INT. DORMITORY HALLWAY—NIGHT
Rachel sits on step that separates a hallway in the dormitory from rear entrance, rolls a joint, then passes it to Jim, who is standing next to her. They pass the joint to each other, back and forth, for a short time. Then Rachel stands up and she and Jim, each giggling, start to walk out of the rear entrance of the dormitory.
INT. MOVIE THEATRE—NIGHT
Jim and Rachel are watching a movie. Rachel leans closer to Jim, puts her arm around him for a few seconds and fondles his hair.
INT. JIM’S ROOM—NIGHT
Jim and Rachel are sitting next to each other on Jim’s mattress. Their legs are stretched out and their shoes are off. They exchange a joint as they talk.
JIM: So are you planning to hang around Ann Arbor after you finish with your finals?
RACHEL: No. I want to save up for a car this summer. So when I move out of the dorm next week, I’m going to go live with my parents. And get a summer job in Columbus.
JIM: What do your parents do?
RACHEL: They’re both professors at Ohio State. Maybe that’s why I’m more into bisexuality, pot and street fighting than academic bull-shit.
JIM: You’re bisexual?
RACHEL: Aren’t we all?
Jim laughs.
JIM: Yeah, I guess we all are. Although I tend to prefer women, myself.
RACHEL: You sound like Marlene. When we were sleeping together, she used to say she was bisexual. But that she tends to prefer men.
JIM: You and Marlene were lovers?
RACHEL: (laughs) Didn’t Marlene ever mention that to you? She and I shared a dormitory room during our freshman year.
INT. DORM ROOM—NIGHT
RACHEL (V.O.): And that’s when we used to sleep together.
Rachel and Marlene are in bed together with their clothes off, kissing each other passionately.
INT. JIM’S ROOM—NIGHT
JIM: Why did you break up with her?
RACHEL: It was after Marlene and I enrolled in a self-defense course at the Women’s Martial Arts Center.
JIM: Oh. I wondered where Marlene learned that fighting stance she went into when she blocked the right-wing hothead from attacking me.
INT. WOMEN’S MARTIAL ARTS CENTER—NIGHT
Marlene and Rachel are practicing karate kicks and punches, along with some other women, under the instruction of the SELF-DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR, 33, who’s a tall, short-haired woman.
RACHEL: (V.O.): Yeah. That’s where she learned those moves. But like I was saying, Marlene and I started going to the Women’s Martial Arts Center.
INT. DORM ROOM—NIGHT
Rachel and the Self-Defense Instructor are in bed together with their clothes off. Marlene enters the dorm room, stops, looks surprised, and then quickly leaves the dorm room.
RACHEL (V.O.): But she couldn’t handle it when I started having an affair with the instructor.
INT. JULIE’S APARTMENT—NIGHT
Marlene and Julie are kissing each other passionately on the sofa in Julie’s living room.
RACHEL (V.O.): Then, when she and Julie started having their fling, Marlene decided she wanted to break up with me.
INT. JIM’S ROOM—NIGHT
JIM: Julie? The Julie who works with Hal and the Black Economic Development Council?
RACHEL: That’s the one. Before she started hanging out with Hal, she and Marlene had a short fling. Then Marlene got involved with different men over the next few years. I think she’s been involved with that Roger guy lately.
Jim laughs and passes the joint back to Rachel.
JIM: Julie and Marlene. You and Marlene. You and me. It’s a small world, isn’t it?
Rachel giggles after she inhales the last bit of the roach and tosses it on the floor.
RACHEL: What else is there in life except bisexuality, pot and street fighting?
JIM: There’s romantic love.
Rachel giggles again.
RACHEL: I’ll show you some “romantic love”, Jim!
Rachel suddenly grabs Jim by the hair playfully and starts to grapple with him on the mattress. Then she and Jim start hugging and kissing each other in a more tender way.
INT. MANHATTAN FBI OFFICE—DAY
Kelly sits behind his desk, shuffling some papers. Maloney sits behind an adjacent desk. He is reading a copy of an underground newspaper.
KELLY: The Ann Arbor office in Michigan wants to know if we have files on some organization called “People Against The Air War.”
Maloney continues to read the newspaper as he talks.
MALONEY: (still reading newspaper) “People Against The Air War”? Never heard of it. Tell them to telex to New York any information they get on that organization. Maybe it’s a “front for terrorists.”
Kelly laughs.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Fugitive Generation (xx)
EXT. BROADWAY and 114TH STREET--DAY
Student demonstrators march north on Broadway, in a festive way, led by a group of women students. They laugh in-between chanting.
DEMONSTRATORS: One,two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS--DAY
Demonstrators march across Low Plaza and chant
DEMONSTRATORS: On strike! Shut it down! On strike! Shut it down!
Demonstrators march towards Hamilton Hall.
EXT. HAMILTON HALL--DAY
Maloney and Kelly stnad near front right door of Hamilton Hall, as demonstrators march by them, through the far left door. Maloney and Kelly examine the faces of the demonstrators as they walk into the building. After the end of the march haas entered Hamilton Hall, Maloney turns to Kelly.
MALONEY: I didn't spot any Weather Fugitives. Did you?
KELLY: No.
MALONEY: How about Greenberg?
KELLY: I didn't see Greenberg either. Should I get O'Connor to contact the neighbors of his parents again? And make sure Greenberg isn't visiting them now?
MALONEY: Yeah. Let's do that.
INT. JIM's ROOM--NIGHT
Rachel and Jim are both nude. Rachel smiles as she straddles Jim on his mattress and bombards Jim with passionate kisses.
INT. STUDENT UNIION BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Jim purchases newspaper. He glances at front page.
C.U. FRONT PAGE OF "MICHIGAN DAILY" NEWSPAPER
Under a big headline, "3,000 PROTEST AIR WAR; ROTC BUILDING, LABS TRASHED; NATIONAL GUARD TEAR GASES PROTESTERS," there's a photograph of Jim from the back, speaking at the rally and pointing off-campus.
INT. STUDENT ACTIVITIES BUILDING LOUNGE--NIGHT
Marlene chairs meeting.
MARLENE: So I propose that we picket outside the building where the Regents are meeting Friday. And hand out leaflets which demand that the University of Michigan end all its Pentagon research permanently. And discontinue its ROTC program, finally.
Jim raises his hand.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Jim?
JIM: Look. We showed yesterday that we have three thousand sisters and brothers who want ROTC and war researach ended at the University of Michigan. And who want all weapons production ended in the city of Ann Arbor. I don't think we just have to picket outside the building where the Regents are holding their meeting. I think we should march inside the building and go upstairs to where they're meeting. And make our demands right in front of their meeting room.
A few students applaud.
MARLENE: I call myself...I support Jim's idea. Is there anybody who doesn't think we should march inside the building and upstairs to make our demands right in front of the Regents' meeting room?
No hands are raised.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Then let's pass around sign-up sheets for people who want to leaflet.
EXT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING--DAY
Demonstrators have gathered in front of Administration building. Marlene leads demonstrators into building.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
Demonstrators sit on the floor outside meeting room, while Marlene speaks.
MARLENE: President Flame has agreed to speak with us inside the meeting room in a few minutes. To explain what the Regents have decided.
INT. REGENTS MEETING ROOM--DAY
Demonstrators sit around table and on floor in Regents' meeting room. University of Michigan President Flame sits at head of table on other side.
PRESIDENT FLAME: The Regents have agreed to form a new committee to study whether the University of Michigan should now terminate its ROTC program and move all classified rresearch work that is being done for the Department of Defense to an off-campus location. That's all you can realistically expect them to do.
JIM: Why can't you just order the ROTC program and the war research labs to be shut down immediately?
PRESIDENT FLAME: I don't have the authority. And it's unrealistic to expect the Regents to agree to shut them down without a committee recommending that it be done.
JIM: That's bull-shit! And you know it's bull-shit! The University of Michigan still wants to receive juicy research contracts from the Pentagon. Even if the war in Indochina goes on forever. That's really why you want to keep the ROTC program going and the secret research labs open. Why don't you stop bull-shitting the University of Michigan student body?
PRESIDENT FLAME: I don't have to listen to anybody talk to me like that. This meeting is over.
Presdient Flame stands up and walks toward the meeting room door.
MARLENE: President Flame! The student government has been demanding that the ROTC program and the war research labs be shut down for the last 4 years! When are you going to start listening to us?
President Flame turns around just before he reaches the meeting room door.
PRESIDENT FLAME: You're lucky I don't suspend you for inciting people to destroy Unviersity of Michigan property, Marlene!
MARLENE: Try it. And you'll have a thousand students sitting in your office.
President Flame turns his back again on demonstrators. He leaves the room, amidst laughter.
JIM: Now I understand why Marlene is more popular at the University of Michigan than President Flame.
MARLENE: As you can see, the Regents and President Flame still don't want to meet the demands of People Against The Air War. That's why we have to keep demonstrating in Ann Arbor as long as the air war against the Indochines people is not ended completely.
Demonstrators file out of the Regents meeting room.
EXT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING--DAY
Marlene is standing next to Roger, 21, a tall red-haired guy with glasses. Jim walks by, notices them and stops.
JIM: Marlene!
MARLENE: Hi, Jim. You know Roger.
JIM: Yeah. I've seen you at the People Against The Air War meetings...Speaking of People Against The Air War, are there going to be anymore meetings? We haven't had one since the Regents meeting demo.
MARLENE: No. That was it for this term. Everybody has to study for finals now. Or finish their term papers.
JIM: And what about you?
MARLENE: I haven't done much schoolwork since we started People Against The Air War. Now I have three weeks to both catch up and write four term papers.
JIM: That's the problem with trying to be a student, when you really want to be an activist.
MARLENE: How about you, Jim? Are you going to go back to your music now?
JIM: I don't know. First I have to figure out how to earn some money to stay in Ann Arbor. My savings are getting real low and I have to find a job.
ROGER: Why don't you go to "Write-On"? They need people to ghostwrite papers.
JIM: That's a good idea. I think I will do that.
INT. WRITE-ON OFFICE--DAY
A mustached man, 25, with long hair in a headband, WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR, sits behind desk. Jim sits on opposite side of desk.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: We exist to free undergrad students from being in academic straitjackets. But some of our best customers are professors who need research done for their books. And grad students, who need us to write their dissertations for them, also are frequent customers.
Write-On Supervisor hands Jim form.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR (CONT'D): This is the format in which each page of the paper should be typed. You get four dollars for each page you write. Special projects, like dissertation-writing and bibliographical work, will be paid accorting to an agreed-upon fee.
JIM: I think I can do it.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: That's good. Since this is our busy season, I can give you three projects that are due by next week. A paper on Dryden. A paper on public school educational issues. And a paper on Shakespeare. I also have PhD dissertation project that pays one thousand dollars, which won't be due until early June.
JIM: I'll takea whatever work you can give me.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: That's what we need.
Write-On Supervisor takes a few project order papers out of a folder. He hands them to Jim, who quickly looks project orders over. Jim stands and smiles.
JIM: See you next week!
