Look to ELA Barrios for Grape Boycott Support." ANGLE ON SILVIA - She brings a tray of drinks to the group. CUT TO: EXT. EAST LA/VARIOUS SHOTS - DAY (MOS) 80 STUDENTS LEAFLET stores, parked cars, street corners, rec centers and schools. PEOPLE read the flyers: SOME with interest and approval; OTHERS with neither. (CONTINUED) 66. CONTINUED: 80 ANGLE ON PEDRO & SILVIA - He hands a flyer to a SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, who reads it, crumbles it up, throws it in Pedro's face, takes the rest of the flyers and dumps them in a nearby trash can. Silvia objects and receives a hard push that quickly sits her on her butt. Grabbing Pedro as if he were a doll, the deputy throws him into the trash head first, legs kicking. Silvia helps Pedro tip out of the trash can. "WHITTIER BLVD" FADES. CUT TO: INT. UNION HALL - NIGHT 81 A COMMUNITY MEETING ensues, A CHICANO CLAP segues to the next speaker. The hall is packed with MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, GRANDPARENTS & STUDENTS in a highly-charged atmosphere. In the audience, PEDRO, AUGGIE, DAVID, and GLORIA together, SAL along the side. ANGLE ON SAL Sporting his beret, he comes to the podium clapping. SAL Chicano! CROWD Power! SAL Chicano! CROWD Power! SAL Que viva la raza! CROWD Que viva! The crowd quiets down. SAL Raza querida, hijos, hijas, nietos y nietas de revolucionarios, perhaps too few teachers really care about Chicano students and their educational problems because there are too few Chicano teachers. And the few that we do have, are tokens afraid to speak out for better education for all of us. (more) (CONTINUED) 67. CONTINUED: 81 SAL (Cont'd) But fortunately, Eastside High has one man who has helped us understand the problems and has given us hope to find solutions. Ladies and gentlemen, damas y caballeros, companeros y companeras, Cesar Torres! An applause emerges as Cesar assumes the podium, subsiding at his gestures to quiet down. INTERCUT FOR AUDIENCE REACTION as Cesar builds momentum. CESAR Sometimes, I wish I could just go to work, collect my pay, go home to my wife and wait for our new baby. Certainly, with the threats by the administration to fire me for sympathizing with the students, that remains an attractive option. But then I think about my baby, not only of the kind of world he or she will grow up in, but of the educational opportunities he or she will have. Or not have. Then I think about what Eastside High was like when I was a student,one thing has changed. We have opened our eyes. They say we drop out at a rate of 50%; we say they push us out at a rate of 50%! For the sake of our children, our brothers and sisters, I suggest with a clear conscience that at the Cinco de mayo assembly, Eastside High School students consider a massive walk out to protest the failure of our schools to serve and educate the Chicano, Mexicano community! Gracias. Furious applause and ecstatic shouts erupt as the crowd comes to its feet. Cesar and Sal exchange looks of surprise at the overwhelmingly positive reception to Cesar's speech. A chant emerges. Sal joins in. CROWD Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! ANGLE ON VP MOLINA - Almost unrecognizable in a shawl; a recorder operates in her bag. (CONTINUED) 68. CONTINUED: (2) 81 TIGHT SHOTS ON DAVID & GLORIA, SILVIA, AUGGIE & PEDRO. Overwhelmed, but applauding. PEDRO (V/O) We didnÕt know it then, but we had reached a point of no return. What had started as a simple letter, now seemed to have a life and fire of its own. CUT TO: INT. PRINCIPAL MORTON'S OFFICE - DAY 82 DAVID LOPEZ, ASB PRES, stands before MORTON and his VP, MOLINA, listening to a recording. The taped-up petition sits atop his desk. CROWD (V/O) Walk Out! Walk Out! Walk-- Morton stops the player, remaining silent for a moment. MORTON (intense) What's your role in this? DAVID (struggles) I'm---an observer, mostly. MORTON I found your name on this petition. (looking) You're number 369. I would guess that the drafters would be among the first, like Sal Razo, wouldn't you agree? DAVID I-I hadn't thought too much about it before. MORTON Could this walk out come to pass on the mere SUGGESTION by Mr. Torres? DAVID I-I don't know, sir. MORTON Well, know this, mister! This is no semester for you to be jacking around! Not if you have any thoughts about graduating. (more) (CONTINUED) 69. CONTINUED: 82 MORTON (Cont'd) Now, just because you jocks get elected on beauty votes, doesn't mean you can't be good for something. At the assembly I want you to condemn the walk outs. You've got time to prepare a few words. I'll even help you if you like. Additionally, find out what this MECHA is. This Movimiento estudiantil --- whatever. It's gotta be a front. I can't imagine what else. Get involved if you have to. Infiltrate. David stands wide-eyed, with his jaw ready to drop. MORTON (CONT'D) Well, don't just stand there! Go! Shell-shocked, David heads for the door. CUT TO: INT. OUTSIDE DOOR 83 Shutting the door behind him, DAVID regains his breath. CUT BACK TO: INT. MORTON'S OFFICE 84 MORTON and MOLINA. MORTON There's no reason not to suspend Salvador Razo. But I need more on Torres. CUT TO: MONTAGE SEQUENCE INT. MORTON'S OUTER OFFICE - DAY (MOS) 85 A version of VIOLETA PARRA'S "ME GUSTAN LOS ESTUDIANTES" runs over. ANGLE ON SAL - The SECRETARY instructs him to enter. He cocks his beret and does. NEW ANGLE - LATER Suspended, SAL exits Morton's Office minus a beret and very shaken. (CONTINUED) 70. CONTINUED: 85 Parra's "Me gustan los estudiantes" ends. CUT TO: INT. RUDYÕS SHACK - DAY 86 PEDRO peeps through the open door to find AUGGIE, SAL & DAVID sprawled around. PEDRO Y Rudy? AUGGIE His mom said he was getting ready. PEDRO When did he get back? He wasn't even gone that long. SAL Two days ago. She says he's been sleeping. Something about the time difference. PEDRO Give me the keys, David. DAVID Auggie has them. PEDRO Give me Rudy's keys, Auggie Doggie. SAL Este Auggie has been a bad doggie. DAVID The sucker's been a real dog, eh. AUGGIE Ya, chivos. I feel bad enough already with all the zurrada coming down. DAVID Rudy lucked out. He missed all this shit. AUGGIE Besides, Pedro's the one that's been playing Mr. Lover, but heÕs not talking! SAL Maniaco Auggie can only think of one thing. (CONTINUED) 71. CONTINUED: 86 DAVID She invites him to her apartment for dinner. SAL De aquellas! DAVID And they go to the drive-in. PEDRO With her 4-year-old! SAL So the little vato likes to play papi! AUGGIE That's worse than PW, ese! That's like marriage! PEDRO Estos gueyes! We're not even going around or anything. Besides why would she want to marry me? SAL Why not? You got some kind of disease? RUDY (at door) If you got VD, don't sweat it, bro. Penicillin didn't save my ass, but it saved my pee-pee. His duty in Vietnam prematurely over, RUDY has returned from the service, a battle-victim, paralyzed below the waist and confined to a wheelchair. Shocked shitless, the boys are hardly prepared for this. RUDY (CONTÕD) They just kept sending us out, and sending