Story Of My Life Libretto 1yz53

Music and Lyrics by NEIL BARTRAM

Book by BRIAN HILL

Copyright Neil Bartram & Brian Hill

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

Pg. 2

CHARACTERS Two men of the same age. THOMAS WEAVER - 35-45 - A successful and charismatic writer of inspirational stories, who has embraced success at the expense of his personal life. ALVIN KELBY - 35-45 - Thomas's best friend from childhood to adulthood. A youthful, childlike and sensitive free spirit with a unique perspective on life.


Pg. 3

THE STORY OF MY LIFE A small town funeral chapel with a doorway, a table, a chair and a podium. THOMAS WEAVER enters dressed in an expensive black suit and carrying a briefcase. He stops in the doorway. He is very familiar with this place. As he takes in his surroundings he recalls the hushed voices of two twelveyear-old boys. YOUNG THOMAS (Voice Over) People say nice things when you die. YOUNG ALVIN (VO) They call it a eulogy. YOUNG ALVIN is struck with an idea. Hey! I’ll do yours if you do mine. YOUNG THOMAS (VO) How’s that gonna work? YOUNG ALVIN (VO) Oh. Right. THOMAS smiles and makes his way to the podium. How about whichever comes first? Deal? YOUNG THOMAS (VO) If I say yes can I go? YOUNG ALVIN (VO) Yes. THOMAS opens his briefcase and takes out a notebook. He opens the notebook and reads as though addressing a congregation. THOMAS We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. He was my best friend. He takes a pen from his jacket pocket and makes a correction. It becomes clear that he isn't delivering the eulogy but is in the process of writing it.


Pg. 4

THOMAS (cont'd) My good friend. He corrects the correction. My oldest friend. My 'insert-adjective-later' friend. He tears this page from the book and makes a new attempt. Thank you for coming. As kids, Alvin Kelby and I had a Christmas Eve tradition of making snow angels and watching Frank Capra's film, It's A Wonderful Life, in which, you may recall, the inconsequential George Bailey is saved by an angel, named Clarence, from... THOMAS realizes where this story is going. ... jumping off a bridge on Christmas Eve. He tries to continue. The irony that this particular story should be Alvin's favorite... He gives up, tears the page from his book and discards it. He writes. Hello. My name is Thomas Weaver. I’m a multi-award-winning, best-selling author and I have absolutely no idea what to write. He stares at his notebook. Write what you know, Tom. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. THOMAS writes. WE MET IN FIRST GRADE. WE WERE FRIENDS FOR YEARS. GOOD FRIENDS. INSEPARABLE. He stops writing.


Pg. 5

THOMAS (cont'd) THAT MUCH I KNOW. THAT MUCH I KNOW. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, TOM. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. He writes. HE WAS A SMART KID. HE WAS SORT OF ODD. He reconsiders his choice of words. No. Interesting. He finally decides on... No. Odd. HE WORKED IN HIS FATHER’S BOOKSTORE. HIS FATHER GOT SICK. He stops writing. THAT MUCH I KNOW. THAT MUCH I KNOW. BUT THAT’S NOT THE STORY. THIS IS JUST FACT. WHAT WAS THE CRISIS THAT WENT UNDETECTED? WHEN WAS THE INSTANT IT SPLINTERED AND CRACKED? WHAT WAS THE MOMENT? I MISSED IT SOMEHOW AND IF I COULD NARROW IT DOWN TO A MOMENT, WHAT GOOD IS KNOWING THAT NOW? WHAT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY? WHAT DID I OWE? AM I TO BLAME FOR ALL OF THE DETAILS I’LL NEVER KNOW? BUT HOW COULD I KNOW? He returns to his notebook.


Pg. 6

THOMAS (cont'd) WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, TOM. He writes. I WENT TO COLLEGE ALVIN STAYED BEHIND. HIS FATHER ED AWAY. I LEFT HIM HERE ALONE. He stops writing. THAT MUCH I KNOW. THAT MUCH I KNOW. SOME LIVES HURTLE FORWARD AND SOME NEVER BUDGE AND SOMETIMES A LIFE TAKES A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH AN INNOCUOUS INNOCENT NUDGE. DID I DO THE NUDGING WHEN HIS LIFE CAREENED? NOW HOW DO I BOUNCE THROUGH A LIFETIME TO PINPOINT WHEN I SHOULD HAVE INTERVENED? WHERE IS THAT STORY? WHAT SHOULD I SAY? I'VE GOTTA DO THIS RIGHT, ALVIN. I’VE GOTTA FIND THE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THAT BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY. THOMAS tears the page from his notebook. The walls of the funeral chapel fade and THOMAS is transported into the landscape of his own mind. It is filled with massive shelves crammed with papers and books - a lifetime's accumulation of memories and stories. Seated comfortably among them is ALVIN KELBY. THOMAS seems unaware of ALVIN's presence. THOMAS (cont'd) WHAT IS THE MOMENT? WHAT IS THE STORY? USE YOUR OWN WORDS TOM. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. ALVIN indicates the shelves.