Before the Write-On Supervisor has a chance to reply, the telephone on his desk has started to ring. At the same time he answers the telephone, four University of Michigan business school students walk into the office as Jim leaves office.
EXT. CAMPUS LAWN--DAY
Marlene is sitting alone on campus lawn across from library. She is taking notes from big textbook. On his way into the library, carrying a small knapsack, Jim notices Marlene, smiles and walks to where she is sitting. He is wearing a T-shirt and jeans, as is Marlene. Jim sits down next to Marlene.
JIM: Hi, Marlene!
Marlene looks up and puts down her book.
MARLENE: Jim!
Marlene puts her arm around Jim tenderly for a few seconds.
JIM: I haven't seen you in a few weeks. Where have you been?
MARLENE: Trying to avoid people so I don't flunk all my courses this term.
JIM: I miss talking with you.
MARLENE: I miss you,too, Jim. Did you end up finding some job?
JIM: I'm doing the ghostwriting for Write-On Research. That's why I'm going to the library now. I have to use the typewriter there to type up a paper that needs to be ready by tomorrow.
MARLENE: Do you like doing the ghostwriting?
JIM: It's better than doing office work or factory work. And it's easier to write a term paper when you're getting paid for it, than when you're just doing it to pass a course.
MARLENE: Are you able to live on what they pay you?
JIM: The last few days they seem to have less work. But I should get a thousand bucks by the middle of June, when I finish the dissertation they gave me to work on.
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: Somebody's purchasing their dissertation?
JIM: Yeah. She needs to get a PhD in Educational Administration in order to get hired as a university administrator.
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: I always wondered why university administrators don't seem to know anything.
Jim laughs.
JIM: How about going to a movie with me this weekend?
MARLENE: I'd like to. But I can't go out too much until I finish all this schoolwork. And I already promised Roger I'd go out with him this weekend.
JIM: Oh...Well, he seems like a nice guy.
MARLENE: Why don't you call me in a few weeks? I should have more free time by then.
JIM: O.K. I'll call you in a few weeks.
Jim suddenly give Marlene a quick kiss on the cheek and stands up.
JIM (CONT'D): Well, I guess I better start typing up that paper.
MARLENE: Nice seeing you again, Jim.
Student demonstrators march north on Broadway, in a festive way, led by a group of women students. They laugh in-between chanting.
DEMONSTRATORS: One,two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS--DAY
Demonstrators march across Low Plaza and chant
DEMONSTRATORS: On strike! Shut it down! On strike! Shut it down!
Demonstrators march towards Hamilton Hall.
EXT. HAMILTON HALL--DAY
Maloney and Kelly stnad near front right door of Hamilton Hall, as demonstrators march by them, through the far left door. Maloney and Kelly examine the faces of the demonstrators as they walk into the building. After the end of the march haas entered Hamilton Hall, Maloney turns to Kelly.
MALONEY: I didn't spot any Weather Fugitives. Did you?
KELLY: No.
MALONEY: How about Greenberg?
KELLY: I didn't see Greenberg either. Should I get O'Connor to contact the neighbors of his parents again? And make sure Greenberg isn't visiting them now?
MALONEY: Yeah. Let's do that.
INT. JIM's ROOM--NIGHT
Rachel and Jim are both nude. Rachel smiles as she straddles Jim on his mattress and bombards Jim with passionate kisses.
INT. STUDENT UNIION BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Jim purchases newspaper. He glances at front page.
C.U. FRONT PAGE OF "MICHIGAN DAILY" NEWSPAPER
Under a big headline, "3,000 PROTEST AIR WAR; ROTC BUILDING, LABS TRASHED; NATIONAL GUARD TEAR GASES PROTESTERS," there's a photograph of Jim from the back, speaking at the rally and pointing off-campus.
INT. STUDENT ACTIVITIES BUILDING LOUNGE--NIGHT
Marlene chairs meeting.
MARLENE: So I propose that we picket outside the building where the Regents are meeting Friday. And hand out leaflets which demand that the University of Michigan end all its Pentagon research permanently. And discontinue its ROTC program, finally.
Jim raises his hand.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Jim?
JIM: Look. We showed yesterday that we have three thousand sisters and brothers who want ROTC and war researach ended at the University of Michigan. And who want all weapons production ended in the city of Ann Arbor. I don't think we just have to picket outside the building where the Regents are holding their meeting. I think we should march inside the building and go upstairs to where they're meeting. And make our demands right in front of their meeting room.
A few students applaud.
MARLENE: I call myself...I support Jim's idea. Is there anybody who doesn't think we should march inside the building and upstairs to make our demands right in front of the Regents' meeting room?
No hands are raised.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Then let's pass around sign-up sheets for people who want to leaflet.
EXT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING--DAY
Demonstrators have gathered in front of Administration building. Marlene leads demonstrators into building.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
Demonstrators sit on the floor outside meeting room, while Marlene speaks.
MARLENE: President Flame has agreed to speak with us inside the meeting room in a few minutes. To explain what the Regents have decided.
INT. REGENTS MEETING ROOM--DAY
Demonstrators sit around table and on floor in Regents' meeting room. University of Michigan President Flame sits at head of table on other side.
PRESIDENT FLAME: The Regents have agreed to form a new committee to study whether the University of Michigan should now terminate its ROTC program and move all classified rresearch work that is being done for the Department of Defense to an off-campus location. That's all you can realistically expect them to do.
JIM: Why can't you just order the ROTC program and the war research labs to be shut down immediately?
PRESIDENT FLAME: I don't have the authority. And it's unrealistic to expect the Regents to agree to shut them down without a committee recommending that it be done.
JIM: That's bull-shit! And you know it's bull-shit! The University of Michigan still wants to receive juicy research contracts from the Pentagon. Even if the war in Indochina goes on forever. That's really why you want to keep the ROTC program going and the secret research labs open. Why don't you stop bull-shitting the University of Michigan student body?
PRESIDENT FLAME: I don't have to listen to anybody talk to me like that. This meeting is over.
Presdient Flame stands up and walks toward the meeting room door.
MARLENE: President Flame! The student government has been demanding that the ROTC program and the war research labs be shut down for the last 4 years! When are you going to start listening to us?
President Flame turns around just before he reaches the meeting room door.
PRESIDENT FLAME: You're lucky I don't suspend you for inciting people to destroy Unviersity of Michigan property, Marlene!
MARLENE: Try it. And you'll have a thousand students sitting in your office.
President Flame turns his back again on demonstrators. He leaves the room, amidst laughter.
JIM: Now I understand why Marlene is more popular at the University of Michigan than President Flame.
MARLENE: As you can see, the Regents and President Flame still don't want to meet the demands of People Against The Air War. That's why we have to keep demonstrating in Ann Arbor as long as the air war against the Indochines people is not ended completely.
Demonstrators file out of the Regents meeting room.
EXT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING--DAY
Marlene is standing next to Roger, 21, a tall red-haired guy with glasses. Jim walks by, notices them and stops.
JIM: Marlene!
MARLENE: Hi, Jim. You know Roger.
JIM: Yeah. I've seen you at the People Against The Air War meetings...Speaking of People Against The Air War, are there going to be anymore meetings? We haven't had one since the Regents meeting demo.
MARLENE: No. That was it for this term. Everybody has to study for finals now. Or finish their term papers.
JIM: And what about you?
MARLENE: I haven't done much schoolwork since we started People Against The Air War. Now I have three weeks to both catch up and write four term papers.
JIM: That's the problem with trying to be a student, when you really want to be an activist.
MARLENE: How about you, Jim? Are you going to go back to your music now?
JIM: I don't know. First I have to figure out how to earn some money to stay in Ann Arbor. My savings are getting real low and I have to find a job.
ROGER: Why don't you go to "Write-On"? They need people to ghostwrite papers.
JIM: That's a good idea. I think I will do that.
INT. WRITE-ON OFFICE--DAY
A mustached man, 25, with long hair in a headband, WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR, sits behind desk. Jim sits on opposite side of desk.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: We exist to free undergrad students from being in academic straitjackets. But some of our best customers are professors who need research done for their books. And grad students, who need us to write their dissertations for them, also are frequent customers.
Write-On Supervisor hands Jim form.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR (CONT'D): This is the format in which each page of the paper should be typed. You get four dollars for each page you write. Special projects, like dissertation-writing and bibliographical work, will be paid accorting to an agreed-upon fee.
JIM: I think I can do it.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: That's good. Since this is our busy season, I can give you three projects that are due by next week. A paper on Dryden. A paper on public school educational issues. And a paper on Shakespeare. I also have PhD dissertation project that pays one thousand dollars, which won't be due until early June.
JIM: I'll takea whatever work you can give me.
WRITE-ON SUPERVISOR: That's what we need.
Write-On Supervisor takes a few project order papers out of a folder. He hands them to Jim, who quickly looks project orders over. Jim stands and smiles.
JIM: See you next week!
Before the Write-On Supervisor has a chance to reply, the telephone on his desk has started to ring. At the same time he answers the telephone, four University of Michigan business school students walk into the office as Jim leaves office.
EXT. CAMPUS LAWN--DAY
Marlene is sitting alone on campus lawn across from library. She is taking notes from big textbook. On his way into the library, carrying a small knapsack, Jim notices Marlene, smiles and walks to where she is sitting. He is wearing a T-shirt and jeans, as is Marlene. Jim sits down next to Marlene.
JIM: Hi, Marlene!
Marlene looks up and puts down her book.
MARLENE: Jim!
Marlene puts her arm around Jim tenderly for a few seconds.
JIM: I haven't seen you in a few weeks. Where have you been?
MARLENE: Trying to avoid people so I don't flunk all my courses this term.
JIM: I miss talking with you.
MARLENE: I miss you,too, Jim. Did you end up finding some job?
JIM: I'm doing the ghostwriting for Write-On Research. That's why I'm going to the library now. I have to use the typewriter there to type up a paper that needs to be ready by tomorrow.
MARLENE: Do you like doing the ghostwriting?
JIM: It's better than doing office work or factory work. And it's easier to write a term paper when you're getting paid for it, than when you're just doing it to pass a course.
MARLENE: Are you able to live on what they pay you?
JIM: The last few days they seem to have less work. But I should get a thousand bucks by the middle of June, when I finish the dissertation they gave me to work on.
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: Somebody's purchasing their dissertation?
JIM: Yeah. She needs to get a PhD in Educational Administration in order to get hired as a university administrator.
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: I always wondered why university administrators don't seem to know anything.
Jim laughs.
JIM: How about going to a movie with me this weekend?
MARLENE: I'd like to. But I can't go out too much until I finish all this schoolwork. And I already promised Roger I'd go out with him this weekend.
JIM: Oh...Well, he seems like a nice guy.
MARLENE: Why don't you call me in a few weeks? I should have more free time by then.
JIM: O.K. I'll call you in a few weeks.
Jim suddenly give Marlene a quick kiss on the cheek and stands up.
JIM (CONT'D): Well, I guess I better start typing up that paper.
MARLENE: Nice seeing you again, Jim.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Fugitive Generation (xix)
INT. COFFEEHOUSE--NIGHT
EMCEE, 29, is long-haired woman who wears jeans. She stands behind microphone in darkened coffeehouse. Only 5 of the 25 seats are occupied. Jim sits on a chair behind Emcee, holding his guitar.