us out. They called us the Dog Squad. The browns and the blacks trying to snuf the yellows 'cos the whites say they're red. (beat) The dudes that weren't smoking their brains out, were shooting up. How can you tell the red-yellows from the yellow- yellows when everybody's hallucinating, man? (beat) When I heard the whistling, I just hit the ground. I woke up on the chopper, (more) (CONTINUED) 72. CONTINUED: (2) 86 RUDY (Cont'd) and I couldn't get up. CUT TO: INT. OFFICES/L.A. METROPOLITAN DAILY - DAY 87 CESAR TORRES receives instructions from a SECRETARY who directs him beyond a maze of desks occupied by NEWSWRITERS. Cesar makes his way across the room to a newswriter, BEN FLORES, 37, pecking away at his typewriter. CESAR Ben? FLORES (shakes hand) Cesar! How've you been? How long has it been? CESAR I've been hanging in there, and it's been about six years. FLORES The Viva Kennedy Club, huh? CESAR That was it. FLORES Did you get your credential? CESAR Yeah, I've been teaching about 4 years, now. FLORES You don't sound too excited about it. CESAR Well...Sometimes it's like trench warfare. FLORES The kids aren't really that bad, are they? CESAR Hell, the students are great. They're willing to learn. The problem is they know they're being cheated. They're getting restless. (CONTINUED) 73. CONTINUED: 87 FLORES Aren't they all? Look at the students in Paris. I've got cousins in Mexico City marching in the streets! I've never seen anything like it! CESAR I donÕt know if thereÕs a connection with the Mexican primos, but something is really happening to these students. There's a spirit in the air. A new attitude. A new pride! FLORES Would you call it Chicanismo? CESAR So you know what I'm talking about. FLORES My sister's kid is a senior at Garfield. He doesn't want to be called "Mexican- American." He says it's a sissy name for agabachados. He wants to be called a "Chicano." CESAR Probably drives his mother up the wall. FLORES His grandmother! CESAR Look, Ben. The reason I'm here. The students at Eastside High may walk out Friday, demanding a range of things: up- graded facilities, upgraded curriculum, bilingual-bicultural education and faculty, and, recognition of their organization, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, MECHA. FLORES These are radical times for Eastside High. CESAR The administration has tried to ignore them, hoping they'd go away. I know they'll react, but I don't know how far they'll go. They've suspended one of the key leaders already. FLORES Would they call in the police? (CONTINUED) 74. CONTINUED: (2) 87 CESAR I hope not. FLORES Then the media would descend like buzzards. CESAR Quoting only 'official sources' and making the students look bad, which is why we need you to provide some balanced reporting. FLORES If you only knew what token Latino reporters have to go through here. CESAR What do you mean? FLORES You know the editor makes the decisions on what gets covered. CESAR Right. FLORES If an anglo writer pitches a story on a Latino subject, the response is, 'Well OK, but don't take too much time on it, 'cos nobody's going to read it.' If I pitch a story, it's like 'How can you be objective if you're Latino? Let's have Joe Smith do it, or at least have him work with you. Then they expect me to live on peanuts and prestige. My salary's for the birds. CESAR But your by-line's for the people. FLORES (reflective) Look, I'll do what I can. CESAR Just be there at least. FLORES I'll be there. CESAR rises to leave. (CONTINUED) 75. CONTINUED: (3) 87 FLORES (CONT'D) Hey wait a minute! What will they do to you? CESAR Transfer me. Make it tough to get tenure. The usual. I don't think they'll bar me from the district, but I'm not giving'em too much rope to hang me. FLORES Play it cool. Cesar smiles. CUT TO: INT. RESTAURANT - EVE 88 With a cup of coffee, SILVIA takes her break at one of the tables. She puts a coin in the juke box slot and makes a selection. THE BLENDELL'S "LA,LA,LA,LA,LA." plays under as PEDRO clears a nearby table. SILVIA You haven't said five words to me in two hours. PEDRO (sits) It's been busy. SILVIA Not that busy. PEDRO I've been busy thinking. SILVIA Your brain must be tired by now. PEDRO I'm tired of worrying. SILVIA You've been worrying, too, ah? PEDRO The students will probably walk out Friday. SILVIA That's good! PEDRO Principal Morton thinks I'm one of the leaders---so I could get suspended. (CONTINUED) 76. CONTINUED: 88 SILVIA That's bad. PEDRO My friend, Rudy, came back from 'Nam in a wheelchair, paralyzed. SILVIA Madre santisima! PEDRO And my dad doesn't want me to see you anymore. SILVIA Oh. (beat) Does he think you can work with your eyes closed? PEDRO He doesn't know I'm working. SILVIA Ay, Parrilla. PEDRO What should I do? SILVIA Do like Oedipus and pluck your eyes out. PEDRO Eddie Pus? Sounds like an infection. SILVIA Some Greek mother. You'll probably run into him in college. PEDRO He'll run into me. If I pluck out my eyes, then I really wouldn't be able to see him OR you. SILVIA So, you keep your eyes. It makes driving easier. Now there's not much you can do about Rudy, but you still have to decide whether or not to walk out and get suspended. PEDRO What about you? (CONTINUED) 77. CONTINUED: (2) 88 SILVIA If I can get off work, I'll walk out; it sounds like fun. PEDRO I mean what about my seeing you? SILVIA That's a tough one. Pretend I'm a figment of your imagination. PEDRO And pretend I'm not in love with you? SILVIA Just don't tell me and don't put any- thing in writing. PEDRO But I've already told you. SILVIA I know. But I've already forgotten. So don't tell anybody else and you've got nothing to worry about. PEDRO I should tell Vicky? SILVIA Oh, you play dirty, canijo. PEDRO What do you mean dirty? SILVIA Ay, Parrilla! THE BLENDELL'S "LA,LA,LA,LA,LA." FADES. CUT TO: INT. PARRILLA HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 89 Newsreporter, EMILIO ZARAGOZA, and his SPANISH LANGUAGE TV NEWS blare on the set, illuminating a sleeping SR. PARRILLA, as PEDRO unexpectedly peeps through the window. ZARAGOZA (in Spanish) "...in another day of confrontation between students and Paris police, that ultimately threatens to close the university.... (CONTINUED) 78. CONTINUED: 89 Pedro enters carefully, kills off his dad's near-empty bottle of tequila & creeps off to bed. ZARAGOZA (CONT'D) Meanwhile, returning to the U.S., James Earl Ray, the accused assassin of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., continues to deny... CUT TO: INT. TV CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT 90 Standing behind a couple of TV TECHS, CESAR TORRES watches the broadcast on a monitor and through a window to the set where ZARAGOZA wraps up the broadcast. ZARAGOZA (CONT'D) ...any involvement in the assassination and no evidence has surfaced yet to support his allegations of being framed. That concludes this evening's edition, please join us next time. For Noticiero en Espanol, this is Emilio Zaragoza, muy buenas noches. Credits roll on a monitor to the newscast's CLOSING