EMCEE: It's been a long night. But there's still one performer left to hear on our "Open Mike Night" at the Ark Coffeehouse.
She looks down on her index card.
EMCEE (CONT'D): Let's hear it for Jim Wilson.
One person in audience quietly applauds. Emcee walks towards rear of coffeehouse. Jim pulls microphone closer to him. He remains seated as he sings.
JIM: Here's a song which I wrote that tells about the history of this country. It's called "Livin' On Stolen Goods." (he sings):
Oh, many, many ages ago
Red people lived alone
At peace with the buffalo
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
To make money they came
The Anglos and their slaves
For housework, they had their dames
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And they brought with them their guns
And whipped and shot Black ones
They brainwashed their children
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And westward ho!, they marched
And shot down the reds who tried to resist
And this whole land they robbed
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And they cramped the Red people in camps
And ghettoized the Blacks
And now they're into Asia
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
Amerika, your riches
Are based on your robbery
You white racists are doomed
'Cause you're livin' on stolen goods.
Yes, many, many ages ago
Red people lived alone
At peace with the buffalo
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
After Jim stops singing, one person in audience applauds along with Emcee. A couple in audience gets up to leave. A second couple continues to make out in the darkness. Emcee returns to front of microophone.
EMCEE: Well, that's all the performers for tonight. We hope to see all of you this Saturday night, when Mike Cooney will be performing at the Ark Coffeehouse.
Jim packs up his guitar after lights are turned on. Emcee smiles at Jim.
EMCEE (CONT'D): I liked your song. Maybe next time you'll have more of an audience when it's your turn to sing.
JIM: Do so many people usually show up to sing for the "Open Mike Night"?
EMCEE: Usually even more than we had tonight. This is Ann Arbor, you know. Where everybody thinks he can make it as a musician.
INT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING--DAY
Jim pickes up "Michigan Daily" newspaper from newsstand. He pays cashier, looks at headline and shakes his head.
C.U. Headline of "Michigan Daily"
"NIXON ORDERS BOMBING OF NORTH VIETNAM RESUMED; PARIS PEACE TALKS SUSPENDED."
INT. ACADEMIC BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Marlene is sitting behind People Against The Air War table. Jim walks to table and hands her newspaper.
JIM: Did you see the headline, Marlene?
MARLENE: No.
JIM: They're bombing North Vietnam again.
Marlene puts down newspaper.
MARLENE: What should we do?
JIM: Hold an emergency meeting tonight to plan an emergency rally for tomorrow. We've been telling the campus that the war in Indochina was not over, for the last 3 months. And this proves to students that we were right.
MARLENE: That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you write out a leaflet now. And, when Rachel stops by the table, we can go over to the student government office and run it off for the lunchtime and afternoon class-breaks.
EXT. DIAG AREA OF CAMPUS--DAY
Marlene, Rachel and Jim stand on steps of grad school library in front of large crowd of student demonstrators. It's a warm spring day and Marlene is wering khaki pants and a t-shirt with the peace sign on it. She speaks through the bullhorn she is holding.
MARLENE: We are here today to protest the Nixon Administration's decision to again escalate its war against the Indochinese people.
We formed People Against The Air War a few months ago. Because we realized that an unpublicized, automated air war was still being waged against the Indochinese people by the Nixon Administration. And to let people know that weapons for the Pentagon's electronic battlefield in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were still being developed inside University of Michigan laboratories. And were still being manufactured by Ann Arbor corporations. Like KMS. Like Hoover Ball & Bearing. And like Bendix.
Yesterday the Nixon Administration resumed the bombing of North Vietnam. And today, it has begun bombing the outskirts of Hanoi.
People Against The Air War demands that all U.S. bombing in Indochina be immediately stopped!
Demonstrators applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We also demand that all secret war research for the Pentagon currently being done at the University of Michigan be ended immediately!
Demonstrators applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): And, finally, we want companies in Ann Arbor that currently manufacture parts for the electronic battlefield and the automated air war in Indochina to stop their war production now!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We're going to now hear from a few more speakers, since people are still arriving at this rally. And then we'll be marching to demonstrate at the ROTC building, the war research labs and the military recruitment office. To express our outrage that the war in Indochina has still not been ended!
Demonstrators applaud. While they're applauding, Marlene turns to Jim.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Jim. Why don't you speak for a few minutes?
Marlene hands Jim the bullhorn.
JIM: They told us the bombing of our Indochinese sisters and brothers had ended. But today they're bombing Hanoi!
They told us they were negotiating a peace agreement in Paris. But today the Paris peace talks are no longer going on!
Is the war in Indochina over?
DEMONSTRATORS: No!
JIM: Is there peace in Indochina?
DEMONSTRATORS: No!
JIM: The U.S. government is once again seeking a military victory in Indochina. But our Indochinese sisters and brothers would rather die than surrender to the bombs of the Pentagon!
Our Indochinese sisters and brothers have responded to the Pentagon's automated air war and electronic battlefield in Indochina with their own counter-offensive. And to prevent the victory of their liberation struggle, the Death Culture has started to bomb Hanoi!
But the Death Culture--in whose name the Pentagon bombs--is being opposed by the Life Culture, as well as by the Indochinese people.
Those of us who live around campuses like Ann Arbor and are anti-war: We represent the Life Culture!
And more and more people in the United States are becoming part of the Life Culture. Because they recognize that the Death Culture stands for endless war, 9-to-5 slavery and the continued oppression of Black people in places like Detroit!
Jim stretches out his right arm and points off-campus at the same time a student newspaper photographer snaps his camera.
JIM (CONT'D): And the Death Culture's Pentagon is controlled by insane people who are willing to commit crimes of mass murder endlessly in Indochina, as part of the global power trip they're still into.
But here in Ann Arbor, we have a Life Culture that lives by a set of humanistic values which seeks peace, love and absolute freedom! Not endless war and the domination of others!
Last May, the Life Culture went to Washington, D.C. and attempted to shut down the U.S. government until it ended its war in Indochina. But despite the May Day demonstration of 1971, the Death Culture did not end its war. Instead, the Death Culture just grabbed off the streets of Washington thousands of May Day demonstrators. And fenced them in!
But if we want to see the war in Indochina finally ended, every day must become a May Day! Every day must become a May Day!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud.
JIM (CONT'D): I know doing Movement work to end the War can get to be a drag. But unless enough of us continue to be activists, as well as freaks, the Death Culture will never end this endless war.
Demonstrators applaud.
Jim hands bullhorn to Rachel. She is wearing jeans and t-shirt that says "Remember Kent State!".
RACHEL: I was arrested in Washington at the May Day demos last year. But the Pentagon is still bombing like shit in Indochina! And unless we get out of the classroom and into the streets again, Nixon is never going to end this fuckin' war!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud. Rachel hands the bullhorn to VIETNAM VET, 24, a bearded freak with long red hair.
VIETNAM VET: I'm a Vietnam Veteran Against The War. And I'd like to say a few words.
Demonstrators cheer and applaud. Then there is silence.
VIETNAM VET (CONT'D): A few of us here know from first-hand experience why the war in Vietnam has to be stopped. The military lied to us before they shipped us to Vietnam. Then we found ourselves being ordered to attack villages of peasants in the countryside. Civilians. Children. Women. Old men without weapons. And when some of the civilians defended themselves, guys from Michigan, from Ohio, from Indiana, were now dead. For no good reason. This fuckin' war makes no sense.
Let's cut the speeches now. Let's stop bull-shitting. And let's start marching to the ROTC building!
Demonstrators cheer. A group of Vietnam Vets rush to the front of the rally crowd. The demonstrators begin to march across campus towards ROTC building.
DEMONSTRATORS: One! Two! Three! Four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. ROTC BUILDING--DAY
A few crew-cutted frat students stand in front of ROTC bulding. They look bewildered. Vietnam Vet and other members of his group storm into building.
INT. ROTC BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Vietnam Vet picks up chair and shatters case of ROTC trophies. Other Vietnam Vet group members smash windowed cases and pull down bulletin boards. They then lead demonstrators into different ROTC building classrooms.
INT. ROTC CLASSROOM--DAY
Marlene and Jim pull bulletin board down from wall. Then they tip over a desk and turn a big wastepaper basket over. Next they start ripping down posters of soldiers and tossing chairs over.
INT. ROTC STORAGE CLOSET--DAY
Rachel and other demonstrators pull ROTC uniforms out of storage closet and throw uniforms on floor. They then step on the uniforms. Some demonstrators dump red paint on uniforms.
INT. ROTC CLASSROOM--DAY
Vietnam Vet and members of Vet group smash lamps inside a ROTC classroom. Julie opens a desk and dumps what's inside onto the floor. Joey pulls a clock out of the wall.
INT. ROTC BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Marlene and Jim join others in tipping over lockers in hallway.
EXT. ROTC BUILDING--DAY
Led by Vietnam Vets, demonsrators leave ROTC building and link up with other demonstrators already outside.
EXT. ENGINEERING BUILDING--DAY
Vietnam Vet and his group lead demonstrators into building.
INT. ENGINEERING BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Demonstrators are in front of door marked "Restricted Area." Vietnam Vet opens door.
INT. ELECTRONIC WAR RESEARCH LAB--DAY
Demonstrators, led by Vietnam Vet, enter lab. The lab contains a lot of wires and electronic equipment and gadgetry. Vietnam Vet starts to toss equipment on floor. Other vets do same. Marlene and Jim tip over some desks. Rachel throws a few chairs in the corner. Julie rips down some boards. Other demonstrators join them in wrecking laboratory. Within a few minutes, laboratory is completely trashed and wires are ripped out of sockets and tossed in corner of the room. Demonstrators then leave trashed electronic war research lab quickly.
EXT. DIAG AREA OF CAMPUS--DAY
Demonstrators march across campus, towards Downtown Ann Arbor.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war! One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET--DAY
Demonstrators march down street, still chanting. They block traffic, while non-demonstrating students watch from sidewalk.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. U.S. MILITARY RECRUITMENT OFFICE--DAY
Demonstrators stop in front of U.S. Military Recruitment Office. Vietnam Vet picks up rock and breaks glass of windows in front of U.S. Army recruiter's desk. A few seconds later, Jim tosses a rock that breaks glass in front of U.S. Marine recruiter's desk. Demonstrators start marching back towards campus, chanting.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. DIAG. AREA OF CAMPUS--dAY
The size of anti-war demonstration has grown. Marlene is standing on library steps and speaking through a bullhorn.
MARLENE: We are here to demand that the Nixon Administration stop its bombing in Indochina!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): And to demand that all weapons production in Ann Arbor for the automated air war in Indochina be ended!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We also demand that the University of Michigan stop doing war research for the electronic battlefield in its laboratories!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): What do we want?
DEMONSTRATORS: Peace!
MARLENE (CONT'D): When do we want it?
DEMONSTRATORS: Now!
MARLENE: If you look around you, you can see that since this rally started our numbers have doubled. So I propose that we continue this demonstration and march now to the Interstate Highway. To demand that the Nixon Administration finally end its war against the Indochinese people! Are you ready to march to the highway with me?
DEMONSTRATORS: Yes!
Rachel raises her fist.
RACHEL: To the highway!
EXT. WASHTENAW BLVD.--DAY
Washtenaw Blvd. is a divided, major thoroughfare, with 3 lanes on each side, located between a strip of fast food restaurants, motels and shopping malls. The demonstrators are marching in a festive, jovial way on side of the road. Traffic is at a standstill behind the march. Michigan State Police monitor the demonstrators from inside police car, from motorcycles or by walking alongside demonstrators.
Marlene walks with group of women students. She is smiling and laughing, as the women talk with each other.
Jim walks by himself. When front of march momentarily stops, Rachel, walks up behind Jim and taps him on his right shoulder. Jim turns around.
JIM: Oh, hi Rachel. Good demo, huh?
Rachel looks over Jim's body and gives him a seductive glance.
RACHEL: Yeah. I liked your little speech. How about getting a cup of coffee with me after the demo? I've been wanting to get to know you better. Ever since we first met.
Rachel puts her right arm around Jim's waist fondly for a few seconds. Jim gazes at Rachel for a moment. Then he smiles.
JIM: O.K. After the demo we can get a cup of coffee together.
The anti-war march moves forward again. Jim and Rachel converse quietly and laugh, while they now march next to each other.
EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE--DAY
Front of anti-war march has reached entrance ramp of Interstate Highway. But any further approach onto highway is now being prevented by 50 National Guardsmen who are wearing gas masks. Five of the Guardsmen are holding tear gas launching equipment. Demonstrators start to chant.
DEMONSTRATORS: No Police State! Remember Kent State! No Police State! Remember Jackson State!
The loud chanting continues until all of marchers arrive at the highway entrance and are facing off the National Guardsmen. About 15 yards separate National Guard troops from anti-war demonstrators.
A few demonstrators move closer to troops and sit down on highway entrance ramp in front of troops. When about 30 demonstrators have sat down, 3 of the National Guardsmen suddenly fire tear gas at demonstrators. There's suddenly a lot of tear gas in the air. Demonstrators who were sitting down start to choke, stand up and begin to retreat from area, along with other demonstrators. Interstate Highway entrance area becomes flooded with tear gas. A few of the demonstrators are vomiting as they march back towards Washtenaw Blvd. Along with other demonstrators, Marlene, Jim, Rachel, Julie, Patty, Joey and Vietnam Vet are coughing.
EXT. WASHTENAW BLVD.--DAY
Demonstrators march rapidly on Washtenaw Blvd. in a less jovial mood than previously. Many of the demonstrators are still coughing.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war! The streets belong to the people! The streets belong to the people!
INT. COLUMBIA SPECTATOR STUDENT NEWSPAPER OFFICE--DAY
Louise is sitting behind desk editing copy. Eddie rushes into office.
EDDIE: They're going to occupy a building to protest the new bombing of North Vietnam! They say they're going to shut down Columbia like students did in 1968!
Louise stands up.
LOUISE: Shut it down like in 1968? When?
EDDIE: They say they'll march into a building as soon as they finish marching up Broadway!
LOUISE: How many are marching?
EDDIE: it looks like a thousand.
LOUISE: Holy shit! That Greenberg guy was right when he predicted that Columbia would get shut down this month!
EMCEE, 29, is long-haired woman who wears jeans. She stands behind microphone in darkened coffeehouse. Only 5 of the 25 seats are occupied. Jim sits on a chair behind Emcee, holding his guitar.
EMCEE: It's been a long night. But there's still one performer left to hear on our "Open Mike Night" at the Ark Coffeehouse.
She looks down on her index card.
EMCEE (CONT'D): Let's hear it for Jim Wilson.
One person in audience quietly applauds. Emcee walks towards rear of coffeehouse. Jim pulls microphone closer to him. He remains seated as he sings.
JIM: Here's a song which I wrote that tells about the history of this country. It's called "Livin' On Stolen Goods." (he sings):
Oh, many, many ages ago
Red people lived alone
At peace with the buffalo
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
To make money they came
The Anglos and their slaves
For housework, they had their dames
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And they brought with them their guns
And whipped and shot Black ones
They brainwashed their children
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And westward ho!, they marched
And shot down the reds who tried to resist
And this whole land they robbed
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
And they cramped the Red people in camps
And ghettoized the Blacks
And now they're into Asia
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
Amerika, your riches
Are based on your robbery
You white racists are doomed
'Cause you're livin' on stolen goods.
Yes, many, many ages ago
Red people lived alone
At peace with the buffalo
Oh, they're livin' on stolen goods.
After Jim stops singing, one person in audience applauds along with Emcee. A couple in audience gets up to leave. A second couple continues to make out in the darkness. Emcee returns to front of microophone.
EMCEE: Well, that's all the performers for tonight. We hope to see all of you this Saturday night, when Mike Cooney will be performing at the Ark Coffeehouse.
Jim packs up his guitar after lights are turned on. Emcee smiles at Jim.
EMCEE (CONT'D): I liked your song. Maybe next time you'll have more of an audience when it's your turn to sing.
JIM: Do so many people usually show up to sing for the "Open Mike Night"?
EMCEE: Usually even more than we had tonight. This is Ann Arbor, you know. Where everybody thinks he can make it as a musician.
INT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING--DAY
Jim pickes up "Michigan Daily" newspaper from newsstand. He pays cashier, looks at headline and shakes his head.
C.U. Headline of "Michigan Daily"
"NIXON ORDERS BOMBING OF NORTH VIETNAM RESUMED; PARIS PEACE TALKS SUSPENDED."
INT. ACADEMIC BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Marlene is sitting behind People Against The Air War table. Jim walks to table and hands her newspaper.
JIM: Did you see the headline, Marlene?
MARLENE: No.
JIM: They're bombing North Vietnam again.
Marlene puts down newspaper.
MARLENE: What should we do?
JIM: Hold an emergency meeting tonight to plan an emergency rally for tomorrow. We've been telling the campus that the war in Indochina was not over, for the last 3 months. And this proves to students that we were right.
MARLENE: That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you write out a leaflet now. And, when Rachel stops by the table, we can go over to the student government office and run it off for the lunchtime and afternoon class-breaks.
EXT. DIAG AREA OF CAMPUS--DAY
Marlene, Rachel and Jim stand on steps of grad school library in front of large crowd of student demonstrators. It's a warm spring day and Marlene is wering khaki pants and a t-shirt with the peace sign on it. She speaks through the bullhorn she is holding.
MARLENE: We are here today to protest the Nixon Administration's decision to again escalate its war against the Indochinese people.
We formed People Against The Air War a few months ago. Because we realized that an unpublicized, automated air war was still being waged against the Indochinese people by the Nixon Administration. And to let people know that weapons for the Pentagon's electronic battlefield in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were still being developed inside University of Michigan laboratories. And were still being manufactured by Ann Arbor corporations. Like KMS. Like Hoover Ball & Bearing. And like Bendix.
Yesterday the Nixon Administration resumed the bombing of North Vietnam. And today, it has begun bombing the outskirts of Hanoi.
People Against The Air War demands that all U.S. bombing in Indochina be immediately stopped!
Demonstrators applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We also demand that all secret war research for the Pentagon currently being done at the University of Michigan be ended immediately!
Demonstrators applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): And, finally, we want companies in Ann Arbor that currently manufacture parts for the electronic battlefield and the automated air war in Indochina to stop their war production now!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We're going to now hear from a few more speakers, since people are still arriving at this rally. And then we'll be marching to demonstrate at the ROTC building, the war research labs and the military recruitment office. To express our outrage that the war in Indochina has still not been ended!
Demonstrators applaud. While they're applauding, Marlene turns to Jim.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Jim. Why don't you speak for a few minutes?
Marlene hands Jim the bullhorn.
JIM: They told us the bombing of our Indochinese sisters and brothers had ended. But today they're bombing Hanoi!
They told us they were negotiating a peace agreement in Paris. But today the Paris peace talks are no longer going on!
Is the war in Indochina over?
DEMONSTRATORS: No!
JIM: Is there peace in Indochina?
DEMONSTRATORS: No!
JIM: The U.S. government is once again seeking a military victory in Indochina. But our Indochinese sisters and brothers would rather die than surrender to the bombs of the Pentagon!
Our Indochinese sisters and brothers have responded to the Pentagon's automated air war and electronic battlefield in Indochina with their own counter-offensive. And to prevent the victory of their liberation struggle, the Death Culture has started to bomb Hanoi!
But the Death Culture--in whose name the Pentagon bombs--is being opposed by the Life Culture, as well as by the Indochinese people.
Those of us who live around campuses like Ann Arbor and are anti-war: We represent the Life Culture!
And more and more people in the United States are becoming part of the Life Culture. Because they recognize that the Death Culture stands for endless war, 9-to-5 slavery and the continued oppression of Black people in places like Detroit!
Jim stretches out his right arm and points off-campus at the same time a student newspaper photographer snaps his camera.
JIM (CONT'D): And the Death Culture's Pentagon is controlled by insane people who are willing to commit crimes of mass murder endlessly in Indochina, as part of the global power trip they're still into.
But here in Ann Arbor, we have a Life Culture that lives by a set of humanistic values which seeks peace, love and absolute freedom! Not endless war and the domination of others!
Last May, the Life Culture went to Washington, D.C. and attempted to shut down the U.S. government until it ended its war in Indochina. But despite the May Day demonstration of 1971, the Death Culture did not end its war. Instead, the Death Culture just grabbed off the streets of Washington thousands of May Day demonstrators. And fenced them in!
But if we want to see the war in Indochina finally ended, every day must become a May Day! Every day must become a May Day!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud.
JIM (CONT'D): I know doing Movement work to end the War can get to be a drag. But unless enough of us continue to be activists, as well as freaks, the Death Culture will never end this endless war.
Demonstrators applaud.
Jim hands bullhorn to Rachel. She is wearing jeans and t-shirt that says "Remember Kent State!".
RACHEL: I was arrested in Washington at the May Day demos last year. But the Pentagon is still bombing like shit in Indochina! And unless we get out of the classroom and into the streets again, Nixon is never going to end this fuckin' war!
Demonstrators cheer and applaud. Rachel hands the bullhorn to VIETNAM VET, 24, a bearded freak with long red hair.
VIETNAM VET: I'm a Vietnam Veteran Against The War. And I'd like to say a few words.
Demonstrators cheer and applaud. Then there is silence.
VIETNAM VET (CONT'D): A few of us here know from first-hand experience why the war in Vietnam has to be stopped. The military lied to us before they shipped us to Vietnam. Then we found ourselves being ordered to attack villages of peasants in the countryside. Civilians. Children. Women. Old men without weapons. And when some of the civilians defended themselves, guys from Michigan, from Ohio, from Indiana, were now dead. For no good reason. This fuckin' war makes no sense.
Let's cut the speeches now. Let's stop bull-shitting. And let's start marching to the ROTC building!