TUNE. Off- camera, Zaragoza unmikes himself, leaves the set and enters the Control Room. ZARAGOZA Sr. Torres, thank you for waiting. Are you bored or intrigued by the broadcasting process? CESAR I teach 30-40 students at a time. From here, you can reach thousands! ZARAGOZA Sr. Torres, the media is very powerful. Unfortunately, in this country its main function is to sell products to consumers, not to educate or inform. CUT TO: EXT. HILLTOP - NIGHT 91 ANGLE ON CAR RADIO OFF-SCREEN DAVID and GLORIA share the back seat of the Chevy and some heaving breathing, but not much of the view. A version of "LA BAMBA CHICANA" blasts from the radio. (CONTINUED) 79. CONTINUED: 91 SINGER (V/O) ...Para ganar la huelga, se necesita un poquito de boicot...Yo no sere vendido... GLORIA (OS) Turn it down a little, David. I've had enough. WE SEE a hand reach over the front seat to the radio and lower the volume. NEW ANGLE - Gloria combs her hair. GLORIA I want to talk. DAVID You want to talk? Now? About what? GLORIA Things. DAVID Like? GLORIA Like what would you do if I were pregnant? DAVID I would help you find the father. GLORIA Who's do you think it would be?! DAVID I don't know. Could be anybody's. GLORIA ANYBODY'S!? What kind of person do you think I am?! DAVID (seductively) Fine, esa. Pero muy fine. GLORIA Is that all you can say? DAVID You're nice. Pero MUY nice. GLORIA How about insulted and bored? (CONTINUED) 80. CONTINUED: (2) 91 DAVID Bored? We make out for 30 minutes straight and you're bored? GLORIA David, you have to learn to kiss and breathe at the same time. You're brain dead. DAVID Don't worry about me, Gloria. I can hold my breath for a pretty long time. Watch. (holds breath) GLORIA Do you know anybody that's better at conversation than sucking lips off? Come on, David, we've got a walk-out coming down and you and I donÕt talk about it. We never talk about anything really. We donÕt communicate! Thank God IÕm not pregnant. David exhales. CUT TO: EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH - DAY 92 CESAR TORRES and another teacher, MANUEL (MANNY) HERRERA, walk from the office to the campus. MANNY I'm not saying that there shouldn't be more of us teaching or that there shouldn't be bilingual education or bicultural studies. CESAR It could mean more support for your Spanish classes. MANNY That's true, but it's your tactics I can't support, Cesar. The students will learn more by staying in class than by walking out tomorrow. CESAR My tactics, nothing. The students make their own decisions. MANNY And I suppose you've had no influence? (CONTINUED) 81. CONTINUED: 92 CESAR You underestimate the students, Manny. MANNY There are some real radicals emerging, Cesar. I'm even hearing talk of some international conspiracy. CESAR Pura mierda. Don't believe it. MANNY One can never be too sure. CESAR Now you're sounding like Molina. MANNY I think Molina does the best job she knows how and I don't expect you to understand that. If I don't give you my whole-hearted support on this matter, it's because you don't know the system yet; you're still too wet behind the ears to be rocking the boat like you are. Things take time. You want change now! CESAR ItÕs only been about a hundred and twenty years. CUT TO: INT. TEACHERSÕ LOUNGE - DAY 93 CAMERA TRACKS around picking up bits and pieces of on-going FACULTY conversation between bites. TEACHER #1 Now how many of us have never passed a student along just because we didnÕt want him back again? CAMERA TRACKS ON. TEACHER #2 I donÕt understand this business of A.D.A. TEACHER #3 Student attendance generates money from the feds. (CONTINUED) 82. CONTINUED: 93 TEACHER #4 Average Daily Attendance pays your salary. TEACHER #5 No students, no class, no ADA, no job. CAMERA TRACKS ON. PRINCIPAL MORTON ThatÕs all we know. We donÕt know how many will walk out, if any. TEACHER #6 You canÕt tell me Torres isnÕt behind all this. Students donÕt do this on their own. TEACHER #7 God knows how hard I try. This is terrible. Such ingratitude. MRS. REDDICK Anyone who thinks we donÕt try our best, has never been there to see the dedicated job our counseling staff does. I donÕt understand how the students can write these things. CAMERA TRACKS ON. TEACHER #8 Chicano Studies? Why do they want to learn about that? ThatÕs not not going to help them. What is it anyway? TEACHER #9 All this boils down to having the students decide whatÕs important for them to learn. TEACHER #10 Are they going to do the teaching, too? TEACHER #11 Forget teaching. The moneyÕs in aerospace. CAMERA TRACKS ON. TAYLOR ...and when the cops stepped on campus, the tension was so thick you could cut... (CONTINUED) 83. CONTINUED: (2) 93 ANGLE ON DO0R The ROOM GOES SILENT, as CESAR TORRES and MANNY HERRERA walk in. Cesar looks around, turns and walks out. Manny stands alone feeling like heÕs conspired with the enemy. CUT TO: INT. ROCKY'S - EVE 94 MUSIC TRACK: RENE & RENE "LO MUCHO QUE TE QUIERO" plays softly on the juke box as PEDRO and his father share coffee at a table. Dressed neatly for a job interview, SR. PARRILLA enjoys the hot drink now that heÕs off the booze. SR. PARRILLA Three months. Que baboso. Was I drinking so much I couldn't see that you were working? Here I thought your mami was really stretching the unemployment checks. PEDRO I guess we thought you'd find a job soon. SR. PARRILLA I found where the jobs are at, but they won't give me one. PEDRO Why, Papa? SR. PARRILLA Ay, mijo. I'll be fifty next year and I didn't finish secundaria. They want young men with high school diplomas. Someday, they'll probably want college graduates, only. PEDRO I want to go to college, 'Apa. SR. PARRILLA How mijo? College costs money. PEDRO I'm finding out about financial aid for minorities. David and Sal are applying, too. SR. PARRILLA What do you want to study? (CONTINUED) 84. CONTINUED: 94 PEDRO I don't know. I just know that I have to go. I guess I want to feel educated, and if the Anglos can do it, I can do it. SILVIA comes by with a pot of coffee. SILVIA Mas cafe, senores? PEDRO 'Apa, this is Silvia. SR. PARRILLA Mucho gusto, Silvia. SILVIA Encantada y un placer. Will you be coming to the rally tomorrow, Sr. Parrilla? SR. PARRILLA Rally? SILVIA Tomorrow at Laguna Park after the students walk out. SR. PARRILLA The students are walking out? SILVIA Ay, Dios! SR. PARRILLA Pedro, are you walking out!? CUT TO: INT. TORRES LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 95 On the sofa, AURRORA knits her first baby bootie as CESAR leaves his paper correcting and approaches with a kiss. CESAR I'm not walking out with the students. AURORA, incredulous, canÕt help roll her eyes. CESAR (CONTÕD) They don't need me to show them the way to the park and I have to be there for the students that don't walk out. (CONTINUED) 85. CONTINUED: 95 AURORA Why are you changing your mind? CESAR Walking off the job is a lot different than boycotting a class. The students have to make the statement, not me. Besides, I need a job to support a wife and a-a, child. CUT TO: INT. RUDY'S BACKYARD