Demonstrators cheer. A group of Vietnam Vets rush to the front of the rally crowd. The demonstrators begin to march across campus towards ROTC building.
DEMONSTRATORS: One! Two! Three! Four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. ROTC BUILDING--DAY
A few crew-cutted frat students stand in front of ROTC bulding. They look bewildered. Vietnam Vet and other members of his group storm into building.
INT. ROTC BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Vietnam Vet picks up chair and shatters case of ROTC trophies. Other Vietnam Vet group members smash windowed cases and pull down bulletin boards. They then lead demonstrators into different ROTC building classrooms.
INT. ROTC CLASSROOM--DAY
Marlene and Jim pull bulletin board down from wall. Then they tip over a desk and turn a big wastepaper basket over. Next they start ripping down posters of soldiers and tossing chairs over.
INT. ROTC STORAGE CLOSET--DAY
Rachel and other demonstrators pull ROTC uniforms out of storage closet and throw uniforms on floor. They then step on the uniforms. Some demonstrators dump red paint on uniforms.
INT. ROTC CLASSROOM--DAY
Vietnam Vet and members of Vet group smash lamps inside a ROTC classroom. Julie opens a desk and dumps what's inside onto the floor. Joey pulls a clock out of the wall.
INT. ROTC BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Marlene and Jim join others in tipping over lockers in hallway.
EXT. ROTC BUILDING--DAY
Led by Vietnam Vets, demonsrators leave ROTC building and link up with other demonstrators already outside.
EXT. ENGINEERING BUILDING--DAY
Vietnam Vet and his group lead demonstrators into building.
INT. ENGINEERING BUILDING HALLWAY--DAY
Demonstrators are in front of door marked "Restricted Area." Vietnam Vet opens door.
INT. ELECTRONIC WAR RESEARCH LAB--DAY
Demonstrators, led by Vietnam Vet, enter lab. The lab contains a lot of wires and electronic equipment and gadgetry. Vietnam Vet starts to toss equipment on floor. Other vets do same. Marlene and Jim tip over some desks. Rachel throws a few chairs in the corner. Julie rips down some boards. Other demonstrators join them in wrecking laboratory. Within a few minutes, laboratory is completely trashed and wires are ripped out of sockets and tossed in corner of the room. Demonstrators then leave trashed electronic war research lab quickly.
EXT. DIAG AREA OF CAMPUS--DAY
Demonstrators march across campus, towards Downtown Ann Arbor.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war! One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET--DAY
Demonstrators march down street, still chanting. They block traffic, while non-demonstrating students watch from sidewalk.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. U.S. MILITARY RECRUITMENT OFFICE--DAY
Demonstrators stop in front of U.S. Military Recruitment Office. Vietnam Vet picks up rock and breaks glass of windows in front of U.S. Army recruiter's desk. A few seconds later, Jim tosses a rock that breaks glass in front of U.S. Marine recruiter's desk. Demonstrators start marching back towards campus, chanting.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three four! We don't want your fuckin' war!
EXT. DIAG. AREA OF CAMPUS--dAY
The size of anti-war demonstration has grown. Marlene is standing on library steps and speaking through a bullhorn.
MARLENE: We are here to demand that the Nixon Administration stop its bombing in Indochina!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): And to demand that all weapons production in Ann Arbor for the automated air war in Indochina be ended!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): We also demand that the University of Michigan stop doing war research for the electronic battlefield in its laboratories!
Demonstrators cheer.
MARLENE (CONT'D): What do we want?
DEMONSTRATORS: Peace!
MARLENE (CONT'D): When do we want it?
DEMONSTRATORS: Now!
MARLENE: If you look around you, you can see that since this rally started our numbers have doubled. So I propose that we continue this demonstration and march now to the Interstate Highway. To demand that the Nixon Administration finally end its war against the Indochinese people! Are you ready to march to the highway with me?
DEMONSTRATORS: Yes!
Rachel raises her fist.
RACHEL: To the highway!
EXT. WASHTENAW BLVD.--DAY
Washtenaw Blvd. is a divided, major thoroughfare, with 3 lanes on each side, located between a strip of fast food restaurants, motels and shopping malls. The demonstrators are marching in a festive, jovial way on side of the road. Traffic is at a standstill behind the march. Michigan State Police monitor the demonstrators from inside police car, from motorcycles or by walking alongside demonstrators.
Marlene walks with group of women students. She is smiling and laughing, as the women talk with each other.
Jim walks by himself. When front of march momentarily stops, Rachel, walks up behind Jim and taps him on his right shoulder. Jim turns around.
JIM: Oh, hi Rachel. Good demo, huh?
Rachel looks over Jim's body and gives him a seductive glance.
RACHEL: Yeah. I liked your little speech. How about getting a cup of coffee with me after the demo? I've been wanting to get to know you better. Ever since we first met.
Rachel puts her right arm around Jim's waist fondly for a few seconds. Jim gazes at Rachel for a moment. Then he smiles.
JIM: O.K. After the demo we can get a cup of coffee together.
The anti-war march moves forward again. Jim and Rachel converse quietly and laugh, while they now march next to each other.
EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE--DAY
Front of anti-war march has reached entrance ramp of Interstate Highway. But any further approach onto highway is now being prevented by 50 National Guardsmen who are wearing gas masks. Five of the Guardsmen are holding tear gas launching equipment. Demonstrators start to chant.
DEMONSTRATORS: No Police State! Remember Kent State! No Police State! Remember Jackson State!
The loud chanting continues until all of marchers arrive at the highway entrance and are facing off the National Guardsmen. About 15 yards separate National Guard troops from anti-war demonstrators.
A few demonstrators move closer to troops and sit down on highway entrance ramp in front of troops. When about 30 demonstrators have sat down, 3 of the National Guardsmen suddenly fire tear gas at demonstrators. There's suddenly a lot of tear gas in the air. Demonstrators who were sitting down start to choke, stand up and begin to retreat from area, along with other demonstrators. Interstate Highway entrance area becomes flooded with tear gas. A few of the demonstrators are vomiting as they march back towards Washtenaw Blvd. Along with other demonstrators, Marlene, Jim, Rachel, Julie, Patty, Joey and Vietnam Vet are coughing.
EXT. WASHTENAW BLVD.--DAY
Demonstrators march rapidly on Washtenaw Blvd. in a less jovial mood than previously. Many of the demonstrators are still coughing.
DEMONSTRATORS: One, two, three, four! We don't want your fuckin' war! The streets belong to the people! The streets belong to the people!
INT. COLUMBIA SPECTATOR STUDENT NEWSPAPER OFFICE--DAY
Louise is sitting behind desk editing copy. Eddie rushes into office.
EDDIE: They're going to occupy a building to protest the new bombing of North Vietnam! They say they're going to shut down Columbia like students did in 1968!
Louise stands up.
LOUISE: Shut it down like in 1968? When?
EDDIE: They say they'll march into a building as soon as they finish marching up Broadway!
LOUISE: How many are marching?
EDDIE: it looks like a thousand.
LOUISE: Holy shit! That Greenberg guy was right when he predicted that Columbia would get shut down this month!
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Fugitive Generation (xviii)
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
Maloney and Kelly walk slowly down hallway and stop in front of Apt. 1-H. Kelly rings doorbell.
NEIGHBOR (O.S.): (man's voice) Who is it?
NEIGHBOR, 75, has no foreign accent.
KELLY: It's the FBI. We'd like to speak with you.
Neighbor opens apartment door.
INT. LIVING ROOM--DAY
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE, 72, turns off television set.
NEIGHBOR: Have a seat.
Maloney and Kelly enter apartment and sit down on couch. Neighbor sits down on chair next to his wife.
NEIGHBOR (CONT'D): How can we help you?
KELLY: We'd like to ask you some questions about your neighbors in Apartment 1-G. The Greenbergs. Do you know them?
NEIGHBOR: We say hello to each other in the hall.
MALONEY: How are they as neighbors?
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: They're good neighbors. They're very quiet. We've never had any trouble with them.
KELLY: How long have the Greenbergs been your neighbors?
NEIGHBOR: Two years. Maybe three years.
MALONEY: Have you ever seen their son?
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: I saw him a few times around Thanksgiving. When he was staying over to visit them.
NEIGHBOR: I bumped into him in the hall a few times.
KELLY: What did he look like?
NEIGHBOR: He has long, kinky hair and a mustache.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: He looks like a hippie.
KELLY: Do you know whether he owns a car or has a driver's license?
NEIGHBOR: I don't know.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: I wouldn't know anything about that.
KELLY: Did you ever notice him getting any visitors at his parent's apartment when he would stay there?
NEIGHBOR: I never saw him in the hall with any visitors.
KELLY: We have some photographs of some Weather fugitives that we'd like you to look at now. We think the Greenbergs' son is helping them hide out.
Kelly shows them a photograph.
C.U. PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUNG MAN
KELLY (CONT'D) (V.O.): Have you ever seen him around this building?
NEIGHBOR (V.O.): Not around this building. Just on TV.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE (V.O.): Just in the newspapers and on TV.
C.U. PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUNG WOMAN
KELLY (V.O.): What about her?
NEIGHBOR (V.O.): Never saw her before.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE (V.O.): I never saw her around this building.
Maloney and Kelly stand.
KELLY: Well, that's all the questions we have for now. But we'd like you to let us know if you see the Greenbergs' son visiting them again.
NEIGHBOR: We'll be watching out for him. If you want us to.
KELLY: Let me take down your phone number. We'll be telephoning you from time to time.
NEIGHBOR: Our phone number is 459-6008.
MALONEY: Well, thank you for your cooperation. If all citizens were as cooperative as you, senior citizens wouldn't have to be afraid of being mugged on the street.
KELLY: Have a good day!
NEIGHBOR: Same to you.
Maloney and Kelly leave apartment. Neighbor closes door.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: It's like Nazi Germany. Now we have to spy on our neighbors.
NEIGHBOR: We have no choice. If we don't cooperate with them, they might get nosey about Alfredo's construction business.
INT. GREENBERGS' APARTMENT--DAY
GREENBERG'S MOTHER, 50, is a physically attractive women who wears slacks. She is stretched out on her bed reading a library book.
C.U. BOOK COVER of "Eleanor Roosevelt's Autobiography"
Sound of doorbell buzz. Greenberg's Mother slowly gets up from bed, walks from bedroom into living room and to door.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: Who is it?
MALONEY (O.S.): It's the FBI. We'd like to speak with James Greenberg.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: I don't know where he is.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
MALONEY: Are you his mother?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): Yes, I am.
MALONEY: And you're Mrs. Jacob Greenberg?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): Yes.
MALONEY: May we come in and speak with you for a few minutes, Mrs. Greenberg?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): No.
MALONEY: When did you last see your son?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): He visited us around Thanksgiving. But I haven't heard from him since then.
MALONEY: Do you know where he's living now?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): I have no idea.
MALONEY: Aren't you worried about what might happen to him?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): I worry constantly about him.
MALONEY: Did he ever talk about any of the Weather fugitives when he visited you?
INT. GREENBERGS' APARTMENT--DAY
Greenberg's Mother grimaces.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: I can't answer anymore of your questions now. I just got out of the hospital and I feel very weak. Please go away.
Greenberg's Mother walks slowly back to bedroom.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
MALONEY: We're sorry to hear that. But we only have a few more questions. Do you think it's more likely that he'd be living in San Francisco than in Chicago now?...Mrs. Greenberg?...Are you there Mrs. Greenberg?
Maloney shrugs.
MALONEY (CONT'D): Let's get going.
KELLY: Should I ask O'Connor to put a tap on her phone?
MALONEY: Might as well. Let's see who she calls. And what she tells other people about her son.
EXT. ANN ARBOR STREET--DAY
Jim is walking from campus toward downtown Ann Arbor. Car pulls up beside him and honks. Jim looks up towards the car.
INT. JULIE'S CAR--DAY
Julie sits in driver's seat. Smiling, she rolls up window.
JULIE: Jim!
EXT. ANN ARBOR STREET--DAY
JIM: Julie! How have you been?
Jim walks over to car.
JULIE: I've been looking for you. Hal gave me a check for you from the Black Economic Development Council. To pay for that great research you gave me on the University of Michigan's President's Club.
JIM: A check? I didn't expect any money for that research.
JULIE: The check's at my house. Hop in! I'll drive you over there now, so I can give it to you.
Jim gets in car. Car moves forward.
INT. JULIE'S CAR--DAY
JULIE: I haven't seen you in the "Ann Arbor Power Structure" class lately.
JIM: I've been busy going to the People Against The Air War meetings.
JULIE: We can still use you in the class. To do more research on white church property and stock investment in Ann Arbor.
JIM: I probably won't be able to make anymore classes, Julie. But I'll let you know if I come across any new information in the library on the white churches.
EXT. HOUSE--DAY
After Julie parks car in front, Jim follows Julie into house.
INT. JULIE'S APARTMENT--DAY
Jim follows Julie into apartment.
JULIE: Have a seat, while I get the check.
Julie points to sofa in sparsely furnished living room. Jim sits down and looks around room while Julie goes into her bedroom. On living room wall, there's a poster of African-American man and a poster of a Vietnamese woman. Julie returns from bedroom with a check in her hand, and she sits down next to him.
JULIE (CONT'D): Here it is.
Julie hands Jim the check.
C.U. CHECK
The check is for $200. It is made out to "Jim Wilson" and is signed "Hal Thompson."
JIM (V.O.): That's very generous of Hal.
Jim puts check in his pocket.
JULIE: Hal was very pleased with the research you did.
JIM: How did you come to get involved with the Black Economic Development Council?
JULIE: I was very religious. Then Hal and the Black Economic Development Council started reading the Black Manifesto in the local churches. Which demanded reparations for the years of slavery. I felt a responsibility to get involved.
JIM: Are you from Michigan?
JULIE: No. I grew up in Delaware. In Wilmington.
JIM: What does your father do?
JULIE: He's an executive with DuPont.
JIM: DuPont?...I guess he doesn't like you to be so involved with the Black Economic Development Council.
JULIE: I don't tell him much about what I do these days. He thinks I spend all my time studying hard so I can get into a good law school.
Jim laughs.
JIM: I guess he wouldn't understand if you told him that you're able to learn more by hanging out with Hal than by studying to get into law school.
JULIE: No. He wouldn't understand. He's religious. But he's still just a liberal Republican in his politics. And he still thinks there's nothing morally wrong about working for DuPont.
JIM: Well, at least his DuPont mentality didn't stop you from turning out the way you did. You know, I still like you a lot, Julie.
Julie touches Jim fondly.
JULIE: Then why haven't you been coming the the power structure research workshop class lately?
JIM: I think the War is still the main issue.
Julie backs away from Jim.
JULIE: But what about racism?
JIM: I think it's important to raise that issue, too. But at this moment, I think we have to stand by our Indochinese sisters and brothers until the Pentagon stops bombing them.
JULIE: That's not what Hal thinks.
JIM: The mass base Hal is attempting to organize may have different priorities than the mass base I'm trying to organize.
JULIE: Well, I guess only time will tell what the mass organizing focus around Ann Arbor should be..You want me to drive you back to the campus now, Jim?
JIM: If you're going that way.
JULIE: It's not out of the way. I have to pick Hal up at the library downtown. There's another church meeting in Ypsilanti tonight.
JIM: Oh, that's too bad. I would have invited you to come hear me sing at the Ark Coffeehouse. Tonight it's "Open Mike Night".
JULIE: That's nice to know. But the one time I went to hear music at the Ark Coffeehouse, I was bored out of my mind.
Julie walks towards apartment door and Jim follows her out of the apartment.
Maloney and Kelly walk slowly down hallway and stop in front of Apt. 1-H. Kelly rings doorbell.
NEIGHBOR (O.S.): (man's voice) Who is it?
NEIGHBOR, 75, has no foreign accent.
KELLY: It's the FBI. We'd like to speak with you.
Neighbor opens apartment door.
INT. LIVING ROOM--DAY
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE, 72, turns off television set.
NEIGHBOR: Have a seat.
Maloney and Kelly enter apartment and sit down on couch. Neighbor sits down on chair next to his wife.
NEIGHBOR (CONT'D): How can we help you?
KELLY: We'd like to ask you some questions about your neighbors in Apartment 1-G. The Greenbergs. Do you know them?
NEIGHBOR: We say hello to each other in the hall.
MALONEY: How are they as neighbors?
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: They're good neighbors. They're very quiet. We've never had any trouble with them.
KELLY: How long have the Greenbergs been your neighbors?
NEIGHBOR: Two years. Maybe three years.
MALONEY: Have you ever seen their son?
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: I saw him a few times around Thanksgiving. When he was staying over to visit them.
NEIGHBOR: I bumped into him in the hall a few times.
KELLY: What did he look like?
NEIGHBOR: He has long, kinky hair and a mustache.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: He looks like a hippie.
KELLY: Do you know whether he owns a car or has a driver's license?
NEIGHBOR: I don't know.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: I wouldn't know anything about that.
KELLY: Did you ever notice him getting any visitors at his parent's apartment when he would stay there?
NEIGHBOR: I never saw him in the hall with any visitors.
KELLY: We have some photographs of some Weather fugitives that we'd like you to look at now. We think the Greenbergs' son is helping them hide out.
Kelly shows them a photograph.
C.U. PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUNG MAN
KELLY (CONT'D) (V.O.): Have you ever seen him around this building?
NEIGHBOR (V.O.): Not around this building. Just on TV.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE (V.O.): Just in the newspapers and on TV.
C.U. PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUNG WOMAN
KELLY (V.O.): What about her?
NEIGHBOR (V.O.): Never saw her before.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE (V.O.): I never saw her around this building.
Maloney and Kelly stand.
KELLY: Well, that's all the questions we have for now. But we'd like you to let us know if you see the Greenbergs' son visiting them again.
NEIGHBOR: We'll be watching out for him. If you want us to.
KELLY: Let me take down your phone number. We'll be telephoning you from time to time.
NEIGHBOR: Our phone number is 459-6008.
MALONEY: Well, thank you for your cooperation. If all citizens were as cooperative as you, senior citizens wouldn't have to be afraid of being mugged on the street.
KELLY: Have a good day!
NEIGHBOR: Same to you.
Maloney and Kelly leave apartment. Neighbor closes door.
NEIGHBOR'S WIFE: It's like Nazi Germany. Now we have to spy on our neighbors.
NEIGHBOR: We have no choice. If we don't cooperate with them, they might get nosey about Alfredo's construction business.
INT. GREENBERGS' APARTMENT--DAY
GREENBERG'S MOTHER, 50, is a physically attractive women who wears slacks. She is stretched out on her bed reading a library book.
C.U. BOOK COVER of "Eleanor Roosevelt's Autobiography"
Sound of doorbell buzz. Greenberg's Mother slowly gets up from bed, walks from bedroom into living room and to door.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: Who is it?
MALONEY (O.S.): It's the FBI. We'd like to speak with James Greenberg.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: I don't know where he is.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
MALONEY: Are you his mother?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): Yes, I am.
MALONEY: And you're Mrs. Jacob Greenberg?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): Yes.
MALONEY: May we come in and speak with you for a few minutes, Mrs. Greenberg?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): No.
MALONEY: When did you last see your son?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): He visited us around Thanksgiving. But I haven't heard from him since then.
MALONEY: Do you know where he's living now?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): I have no idea.
MALONEY: Aren't you worried about what might happen to him?
GREENBERG'S MOTHER (O.S.): I worry constantly about him.
MALONEY: Did he ever talk about any of the Weather fugitives when he visited you?
INT. GREENBERGS' APARTMENT--DAY
Greenberg's Mother grimaces.
GREENBERG'S MOTHER: I can't answer anymore of your questions now. I just got out of the hospital and I feel very weak. Please go away.
Greenberg's Mother walks slowly back to bedroom.
INT. HALLWAY--DAY
MALONEY: We're sorry to hear that. But we only have a few more questions. Do you think it's more likely that he'd be living in San Francisco than in Chicago now?...Mrs. Greenberg?...Are you there Mrs. Greenberg?
Maloney shrugs.
MALONEY (CONT'D): Let's get going.
KELLY: Should I ask O'Connor to put a tap on her phone?
MALONEY: Might as well. Let's see who she calls. And what she tells other people about her son.
EXT. ANN ARBOR STREET--DAY
Jim is walking from campus toward downtown Ann Arbor. Car pulls up beside him and honks. Jim looks up towards the car.
INT. JULIE'S CAR--DAY
Julie sits in driver's seat. Smiling, she rolls up window.
JULIE: Jim!
EXT. ANN ARBOR STREET--DAY
JIM: Julie! How have you been?
Jim walks over to car.
JULIE: I've been looking for you. Hal gave me a check for you from the Black Economic Development Council. To pay for that great research you gave me on the University of Michigan's President's Club.
JIM: A check? I didn't expect any money for that research.
JULIE: The check's at my house. Hop in! I'll drive you over there now, so I can give it to you.
Jim gets in car. Car moves forward.
INT. JULIE'S CAR--DAY
JULIE: I haven't seen you in the "Ann Arbor Power Structure" class lately.
JIM: I've been busy going to the People Against The Air War meetings.
JULIE: We can still use you in the class. To do more research on white church property and stock investment in Ann Arbor.
JIM: I probably won't be able to make anymore classes, Julie. But I'll let you know if I come across any new information in the library on the white churches.
EXT. HOUSE--DAY
After Julie parks car in front, Jim follows Julie into house.
INT. JULIE'S APARTMENT--DAY
Jim follows Julie into apartment.
JULIE: Have a seat, while I get the check.
Julie points to sofa in sparsely furnished living room. Jim sits down and looks around room while Julie goes into her bedroom. On living room wall, there's a poster of African-American man and a poster of a Vietnamese woman. Julie returns from bedroom with a check in her hand, and she sits down next to him.
JULIE (CONT'D): Here it is.
Julie hands Jim the check.
C.U. CHECK
The check is for $200. It is made out to "Jim Wilson" and is signed "Hal Thompson."
JIM (V.O.): That's very generous of Hal.