SHACK - NIGHT 96 PEDRO enters, finding the guys sprawled around (DAVID, SAL, AUGGIE); RUDY in his chair. PEDRO I hope I'm not too late, you guys. AUGGIE Pedro would be late even if he only had to go to the bathroom. SAL It's just us now. We had representatives from Roosevelt, Garfield, Wilson, Lincoln, and Belmont. DAVID It looks like there'll be students walking from almost all the Chicano high schools around. PEDRO Chingale. This is getting so big! AUGGIE Could be over a thousand, huh? SAL Maybe more. AUGGIE We're going to have a party de aquellas, vatos! DAVID Everything's a party for Auggie Doggie. AUGGIE Simon! Getting out of school means party time. (CONTINUED) 86. CONTINUED: 96 DAVID ThatÕs because the only decision you ever have to make is which finger to put up which nostril. PEDRO It takes more than just fingers, eh. AUGGIE Orale, Pedro, el chingon! PEDRO And... I'm not walking out. SAL You're what? AUGGIE From chingon to coyon. SAL You little chicken shit. DAVID Hey, lighten up on the little dude. I know how he feels. SAL What are you turning chicken on me, too? AUGGIE Que party poopers, estos! DAVID I've got the principal coming down on my ass if I don't condemn the walk out and you guys if I do. PEDRO I decided I want to go to college, so I can't risk not graduating. AUGGIE You? College? DAVID Simon! Isn't this what it's all about? Our getting educated? SAL It's about educating ALL Chicanos. You think I'm in this just for myself! (CONTINUED) 87. CONTINUED: (2) 96 DAVID And I suppose YOU'RE going to get me into college! SAL Now tell it like it is. Are you guys with us or against us? DAVID Come on, Sal. It's not that simple, man. SAL It IS that simple, David! United we can make some changes! Divided we can't do jack! Don't you believe in the cause? AUGGIE Simon! La causa! DAVID You know I do! SAL What about you, Pedro? PEDRO Right now I don't know what to believe in, you guys. There's too much happening. The last few months, everybody's changed! Sometimes I think Sal's right. And othertimes I think it's just some power or glory trip! SAL This is what I get for putting my ass on the line and getting suspended, huh?! PEDRO All I know is that before this semester I never even thought about going to college! Now I don't want to screw up. What if they won't graduate us? Then what! AUGGIE The little dude is scared! PEDRO All right! So I'm scared! AUGGIE (clucks) Puck-puck-puck-puck-PUCK! (CONTINUED) 88. CONTINUED: (3) 96 DAVID So what if he's scared! I'm scared, too! SAL Me lleva! All I see now is my carnales wimping out! DAVID We're not wimping out! This is not a street fight or a game, ese! PEDRO I just don't know if walking out is the right thing to do. AUGGIE It's too late now! DAVID It's NOT too late! SAL It IS too late. This thing is bigger than all of us! It's a student movement! AUGGIE A Chicano Student Movement! SAL That's right! And you maricas can't stop it. Now I don't care if Pedro walks or not. What I want to know is: (to David) Are you going to turn vendido and condemn the walk out at the assembly tomorrow? DAVID I don't know. SAL Carajo! I can't even count on my friends! Sal storms out. Pedro and David have never felt more pressure. CUT TO: INT. HOMES OF CESAR & SAL (ON THE PHONE) - NIGHT 95 97 INTERCUT CESAR Morton isn't letting me address the students tomorrow. (CONTINUED) 89. CONTINUED: 97 SAL Chingale! What if pinche David condemns the walk-out? Who's going to lead them out? If I set foot on campus, Morton'll probably have me arrested. What am I going to do, Cesar? CESAR You've done all you can do, Sal. SAL What if nobody walks out? CESAR You know that's not going to happen. SAL You gotta lead them out, Cesar. CESAR We've been through this already, Sal. SAL You know a lot of students aren't walking 'cos you're not going out with us. CESAR That's enough, Sal. Look, our work is done. For the time being, anyway. Now we just wait and see how big a statement the Chicano students of East LA can make. CUT TO: MUSICAL MONTAGE SEQUENCE (MOS): VARIOUS - NIGHT The music of EL CHICANO'S "VIVA TIRADO" underscores the tension building in our characters, most of them having trouble sleeping the eve before the storm. INT. PARRILLA HOUSE / LIVING ROOM 98 PEDRO watches TV with his FAMILY: his SISTER on the floor, he and his PARENTS on the couch. Preoccupied, Pedro pays little attention to the tube; his mind is on something else, Silvia. INT. SILVIA'S APT / BEDROOM 99 SILVIA & VICKY - sleeping together. 90. INT. PARRILLA LIVING ROOM 100 PEDRO goes off to bed. INT. AUGGIE'S BEDROOM 101 AUGGIE sleeps like a baby. INT. SAL'S BEDROOM 102 In bed, SAL reads John Womack Jr.'s ZAPATA AND THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION. He puts it down to reflect momentarily. INT. DAVID'S BEDROOM 103 Wide awake, DAVID stares at the ceiling, lost in thought. CUT TO: INT. TORRES BEDROOM 104 Restless, CESAR rises from his bed and sleeping wife, crossing to the baby crib, all prepared for the new arrival. He runs his hand across the mattress and a toy strung from rail to rail. He's feeling the anticipation of fatherhood and the uncertainty of the next day. INT. RUDY'S SHACK 105 RUDY sits in his wheelchair, teary-eyed, staring out the door, holding his guitar. He's been crying, but he's showing strength. INT. PEDRO'S ROOM 106 PEDRO picks up the phone to call Silvia; he hesitates, then hangs up. END OF MONTAGE SEQUENCE & EL CHICANO'S "VIVA TIRADO." CUT TO: INT. EASTSIDE HIGH AUDITORIUM - DAY 107 In a packed auditorium, bored STUDENTS sit through the highlight of the school's Cinco de mayo celebration: VP MOLINA's ethnographic slide presentation and patronizing commentary of her vacation in Mexican provinces. Molina "lectures" from the podium on stage. PEDRO, GLORIA & AUGGIE sit among the students. EXT. IN FRONT OF SCHOOL - DAY 108 SAL checks his watch and RUDY runs some licks on his guitar. 91. INT. AUDITORIUM 109 ON THE SCREEN we see shots of small town plaza: a CHURCH, GOVERNMENT PALACE, MARKET PLACE, STORES AND SHOPS, and a BANDSTAND. MOLINA (V/O) ... a church at one end, the government offices in a palace at the other, a mercado, stores and shops along the sides, were typical of all the little pueblos we saw. And of course, a band- stand in the middle, where on Sunday afternoons the boys meet the girls. The LIGHTS go on, waking up the sleepy heads. MOLINA (CONT'D) I know if I were a young girl growing up in a small pueblo like the one my grandparents did, I would want to be (MORE) MOLINA (CONT'D) courted in the plaza with all the music and romance of ol' Mexico. It's no wonder that they live just like they have for 1 or 2 hundred years. Village life is so stable and just so romantic. Thank you. That concludes my presentation. A RASBERRY is heard over the WEAK APPLAUSE. PRINCIPAL MORTON approaches the podium with a proud grin, clapping with conviction. MORTON Thank you, Vice Principal Molina for a lovely presentation. It was simply heart- warming and inspirational. VOICES IN AUDIENCE It sucked! Que mamada! Puro pedo! Pinche