Jim puts check in his pocket.
JULIE: Hal was very pleased with the research you did.
JIM: How did you come to get involved with the Black Economic Development Council?
JULIE: I was very religious. Then Hal and the Black Economic Development Council started reading the Black Manifesto in the local churches. Which demanded reparations for the years of slavery. I felt a responsibility to get involved.
JIM: Are you from Michigan?
JULIE: No. I grew up in Delaware. In Wilmington.
JIM: What does your father do?
JULIE: He's an executive with DuPont.
JIM: DuPont?...I guess he doesn't like you to be so involved with the Black Economic Development Council.
JULIE: I don't tell him much about what I do these days. He thinks I spend all my time studying hard so I can get into a good law school.
Jim laughs.
JIM: I guess he wouldn't understand if you told him that you're able to learn more by hanging out with Hal than by studying to get into law school.
JULIE: No. He wouldn't understand. He's religious. But he's still just a liberal Republican in his politics. And he still thinks there's nothing morally wrong about working for DuPont.
JIM: Well, at least his DuPont mentality didn't stop you from turning out the way you did. You know, I still like you a lot, Julie.
Julie touches Jim fondly.
JULIE: Then why haven't you been coming the the power structure research workshop class lately?
JIM: I think the War is still the main issue.
Julie backs away from Jim.
JULIE: But what about racism?
JIM: I think it's important to raise that issue, too. But at this moment, I think we have to stand by our Indochinese sisters and brothers until the Pentagon stops bombing them.
JULIE: That's not what Hal thinks.
JIM: The mass base Hal is attempting to organize may have different priorities than the mass base I'm trying to organize.
JULIE: Well, I guess only time will tell what the mass organizing focus around Ann Arbor should be..You want me to drive you back to the campus now, Jim?
JIM: If you're going that way.
JULIE: It's not out of the way. I have to pick Hal up at the library downtown. There's another church meeting in Ypsilanti tonight.
JIM: Oh, that's too bad. I would have invited you to come hear me sing at the Ark Coffeehouse. Tonight it's "Open Mike Night".
JULIE: That's nice to know. But the one time I went to hear music at the Ark Coffeehouse, I was bored out of my mind.
Julie walks towards apartment door and Jim follows her out of the apartment.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Fugitive Generation (xvii)
INT. AUDITORIUM--NIGHT
AIR FORCE COLONEL WASHINGTON, 53, is standing on stage, behind speaker's podium. University of Michigan PRESIDENT FLAME, 61, sits in chair behind podium. Dressed-up people over 40 years of age are sitting in audience listening attentively.
Jim, Marlene, Rachel and other People Against The Air War members enter the auditorium. Quietly, they sit down in rear of the auditorium.
AIR FORCE COLONEL WASHINGTON: We have an obligation not only to ourselves, but to future generations, to keep our New Military the strongest military in the world. And I am sure that the University of Michigan will continue to serve our great country. By continuing to provide the Department of Defense with the technology it needs to do its job in the future.
The audience applauds. While it's applauding, Marlene walks down the side aisle of the auditorium quickly and onto the stage. She is carrying slide show equipment. Once on the stage, she puts slide show equipment on the floor.
MARLENE: Hello. Some of us from the People Against The Air War came here tonight because we're opposed to what the Air Force is continuing to do in Indochina. We want to show you our slide show about the automated air war which continues to be waged in Indochina.
President Flame stands up and walks to podium, next to Air Force Colonel Washington.
PRESIDENT FLAME: People came tonight to hear the speaker talk about "The New Military and The University." Not to hear a debate on the war. If you people want to show your slide show, you can hold your own meeting some other time.
The audience applauds President Flame. After applause ends, Jim stands up in rear of auditorium.
JIM: (shouts out) Let her show her slide show! People at this meeting have a right to see the slide show! And students on this campus have a right to ask this guy why his military is still bombing our sisters and brothers in Indochina?
The People Against The Air War students applaud. An ELDERLY VETERAN, in a suit and tie, starts to yell from his seat.
ELDERLY VETERAN: (yells) Sit down, ya bum! We didn't come to listen to you!
JIM: The Colonel had his chance to speak. Now People Against The Air War should get a chance to show you the slide show.
Elderly Veteran gets up from seat and approaches Jim in an enraged, menacing way. Marlene quickly runs off stage, blocks Elderly Veteran's path towards Jim, and positions her body in a self-defense, karate stance. Elderly Veteran attempts to push past Marlene. But Marlene pushes him back. Elderly Veteran pushes harder again against Marlene. But again Marlene shoves him back.
After the second, longer shoving exchange with Marlene, the Elderly Veteran clenches his fists. But by then, four male anti-war students have surrounded him. Elderly Veteran looks at them and returns to his seat.
President Flame confers with Air Force Colonel Washington on stage, then faces audience again.
PRESIDENT FLAME: On behalf of the University of Michigan, I'd like to apologize for this disgraceful disruption. Because of this disruption, we've decided to cancel the question and answer period we had scheduled. Let's thank our speaker for his informative lecture.
Some scattered applause. Then people begin standing up and leaving.
MARLENE: Let's go to the "Michigan Daily" office and tell them what happened.
INT. COLLEGE NEWSPAPER OFFICE--NIGHT
Marlene is being interviewed by WOMAN EDITOR of "Michigan Daily." Jim, Rachel and some other members of People Against The Air War are conversing near office door.
INT. STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICE--NIGHT
Jim helps Marlene put slide show equipment in back office. They're each laughing.
JIM: Do you feel like going out to get some coffee and cake with me? To celebrate you protecting me from that right-wing hothead.
MARLENE: O.K. That sounds like it would be fun.
Marlene switches off office lights.
INT. COFFEESHOP--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim are sitting in a booth, talking and laughing while eating cake.
MARLENE: What do you do when you're not doing anti-war work?
JIM: Well, I'm actually a musician. A folksinger.
MARLENE: I guess that's more fun than being a student.
JIM: A lot more fun. But I don't really write folk songs for money. I do it either to use music to raise consciousness or to just express my feelings.
MARLENE: Those sound like good reasonss. But what brought you to Ann Arbor?
JIM: I couldn't afford Berkeley. And I wanted to get away from the East Coast. So it was either Madison or Ann Arbor. And Ann Arbor is closer to the East Coast than Madison is. The only place to live these days is in a youth ghetto. Even though it is a fantasy world.
MARLENE: What do you mean when you say "fantasy world"?
JIM: Once you get off-campus and have to work 9 to 5, you're involved in a real death culture. The campus world is a fantasy world. The real world of 9 to 5 work is a death culture.
MARLENE: Where are you living?
JIM: Just a few blocks away. On Joseph Place. I rent a room in a divided-up house. Do you want to walk over there and check it out?
MARLENE: O.K. But I can't stay too long, since I have to get up early. For a women's student union meeting tomorrow morning.
The WAITRESS places check on table. Jim picks up check.
MARLENE: I'll pay half the check.
Jim reads check.
JIM: Your share, with the tip, is a dollar-fifty.
Marlene hands Jim $1.50. Jim places $3.00 on table. Then they leave coffeeshop.
EXT. STREET--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim walk slowly, while laughing and talking.
EXT. JOSEPH PLACE HOUSE--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim go inside.
INT. HALLWAY--NIGHT
Jim and Marlene stand in front of door to Jim's room. Jim turns key.
JIM: It's not too large a room. But it's comfortable.
Jim opens door.
INT. JIM'S ROOM--NIGHT
Marlene smiles.
MARLENE: So this is where you live.
JIM: Have a seat!
Jim motions for Marlene to sit down on the chair, takes off his jacket and sits down on the mattress. Marlene leaves her coat on.
JIM (CONT'D): Tell me, Marlene. What keeps someone like you so committed to the anti-war movement? I mean, where do you get all your energy for activism from?
MARLENE: It's the people. The people you meet in the anti-war movement seem to be better people. They're the people I most like to have around me. It's the people that keep me going.
JIM: I guess I feel that way, too. Maybe that's why we were meant to do anti-war work together.
MARLENE: Well, that's one way of explaining it.
Marlene gets up from chair.
MARLENE (CONT'D): I should get going now. If I want to be able to get up for that meeting tomorrow.
Marlene walks toward door, while Jim stands up.
JIM: You sure you don't want me to walk you home?
Marlene shakes her head.
MARLENE: It's only a few blocks away.
Marlene and Jim then exchange glances. Marlene gives Jim a kiss and a big hug. Jim kisses and hugs here in return. They kiss and embrace each other passionately by the door. Marlene then suddenly steps back.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Goodnight, Jim. I'll see you by the table Monday morning.
Marlene opens door.
JIM: Have a good meeting tomorrow, Marlene.
Marlene leaves. Jim closes door and takes out guitar.
INT. JIM'S ROOM--NIGHT
Jim writes on a piece of paper. Then he puts paper on floor, picks up guitar and reads from paper as he sings softly.
JIM: (sings softly)
"Oh, you've won my heart
With your softness
Kind, gentle blond-haired
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
It's been so long
Since I felt love
Compassionate, soulful
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
(chorus)
I'm a working-class lover
You're the fairest I see
I got sisters and brothers
You're the one most like me.
(more verses)
Hearing your voice
Feeling you close
Makes me just think of
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
Watching you shine
Moves me inside
Wanting to just kiss
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene. (chorus)
Against the war
Serving the poor
Overwhelmed by your beauty
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
So brave and strong
Romance reborn
I'm madly in love with
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene. (chorus)
EXT. LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY--DAY
Maloney drives car, with Kelly in front seat, on Long Island Expressway.
EXT. EXIT SIGN FOR UTOPIA PARKWAY--DAY
Car leaves Long Island Expressway.
EXT. QUEENS APARTMENT BUILDING--DAY
Car stops in front of high-rise Queens apartment building.
INT. CAR--DAY
MALONEY: What's the address again?
Kelly looks at paper in his hand.
KELLY: One-Eighty-Nine-O-Four.
MALONEY: Which one of these buildings is that?
KELLY: That one on the right.
Maloney parks car.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING--DAY
Maloney and Kelly walk into building lobby.
INT. BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Maloney and Kelly stand in front of apartment mailboxes.
C.U. WALL OF MAILBOXES--DAY
MALONEY (V.O.): There are six different apartments where the last name is "Greenberg" in this building.
KELLY: The Greenberg we want lived in apartment 1-G.
MALONEY: Let's see if their neighbor knows anything.
AIR FORCE COLONEL WASHINGTON, 53, is standing on stage, behind speaker's podium. University of Michigan PRESIDENT FLAME, 61, sits in chair behind podium. Dressed-up people over 40 years of age are sitting in audience listening attentively.
Jim, Marlene, Rachel and other People Against The Air War members enter the auditorium. Quietly, they sit down in rear of the auditorium.
AIR FORCE COLONEL WASHINGTON: We have an obligation not only to ourselves, but to future generations, to keep our New Military the strongest military in the world. And I am sure that the University of Michigan will continue to serve our great country. By continuing to provide the Department of Defense with the technology it needs to do its job in the future.