pochada! Molina looks a little shaken. MORTON (to Molina) Don't let it bother you, dear. There are always the smart-ass malcontents. On the verge of tears, Molina leaves the stage. MORTON (CONT'D) Now I know you're all expecting to hear from Mr. Torres, but we're running over time and--- (CONTINUED) 92. CONTINUED: 109 AUDIENCE (resoundingly) Booooooooo!!! MORTON (louder) ---But Mr. Torres is not.... AUDIENCE (louder) Booooooooooooooo!!!! We want Cesar!!! We want Cesar!!! We want Cesar!!! A little flustered, but not intimated, Morton steps to the wings where David Lopez, ASB President, watches, as the student body continues calling for Cesar. MORTON (to David) I want you to get out there and quiet them down! Maybe they'll listen to you. DAVID What am I supposed to say? MORTON I don't know. Anything. Tell 'em this assembly is over and they can go to their next class! With his arms raised, David walks across stage to the podium. The crowd immediately quiets down. DAVID (in mike) I have an announcement to make. STUDENT #1 Where's Cesar?! DAVID I don't know. STUDENT #2 No seas vendido, David! DAVID Principal Morton says the assembly is now over. You can now go to your next class. AUDIENCE Booooo! We want Cesar! STUDENT #3 We get Cesar or we walk out now! (CONTINUED) 93. CONTINUED: (2) 109 DAVID Wait! Wait a minute! SEVERAL Vendido! Traitor! Traidor! David looks helplessly at Morton, who comes back on stage and takes the mike. MORTON This assembly is now over. You may go on to your next class. AUDIENCE Boooooo! Where's Cesar? MORTON Mr. Torres is unavailable at this time and the assembly is over. Will someone ring the bell? GLORIA Why won't you discuss our demands?! MORTON This is not the time or place for the discussion of anything. SEVERAL Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! MORTON Let's have some order! There'll be no walk out! That'll only get you into trouble. The best thing you can do is just go on to your next class. Right, David? David hesitates. MORTON (CONT'D) (aside) David! Tell them the most destructive thing they can do to their educational careers is to walk out! David quiets the few walk-out chanters with the raise of an arm. DAVID My fellow students, you know the issues, you know the demands, you know what the response has been so far. All I can say,...is to exercise your consciences. (CONTINUED) 94. CONTINUED: (3) 109 SEVERAL All right, David! Bravo. Que huevotes! Walk out! Walk out! Walk out! AUGGIE & FEW STUDENTS rise, clapping hands and chanting. Morton shoves David aside, knocking him down. MORTON (shouts) Anybody that walks out will be suspended! STUDENT #3 You can't suspend all of us, bofo principal! With that MORE STUDENTS rise, clapping hands, and starting to walk. Then more. And more. PEDRO watches, scared. MORTON I hereby order all of you to your classes imme--- A STUDENT pulls the plug from the podium to the floor, disconnecting the PA, and cutting Morton off. Morton scrambles off stage as David watches the developments in amazement. As MOST OF THE STUDENTS are walking out the door, clapping and chanting, PEDRO, then DAVID, finally follow. The BELL RINGS. CUT TO: EXT. SCHOOL GROUNDS/GATE - DAY 110 MORTON tries blocking the gate to the street. MORTON Go back! Go to your classes! The mob pushes him aside; he spots SAL wheeling guitar-toting RUDY along the sidewalk clapping and encouraging students. MORTON Outside agitators! CUT TO: INT. CESAR'S CLASSROOM - DAY 111 MORTON rushes in to find CESAR flinging darts at a target with a picture of Gov. Reagan and his top aide, Bonzo. MORTON Torres! Torres! You've got to stop'em! (CONTINUED) 95. CONTINUED: 111 CESAR Stop who? Stop how? MORTON The students! They're walking out! CESAR Oh, yeah? Cesar goes to the window. CESAR (CONT'D) Well, what do you know about that? MORTON You're the only one that can stop'em! CESAR Me? I'm afraid they're walking out 'cause of you, not me. MORTON Now's not the time for it, Torres. CESAR No, it never is. A chant, "We want Cesar" precedes AUGGIE and a GROUP OF STUDENTS, who storm into the room. AUGGIE Let's go Cesar! MORTON Torres, if you walk, don't come back. It's not a threat; it's a promise! CESAR Sorry, guys. I can't walk out. AUGGIE A la chingada! The students pick up Cesar, load him on their shoulders and make for the door. MORTON Torres!! CESAR (helplessly) I'm not walking out! (CONTINUED) 96. CONTINUED: (2) 111 MORTON You're on your way out of this institution, mister! CESAR I guess that makes two of us, Mr. Morton! STUDENTS All right!!! Vamonos! Morton is left standing in an empty classroom. CUT TO: EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH STREET - DAY 112 STUDENTS SWARM out of Eastside High, clapping, shouting. From the sidelines, PEDRO and DAVID watch, still uninvolved. STUDENTS Education! Not discrimination! Educa- tion! Not discrimination! Education!... Suddenly David erupts clapping and shouting. DAVID BILINGUAL Education! Not discrimination! BILINGUAL Education! Not discrimination! Clearly, more students are walking than anyone ever anticipated. David gives Pedro a big smile and a nod. No longer afraid, Pedro enthusiastically joins in. The two make for the head of the line, where SAL, RUDY, AUGGIE and CESAR are coming together. With Cesar still riding atop shoulders, the group marches off. ANGLE ON RUDY W/GUITAR - He breaks into a rendition of "YO SOY CHICANO." RUDY Yo soy Chicano, y tengo color. Mexicano de puro honor. ANGLE ON SCHOOL BLDG - Teachers look out their windows. RUDY (CONT'D) (V/O) Cuando me dicen que hay revolucion defiendo a mi raza con mucho valor... FULL SHOT - THE SCENE CUT TO: 97. INT. PRINCIPAL MORTON'S OFFICE - DAY 113 A disheveled MORTON talks to police on the phone. MORTON What do you mean you can't do anything!? We've got truancy laws! (beat) I don't care what's happening at Lincoln! MOLINA rushes in; Morton gestures her to wait. MORTON (CONT'D) ...Garfield? Roosevelt? Wilson? Belmont? (pause) Ten thousand!? Get-get bigger jails!!! (pause) What do you mean don't call you, you'll call me?! Now listen here! I --- I -- (pause) He hung up! MOLINA Some of the teachers want to know if they can go home. All but 15 students have walked out. MORTON (in schock) Ten thousand East LA high school students are walking out. MOLINA Oh, my God. She blesses herself. Morton sighs deeply. MORTON There goes our ADA. CUT TO: INT. RESTAURANT/KITCHEN - DAY 114 PEDRO bursts through the back door and into the kitchen, where a BUSBOY handles dirty dishes and SILVIA picks up an order. PEDRO (breathless) Silvia! SILVIA Pedro! PEDRO I walked out! (CONTINUED) 98. CONTINUED: 114 SILVIA Looks more like you ran. PEDRO I did, but I walked out first! SILVIA Good! How many walked? PEDRO Everybody I think! SILVIA Everybody?! PEDRO Almost. You should've seen it! Everybody's marching down the boulevard to the park. Do you want to come? SILVIA I can't right now, Pedro. But I'll try to get over there a little later. PEDRO Si, no? SILVIA Si. Right now we're a little busy and Rocky won't be back for an hour. PEDRO Will you marry me, too? SILVIA What?! PEDRO Will you marry me? I love you, you know. SILVIA I know. PEDRO And I know you love me. SILVIA (amused) You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you? PEDRO No. But will you marry me anyway? (CONTINUED) 99. CONTINUED: (2) 114 SILVIA Well, not now! I've got to work and you've got to go to the rally. Maybe later. PEDRO Maybe later? SILVIA Maybe later. PEDRO Are you sure? SILVIA No. I'm not sure. How am I supposed to be sure?! PEDRO I don't know. SILVIA Well, neither do I. So get out of here a go to the pinche rally! PEDRO Are you angry? SILVIA No!!! I'm not angry!!! PEDRO OK, so I'll see you later? SILVIA OK! I'll see you later!!! PEDRO Bye. SILVIA BYE!!!!!! Pedro runs out. TIGHT ON BUSBOY - Rinses dishes; shakes his head. BUSBOY Tocadiscos, hombre! CUT TO: MUSIC TRACK: YO SOY CHICANO, resumes. 100. EXT. WHITTIER BLVD - DAY 115 INTERCUT "SEAMLESSLY" FROM REQUIEM 29 (and other stock footage): THOUSANDS of young Chicanos, including Brown Berets, march down the Blvd, many with raised fists, giving power salutes and yells. Picket signs read: "Brown is Beautiful," "Unidos estamos." RUDY V/O (CONT'D) Tengo todita mi gente, para la revolucion. Voy a luchar con los pobres, Pa' que se acabe el borlon. An array of various picket signs and banners read: "Bilingual Education, Not Discrimination," "Stop Killing Chicanos in Vietnam," "End Police Brutality and Gestapo Tactics," "Organizense Raza," "Chicano Power," "Bajo con la guerra vietnamita," "End Cultural Genocide in Our Schools," "La Raza Unida Jamas Sera Vencida," "El Pueblo Vencera"... RUDY V/O (CONT'D) Tengo mi par de caballos, para la revolucion. Uno se llama canario, Otro se llama gorrion. INTERCUT FROM REQUEIM 29: WIDE SHOT OF LAGUNA PARK - Packed. RUDY V/O (CONT'D) Tengo mi orgullo, tengo mi fe. Soy diferente, soy color cafe. Tengo cultura, tengo corazon, Y no me lo quita ningun cabron. FROM R-29: ANGLE ON FOLCLORICAS - Dancing. FROM R-29: CLOSE UPS - Young Chicano faces. CUT TO: EXT. STREET - DAY 116 AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWSREPORTER interviews CESAR. CESAR This is hardly a simple class-ditching exercise. These are students that gen- uinely feel their schools can do a better job of educating them. REPORTER And what has been the response of the school board and administration thusfar? CESAR Instead of opening a dialog, they've chosen to ignore the students. (CONTINUED) 101. CONTINUED: 116 REPORTER How will they respond now? CESAR Hopefully, this peaceful demonstration will encourage them to listen and move toward resolving the problems. CUT TO: EXT. PARK/STAGE - DAY 117 A placard indentifies a group on stage: EL TEATRO CHINGONCITO performing "EL PICKET SIGN." SINGERS El picket sign, el picket sign, Lo llevo por todo el dia. El picket sign, el picket sign, conmigo toda la vida. ANGLE ON OUR GROUP AURORA TORRES sits on a blanket in front of the stage, surrounded by PEDRO, DAVID, GLORIA, SAL & AUGGIE. Gloria curiously rubs Aurora's belly, as the guys engage in some elaborate "Chicano" handshakes. SINGERS (V/O) Que vivan los estudiantes todos los que son Chicanos, ellos son la sal hermanos. El picket sign, el picket sign, lo llevo por todo el dia... ANGLE ON BLANCA - She spots Pedro and turns her nose up, prefering to concentrate on the music. ANGLE ON PEDRO - Spots Blanca; he looks a little embarrased. CUT TO: EXT. STREET - DAY 118 REPORTER One last question, Mr. Torres. There are unconfirmed reports that this is an international conspiracy directed by Moscow via Mexico. CESAR Bullcaca. REPORTER Pardon me? (CONTINUED) 102. CONTINUED: 118 CESAR Do you see any Russians around? REPORTER No, but I do see a lot of Mexicans. CESAR (amused) There have been Mexicans around here long before any of your ancesters started showing up. And you have no idea of the trouble we've been having ever since. CUT TO: EXT. STAGE - DAY 119 As MC, SAL introduces RUDY on stage. SAL I don't have to remind anybody that a disproportionate number of Chicanos are dying in Southeast Asia. Our next speaker is a carnal who's lived on my block since we were little escuincles. He's lucky to be back, and we're lucky to have him say a few words to us. Un aplauso muy grande para nuestro companero, Rudy Marin! Rudy rolls himself forward, as Sal lowers the mike. ANGLE ON OUR GROUP - Applauding. ANGLE ON BLANCA - Suddenly interested. CUT TO: INT. SILVER DOLLAR BAR 120 CESAR greets Chicano reporters, FLORES & ZARAGOZA at the bar. CESAR I hope I didn't keep you guys waiting too long. FLORES No, we were just talking shop. CESAR I was being interviewed by this tapado gringo reporter. FLORES Aren't all reporters? (CONTINUED) 103. CONTINUED: 120 ZARAGOZA Que? Tapado o gringo? CESAR Present company excluded, both. CUT TO: EXT. STAGE/PARK - DAY 121 RUDY ...but I don't hate nobody no more. Eventhough my Chicano brothers are dying over there, I know things are going to be different. Mi raza is coming together; we're looking out for each other now. TIGHT ON BLANCA - Moved to tears. CUT TO: INT. SILVER DOLLAR BAR 122 CESAR shares a beer with his reporter friends, FLORES & ZARAGOZA. CESAR It's in the questions they ask, and the conclusions they draw. Frankly, they could care less. FLORES They see the readership or audience only as White anglo saxon protestant, and they reinforce all the pre-existing assumptions and misperceptions they have about us. ZARAGOZA Efectivamente. The English language media cannot objectively cover issues and events relating to Latinos, at least not without more Latino reporters. FLORES Tell that to my editor. ZARAGOZA Cuando quieras. CUT TO: EXT. EASTSIDE HIGH STREET - DAY 123 The ENGLISH LANGUAGE REPORTER interviews Eastside High Principal, MORTON. (CONTINUED) 104. CONTINUED: 123 MORTON Dialog?! You can't expect them to understand the complexities of the educational process. They're being manipulated. REPORTER So what's to be done? MORTON If our law enforcement officials had any guts, they'd come in a put a stop to this outrageous insurrection. REPORTER But it's a peaceful demonstration. CUT TO: INT. SILVER DOLLAR BAR 124 CESAR guzzles his drink and gets up to leave. CESAR It's time for me to get over to the rally. I don't want to miss Corky Gonzalez, and I want to check on my wife. With a baby in her panza she doesn't get around too easily. ZARAGOZA We'll be over there en un tantito. FLORES I don't want to miss Corky either, but I can't put away beer like that. CESAR Well, we'll see you guys in a few minutes, then. Cesar pats their shoulders and walks off. CUT TO: EXT. STAGE - DAY 125 A banner identifies the group on stage: EL TEATRO CHINGONSOTE performing a corrido: "DESDE MEXICO HE VENIDO" PERFORMERS ...En tiempo que hay eleccion es puro 'alo' y 'hay mai fren,' ay, navaja, no te (more) (CONTINUED) 105. CONTINUED: 125 PERFORMERS (Cont'd) amelles! Ya viene llegando el tren... CUT TO: INTERCUT FROM R-29: SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES cross the street in front of a market. Others in the park move into position. PERFORMERS (V/O) ...Ya pasada la eleccion, ya no hay mas 'alo' y 'hay mai fren.' Pongan cuidado, senores, que ese tiempo se acabo. DEPUTIES RUSH FLEEING CHICANOS. ANGLE ON OUR GROUP NEAR THE STAGE CESAR returns to find his WIFE, PEDRO, AUGGIE, DAVID & GLORIA enjoying the entertainment. AURORA So you decided to come back to me. What was her name? CESAR Chamba. Jale. GLORIA She almost sounds African. DAVID Well, black is beautiful, too, no? AURORA (to Cesar) But not black and blue, like when I get through with you. Shouts and screams come from behind them. Cesar cranes to see. CESAR What the hell? >From on stage, SAL yells. SAL Ooo-que-la--! There just had to be a fight. AUGGIE Orale pues! Chingasos!! PEDRO Who?! Who's fighting!! (CONTINUED) 106. CONTINUED: (2) 125 AUGGIE (pats fist) Who cares! Les damos en la madre! CUT TO: MUSIC TRACK: The pounding percussion and whailing guitar in SANTANA'S JINGO underscore the pain and punishment of the ensuing sequence, a stylized blend of stock and directed footage. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29 - A sheriff's deputy blindsides a man with a club to the head . ANGLE ON DAVID & GLORIA - David tries to protect his head with one arm and Gloria with another. A DEPUTY'S CLUB bashes his arm and sends him to the ground. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29 - FOUR DEPUTIES carry off a MAN. ANGLES ON CESAR & SAL - They are carried off by a team of EIGHT DEPUTIES. ANGLE ON PEDRO & AURORA TORRES - Pedro restrains Cesar's frantic wife. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29 - A tear gas cannister lands in the middle of a group; a youth throws it back. ANGLE ON STAGE - RUDY rolls off stage, falling out of his chair. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29: A DEPUTY beats a YOUTH, on the ground kicking in self-defense. ANGLE ON AUGGIE - A whack from a DEPUTY'S billy club leaves him on the ground. ANGLE ON PEDRO & AURORA TORRES - She's gone into labor; Pedro helps find refuge under the stage, behind the skirts. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29 - After she throws a bottle, a DEPUTY blindsides A WOMAN, brutally hitting her in the back of the head and in the ribs; then facing a barrage of rocks and bottles, he charges forward. ANGLE ON BLANCA & RUDY - Tenderly helping Rudy off the ground, she gets whacked by a PASSING DEPUTY. UNDER THE STAGE - AURORA TORRES starts an anguishing delivery; we can read her husband's ANGLE ON PADDY WAGON - DEPUTIES take some pleasure in roughing up CESAR and SAL. (CONTINUED) 107. CONTINUED: (3) 125 ANGLE ON RUDY & BLANCA - Recovering and showing mutual concern. UNDER THE STAGE - PEDRO delivers the TORRES' BABY; he places the baby wrapped in his shirt in AURORA's arms. ANOTHER ANGLE ON PEDRO - He sticks his head out, from behind the stage skirts. Ducking a swipe by the first passing DEPUTY with a club, Pedro turns, looks the other way not seeing a SECOND DEPUTY, who passes, leaving Pedro knocked out cold from a brutal macanazo. INTERCUT REQUIEM 29 - Swarming and clearing out the park the DEPUTIES continue to beat and drag away resentful and resisting CHICANOS. CUT TO: EXT. SILVER DOLLAR BAR - DAY (FREEZE FRAME/STOCK STILL) 126 A DEPUTY stands in front of the Silver Dollar pointing a tear- gas rifle into the saloon. INT. SILVER DOLLAR BAR 127 Ready to leave, ZARAGOZA and FLORES stand up and down their beers. SFX: The deafening blast from the deputy's rifle reverberates, ending JINGO. CUT TO BLACK. FADE IN: INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 128 SILVIA stands by PEDRO'S bed, as the TV SOFTLY BROADCASTS news in English. An unconscious PEDRO breathes deeply, his head bandaged. NEWSCASTER ...Several community organizations have demanded an investigation into the actions of the County Sheriff's Department that left two Mexican-American journalists dead and a mile of destruction along East Los Angeles' Whittier Blvd, two days ago. (beat) While community spokespersons decry the Department's actions as unprovoked, excessive and racially motivated, official sources maintain that the (MORE) (CONTINUED) 108. CONTINUED: 128 NEWSCASTER (CONTÕD) Department acted appropriately and justifiably to disperse rock and bottle throwing demonstrators before they could do damage to public property or loot local businesses... Pedro comes to. PEDRO (groggy) The baby!...What happened? Is the baby OK? Where am I? How did I get here? SILVIA You're in the hospital. You were hit in the head. And you didn't have a baby. PEDRO No baby? SILVIA I found you sleeping under the stage at Laguna Park like a wino. She takes a letter from the dresser. SILVIA Here. Your mother left this for you a little while ago. PEDRO My mother? SILVIA Yes, your mother! You must have been hit pretty hard! No baby, but you do have a mother. PEDRO (opens letter) It's all blurry. SILVIA Here, let me. (reads) A caray! PEDRO Que? SILVIA Contingent upon your graduation, you've been accepted to LA State! PEDRO Chingao! I never thought I'd! --- I gotta graduate, huh? (CONTINUED) 109. CONTINUED: (2) 128 SILVIA You still might. I don't think Eastside High wants you for another year. PEDRO Did we get married yet? SILVIA No. You decided to have the baby first. PEDRO Oh. Well, shouldn't we get married, then? SILVIA After. PEDRO After? After the next baby? SILVIA After your graduation. PEDRO After graduation! SILVIA From college. PEDRO Oh. CUT TO: INT. ANOTHER HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 129 In bed with the baby at her side, AURORA reads EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO, a local independent newspaper, with the headline: ELA COMMUNITY DENOUNCES RACIST ATTACK AND MURDER OF FLORES & ZARAGOZA;" and a subheadline: "TORRES AND 13 STUDENTS FACE CONSPIRACY CHARGES IN ELA WALK-OUTS." A still of the Deputy shooting into the Silver Dollar Bar is displayed front and center. With flowers in hand, CESAR pokes his head through the door, enters and approaches his wife's bed. AURORA Mira, mijita. Tu papi, the jailbird. CESAR (taking baby) Que linda! AURORA They're charging you with conspiracy. Do they have a case? (CONTINUED) 110. CONTINUED: 129 CESAR It depends on how much they have to make up. I don't know why the hell the cops had to be there. We weren't hurting anyone. AURORA They said in the paper that someone threw a rock or a bottle at them. CESAR And that started the whole thing? AURORA You know how they treat us. CESAR Something has to be done about the deputy that shot Ben and Emilio. AURORA It won't happen, Cesar. CESAR But these are journalists! Educated professionals! AURORA Pero son Mexicanos. CESAR I know....I'm suspended till June. Then they'll decide what to do with me. AURORA Ay, Cesar. It's a good thing I have the savings. CESAR (kisses her) Can you believe some teachers say they're hurt 'cause they've tried so hard to do a good job. AURORA Poor babies. Did the cops bust their heads, too? CESAR They'd be screaming bloody murder. AURORA Over 10 thousand students, and their families. I still can't