The audience applauds. While it's applauding, Marlene walks down the side aisle of the auditorium quickly and onto the stage. She is carrying slide show equipment. Once on the stage, she puts slide show equipment on the floor.
MARLENE: Hello. Some of us from the People Against The Air War came here tonight because we're opposed to what the Air Force is continuing to do in Indochina. We want to show you our slide show about the automated air war which continues to be waged in Indochina.
President Flame stands up and walks to podium, next to Air Force Colonel Washington.
PRESIDENT FLAME: People came tonight to hear the speaker talk about "The New Military and The University." Not to hear a debate on the war. If you people want to show your slide show, you can hold your own meeting some other time.
The audience applauds President Flame. After applause ends, Jim stands up in rear of auditorium.
JIM: (shouts out) Let her show her slide show! People at this meeting have a right to see the slide show! And students on this campus have a right to ask this guy why his military is still bombing our sisters and brothers in Indochina?
The People Against The Air War students applaud. An ELDERLY VETERAN, in a suit and tie, starts to yell from his seat.
ELDERLY VETERAN: (yells) Sit down, ya bum! We didn't come to listen to you!
JIM: The Colonel had his chance to speak. Now People Against The Air War should get a chance to show you the slide show.
Elderly Veteran gets up from seat and approaches Jim in an enraged, menacing way. Marlene quickly runs off stage, blocks Elderly Veteran's path towards Jim, and positions her body in a self-defense, karate stance. Elderly Veteran attempts to push past Marlene. But Marlene pushes him back. Elderly Veteran pushes harder again against Marlene. But again Marlene shoves him back.
After the second, longer shoving exchange with Marlene, the Elderly Veteran clenches his fists. But by then, four male anti-war students have surrounded him. Elderly Veteran looks at them and returns to his seat.
President Flame confers with Air Force Colonel Washington on stage, then faces audience again.
PRESIDENT FLAME: On behalf of the University of Michigan, I'd like to apologize for this disgraceful disruption. Because of this disruption, we've decided to cancel the question and answer period we had scheduled. Let's thank our speaker for his informative lecture.
Some scattered applause. Then people begin standing up and leaving.
MARLENE: Let's go to the "Michigan Daily" office and tell them what happened.
INT. COLLEGE NEWSPAPER OFFICE--NIGHT
Marlene is being interviewed by WOMAN EDITOR of "Michigan Daily." Jim, Rachel and some other members of People Against The Air War are conversing near office door.
INT. STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICE--NIGHT
Jim helps Marlene put slide show equipment in back office. They're each laughing.
JIM: Do you feel like going out to get some coffee and cake with me? To celebrate you protecting me from that right-wing hothead.
MARLENE: O.K. That sounds like it would be fun.
Marlene switches off office lights.
INT. COFFEESHOP--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim are sitting in a booth, talking and laughing while eating cake.
MARLENE: What do you do when you're not doing anti-war work?
JIM: Well, I'm actually a musician. A folksinger.
MARLENE: I guess that's more fun than being a student.
JIM: A lot more fun. But I don't really write folk songs for money. I do it either to use music to raise consciousness or to just express my feelings.
MARLENE: Those sound like good reasonss. But what brought you to Ann Arbor?
JIM: I couldn't afford Berkeley. And I wanted to get away from the East Coast. So it was either Madison or Ann Arbor. And Ann Arbor is closer to the East Coast than Madison is. The only place to live these days is in a youth ghetto. Even though it is a fantasy world.
MARLENE: What do you mean when you say "fantasy world"?
JIM: Once you get off-campus and have to work 9 to 5, you're involved in a real death culture. The campus world is a fantasy world. The real world of 9 to 5 work is a death culture.
MARLENE: Where are you living?
JIM: Just a few blocks away. On Joseph Place. I rent a room in a divided-up house. Do you want to walk over there and check it out?
MARLENE: O.K. But I can't stay too long, since I have to get up early. For a women's student union meeting tomorrow morning.
The WAITRESS places check on table. Jim picks up check.
MARLENE: I'll pay half the check.
Jim reads check.
JIM: Your share, with the tip, is a dollar-fifty.
Marlene hands Jim $1.50. Jim places $3.00 on table. Then they leave coffeeshop.
EXT. STREET--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim walk slowly, while laughing and talking.
EXT. JOSEPH PLACE HOUSE--NIGHT
Marlene and Jim go inside.
INT. HALLWAY--NIGHT
Jim and Marlene stand in front of door to Jim's room. Jim turns key.
JIM: It's not too large a room. But it's comfortable.
Jim opens door.
INT. JIM'S ROOM--NIGHT
Marlene smiles.
MARLENE: So this is where you live.
JIM: Have a seat!
Jim motions for Marlene to sit down on the chair, takes off his jacket and sits down on the mattress. Marlene leaves her coat on.
JIM (CONT'D): Tell me, Marlene. What keeps someone like you so committed to the anti-war movement? I mean, where do you get all your energy for activism from?
MARLENE: It's the people. The people you meet in the anti-war movement seem to be better people. They're the people I most like to have around me. It's the people that keep me going.
JIM: I guess I feel that way, too. Maybe that's why we were meant to do anti-war work together.
MARLENE: Well, that's one way of explaining it.
Marlene gets up from chair.
MARLENE (CONT'D): I should get going now. If I want to be able to get up for that meeting tomorrow.
Marlene walks toward door, while Jim stands up.
JIM: You sure you don't want me to walk you home?
Marlene shakes her head.
MARLENE: It's only a few blocks away.
Marlene and Jim then exchange glances. Marlene gives Jim a kiss and a big hug. Jim kisses and hugs here in return. They kiss and embrace each other passionately by the door. Marlene then suddenly steps back.
MARLENE (CONT'D): Goodnight, Jim. I'll see you by the table Monday morning.
Marlene opens door.
JIM: Have a good meeting tomorrow, Marlene.
Marlene leaves. Jim closes door and takes out guitar.
INT. JIM'S ROOM--NIGHT
Jim writes on a piece of paper. Then he puts paper on floor, picks up guitar and reads from paper as he sings softly.
JIM: (sings softly)
"Oh, you've won my heart
With your softness
Kind, gentle blond-haired
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
It's been so long
Since I felt love
Compassionate, soulful
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
(chorus)
I'm a working-class lover
You're the fairest I see
I got sisters and brothers
You're the one most like me.
(more verses)
Hearing your voice
Feeling you close
Makes me just think of
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
Watching you shine
Moves me inside
Wanting to just kiss
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene. (chorus)
Against the war
Serving the poor
Overwhelmed by your beauty
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene.
So brave and strong
Romance reborn
I'm madly in love with
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene, Marlene,
Marlene, Marlene, Marlene. (chorus)
EXT. LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY--DAY
Maloney drives car, with Kelly in front seat, on Long Island Expressway.
EXT. EXIT SIGN FOR UTOPIA PARKWAY--DAY
Car leaves Long Island Expressway.
EXT. QUEENS APARTMENT BUILDING--DAY
Car stops in front of high-rise Queens apartment building.
INT. CAR--DAY
MALONEY: What's the address again?
Kelly looks at paper in his hand.
KELLY: One-Eighty-Nine-O-Four.
MALONEY: Which one of these buildings is that?
KELLY: That one on the right.
Maloney parks car.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING--DAY
Maloney and Kelly walk into building lobby.
INT. BUILDING LOBBY--DAY
Maloney and Kelly stand in front of apartment mailboxes.
C.U. WALL OF MAILBOXES--DAY
MALONEY (V.O.): There are six different apartments where the last name is "Greenberg" in this building.
KELLY: The Greenberg we want lived in apartment 1-G.
MALONEY: Let's see if their neighbor knows anything.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Fugitive Generation (xvi)
INT. HEALTH FOOD RESTAURANT--DAY
Jim and Marlene converse as they eat lunch. Both smile and laugh frequently.
JIM: How did you come to get so politically active?
MARLENE: I guess it was the War. When I was a freshman, the SDS chapter was already broken up. But I was against the War. And when they invaded Cambodia and shot the students at Kent State and Jackson State, I really got active and radicalized.
JIM: What were you into before you got into activism?
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: Oh, I was your All-American girl in high school. Cheerleader. Prom queen. In all the clubs.
JIM: I'm glad you became radicalized. The cheerleaders I knew in high school never got involved in the anti-war movement.
MARLENE: Most of my old high school girlfriends didn't get involved either.
JIM: Do you know what you're going to do after you graduate?
MARLENE: I don't know. Maybe teach. I try not to think about it.
JIM: I don't blame you. It's a real death culture out there. Once you get off campus you realize what a fantasy world a place like Ann Arbor is.
Rachel enters restaurant.
RACHEL: Hey, Marlene? Did you see this?
Rachel reads aloud from the "Michigan Daily" student newspaper.
RACHEL (CONT'D): "Air Force Colonel Washington will be speaking about `The New Military' on Friday night."
MARLENE: Why don't you bring it up at the People Against The Air War meeting tonight? Maybe people will want to have a picket?
Jim smiles.
INT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING LOUNGE--NIGHT
About 25 students are sitting around in a circle on floor of lounge, listening to Jim speak.
JIM: I think we can be more effective if we do more than picket outside. I think we should go inside the auditorium to show the slide show about the air war. And then debate the morality of the war with the Air Force Colonel.
MARLENE: I call myself. I like that idea. If the Colonel is willing to speak on campus, then he should be willing to debate the air war with students on campus.
Jim and Marlene converse as they eat lunch. Both smile and laugh frequently.
JIM: How did you come to get so politically active?
MARLENE: I guess it was the War. When I was a freshman, the SDS chapter was already broken up. But I was against the War. And when they invaded Cambodia and shot the students at Kent State and Jackson State, I really got active and radicalized.
JIM: What were you into before you got into activism?
Marlene laughs.
MARLENE: Oh, I was your All-American girl in high school. Cheerleader. Prom queen. In all the clubs.
JIM: I'm glad you became radicalized. The cheerleaders I knew in high school never got involved in the anti-war movement.
MARLENE: Most of my old high school girlfriends didn't get involved either.
JIM: Do you know what you're going to do after you graduate?
MARLENE: I don't know. Maybe teach. I try not to think about it.
JIM: I don't blame you. It's a real death culture out there. Once you get off campus you realize what a fantasy world a place like Ann Arbor is.
Rachel enters restaurant.
RACHEL: Hey, Marlene? Did you see this?
Rachel reads aloud from the "Michigan Daily" student newspaper.
RACHEL (CONT'D): "Air Force Colonel Washington will be speaking about `The New Military' on Friday night."
MARLENE: Why don't you bring it up at the People Against The Air War meeting tonight? Maybe people will want to have a picket?
Jim smiles.
INT. STUDENT UNION BUILDING LOUNGE--NIGHT
About 25 students are sitting around in a circle on floor of lounge, listening to Jim speak.
JIM: I think we can be more effective if we do more than picket outside. I think we should go inside the auditorium to show the slide show about the air war. And then debate the morality of the war with the Air Force Colonel.
MARLENE: I call myself. I like that idea. If the Colonel is willing to speak on campus, then he should be willing to debate the air war with students on campus.
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