believe it happened. (CONTINUED) 111. CONTINUED: (2) 129 CESAR We've got pictures and film. They won't be able to write this one out of the history books....We have to name this hermosura. AURORA She has a name. Adelita. Because she was born into the revolution. CESAR Not bad. I have a middle name for her. AURORA Oh, no. Well, at least she's not a boy. That saves her from Cuauhtemoc or Moctezuma. CESAR Tonantzin. AURORA Ay, Dios. Sounds like a pain reliever. CUT TO: SUPER: JUNE EXT. MAN ON THE STREET - DAY 130 He reads the DAILY METROPOLITAN with the headline: "District to Consider Proposals for Bilingual-Bicultural Education; Teacher Reassigned For Fall; Authorities Prepare for ELA Graduation Disturbances." EXT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM STEPS - DAY 131 ANGLE ON DOORS - Bursting open with a flow of CAPPED & GOWNED GRADUATES. ANGLE ON PEDRO - His hand is taken and pulled by VICKY toward SILVIA. VICKY Andale, Pedro PEDRO David! ANGLE ON DAVID & GLORIA - He pulls her along with his casted arm. DAVID Come on. (CONTINUED) 112. CONTINUED: 131 ANGLE ON PEDRO'S FAMILY Pedro's MOTHER, SISTER, FATHER w/camera, waiting. SAL & AUGGIE stand off to the side. ANGLE ON SAL & AUGGIE SAL That's just the beginning! The Plan de Aztlan will lay out a program of action to deal with all those issues! Especially when cops get away with beating up women and children and blowing away journalists. AUGGIE How can you talk about going to this chingon Southwest Chicano student conference, when you won't even be a student? SAL If I make up my fifteen credits and get into the university next year, what does that make me? AUGGIE A year behind David. SAL Chale, a year to do some organizing and heavy-duty reading, brother! Then we'll see who's behind! AUGGIE And what if we get convicted of conspiracy charges and we go to jail? SAL O.K., so I don't go to the conference. ANGLE ON RUDY & BLANCA - She holds the door open and awkwardly helps him out. ANGLE ON GROUP - PEDRO arrives with SILVIA, VICKY, DAVID & GLORIA right behind. DAVID Hey, you guys! Guess what! Gloria's going with me in September! GLORIA He's not the only one who got admitted to the University of Aztlan, but he thinks I'm going with him. (CONTINUED) 113. CONTINUED: (2) 131 YOLANDA Aztlan? DAVID You know! The home of the Aztecs before they went chasing the eagle and the snake. PEDRO It's now the Southwest U.S. YOLANDA Are the guys any good there? DAVID Well, I'm going. What does that tell you, chulita? YOLANDA Maybe Gloria can do better. DAVID What do you know, mocosa? Besides boys can mess up your studies, right Gloria? GLORIA Then your head, your body and your life! AUGGIE Cold blooded! That was from the North Pole, sister! ANGLE ON BLANCA - Looking disheveled and ragged as she hustles bringing RUDY over to the GROUP. RUDY OK, raza! I'm here. I even brushed my teeth because I'm going to smile, eh. NEW ANGLE - THE GROUP SAL Wait a minute! There's Cesar! ANGLE ON CESAR AND MANNY They embrace; theyÕve reconciled. Sal grabs CESAR and pulls him over to the group. DAVID Hey, man. What's the news? CESAR The talk is Chicano teachers, Chicano studies, and the district is listening. (CONTINUED) 114. CONTINUED: (3) 131 PEDRO Where are they sending you, Cesar? CESAR The Valley. Monroe High. PEDRO IsnÕt Monroe the one...? CESAR HeÕs the one. You win some, you lose some. PEDRO We haven't lost! These are new beginnings. La lucha continua. Cesar smiles and extends his hand to a developing and now former pupil. NEW ANGLE PEDRO (V/O) I couldnÕt believe IÕd said that to him. But after all that had happened, we were all somehow different, stronger, unafraid. PEDRO (CONT'D) OK, you guys. Let's get together. 'Apa, are you ready? PEDRO (V/O) Like I said when we started, this is a story with an ending like a beginning. Maybe itÕs like some continuing saga that wonÕt end because there are so many ways to wage our struggles. Pedro & the GROUP, SR. PARRILLA & OTHER PARENTS approach the street to position themselves to take a group shot as SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES in riot gear assemble across the street. A tense SILENCE comes over STUDENTS AND FAMILIES on one side of the street facing menacing deputies on the other. Suddenly, a hand removes Auggie's GRADUATION CAP and launches it across the street, striking a deputy squarely in the chest. The sides face each other momentarily until the crowd backs away, expecting an attack. AUGGIE breaks from the crowd, crosses the street, cautiously picks up the cap, places it on his head and backs away. Slowly rejoining the group, he ceremoniously moves the tassle from one side to the other. SR. PARRILLA steps in front of the group to set up his shot and (CONTINUED) 115. CONTINUED: (4) 131 WE SEE THE GROUP framed through the lens of a HANDHELD CAMERA. AUGGIE (un grito) Ayyyyyyyyyy! Ay! Ay! Ay! Ayyy! Auggie raises both arms, Sal gives a power salute, David raises his cast, while Pedro and Cesar give peace signs. Rudy bears his teeth and Blanca straightens up. The SHUTTER CLICKS and we DISSOLVE TO: The resulting IMAGE of the GROUP supered over a stylized MONTAGE of STUDENTS & FAMILIES in orderly dispersement with the DEPUTIES never moving. A rousing version of "EL CORRIDO DE AZTLAN" erupts: SINGER (V/O) De los files a los campos, De los barrios a los pueblos, Donde quiera que haya raza, Declaramos nuestro plan. Nuestra gente es la raza, Y nuestro pueblo es Aztlan Ay, ay, ay, ay. Al grito de guerra. A liberar a nuestra gente Y hasta morir por nuestras tierras.... SUPER: After one year, conspiracy charges were dropped against Cesar and the students for lack of evidence. An investigation led to no action taken against the deputy that fired the deadly teargas projectile into the Silver Dollar Bar. As the images of the dispersing STUDENTS & FAMILIES fade, leaving the GROUP SHOT, the CAMERA PANS the following principals and their SUPERIMPOSED biographical info: PEDRO PARRILLA Newspaper Reporter DAVID LOPEZ Legal Aid Attorney SAL RAZO Ph.D., Professor of Political Science RUDY MARIN Handicapped Therapist/ Special Ed Teacher AUGGIE CAZARES High School Spanish /Adult ESL Teacher / Girls Softball Coach GLORIA RIVERA Broadcast Journalist (CONTINUED) 116. CONTINUED: (5) 131 SILVIA SEVILLA After her graduation she started a pre- school, became a children's rights activists and married Pedro after his college graduation. CESAR TORRES Ph.D., Historiographer The energy and heighten consciousness of Chicanos in the late 60's and early 70's led to unprecedented achievements in bilingual-bicultural education and faculty development through the late 70's. Unfortunately in the 1990's, due to a decade of budget cutting and program dismantling, drop-out rates as high as 40- 50%, overcrowding, deteriorating buildings and few bilingual-bicultural teachers prevail at Los Angeles Latino high schools. Equally unfortunate, many sectors of the Latino Community continue to suffer brutal and racially-motivated treatment at the hands of law enforcement. CREDITS ROLL THE END