Pg. 7

ALVIN There's gotta be thousands of stories in this head of yours, Tom. THOMAS Don't bother me, Alvin. I'm writing. ALVIN looks over THOMAS's shoulder at the notebook. ALVIN No you're not. There's nothing there. THOMAS Writing's a process. Words are just the final step. Now be quiet. ALVIN I'm just trying to help. THOMAS glares. Oh. Sorry. If you need me I'll be... sh. THOMAS stares at the blank page. ALVIN tries to stay quiet, but can't. I read somewhere that the human brain re absolutely everything every moment, every detail - and stores them away. Now, everybody has a different way of storing them. Me? You don't want to see the inside of my head. But you - you're a writer. You tuck yours away like little stories. ALVIN turns THOMAS to look at the shelves. Look at them all. ALVIN takes a stack of pages from the shelves. Stories about you... And another. Stories about me... And another. Stories .... And another.


Pg. 8

ALVIN (cont'd) You've got enough raw material in this head of yours for a dozen eulogies. THOMAS I don't need your help, Alvin. I can do this on my own. ALVIN Really? And when was the last time you actually wrote something, Tom? This touches a nerve. Silence. So, here's what we're going to do. We're going to pick a story and you're going to write it down. Then we'll pick another... and another... and another. You get the idea? That's all a eulogy is, Tom. You tell a bunch of stories, save the tear-jerker for the end and... ALVIN sets the stack of stories triumphantly on the table. ... there you have it. My eulogy. The story of my life. Written by best-selling author Thomas Weaver. THOMAS You make it sound so easy. ALVIN Isn't it? THOMAS goes to the table and looks at the stack not knowing how to proceed. Here's a thought. Why don't you begin with this one? ALVIN selects a few pages and hands them to THOMAS. The Beginning. A story about Alvin Kelby. THOMAS I already tried that. We met in first grade. We were friends for years. ALVIN No. No. No. That's not how it goes. Come on. Tell it the way "Thomas Weaver" tells it. The Beginning. A story about Alvin Kelby.


Pg. 9

ALVIN (cont'd) MY MOM ED AWAY IN THE SUMMER I TURNED SIX Write it down. THOMAS Alvin, what's the point? ALVIN Trust me. THOMAS writes in his notebook, sometimes listening to ALVIN's retelling of the story and sometimes referring to the pages that ALVIN has given him. THOMAS Alvin's Mom ed away in the summer he turned six. ALVIN Good. AND LEFT A SINGLE FATHER AND HIS SON. BUT DAD HAD THE BOOKSTORE WITH A LEAKY ROOF TO FIX. SO I WAS ON MY OWN FACING THE UNKNOWN, THE TERRIFYING PROSPECT OF GRADE ONE. BUT AT THE TIME HOW WAS I TO SEE A KIND AND GENTLE SOUL WAS WAITING THERE FOR ME? THOMAS stops writing and begins to enjoy the memory. MRS. REMINGTON, OUR FIRST GRADE TEACHER MADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A BETTER PLACE. BUT HER SINGLE MOST DISTURBING FEATURE WAS THE COARSE BLACK HAIR ON HER FACE. MAYBE SHE WAS MENOPAUSAL. LACK OF ESTROGEN WILL CAUSE A LOT OF ODD CONDITIONS, SOME ACUTE.


Pg. 10

ALVIN (cont'd) THE IRONY WOULD NEVER FAZE HER NAMESAKE OF A FAMOUS RAZOR. AND TO BE SO FACIALLY HIRSUTE. BUT MRS. REMINGTON SMILED AND SHE WOULD BRIGHTEN MY DAY. BACK THEN A TEACHER HUGGED YOU TO MAKE YOU FEEL OKAY. THOUGH MY FACE SORTA STUNG FROM MRS. REMINGTON’S BEARD, WHEN SHE HELD ME, MY PROBLEMS DISAPPEARED. ALVIN sees that THOMAS has stopped writing. Come on. THOMAS writes. MRS. LYNCH WAS AN IGNORAMUS, MR. POLLACK WAS JUST PLAIN MEAN. MRS. REMINGTON WAS NEARLY FAMOUS FOR HER PARTIES AT HALLOWE'EN. PUMPKIN HEADS OF EVERY SHAPE WERE CUT OUT OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER. EACH AND EVERY ONE WOULD BE DISPLAYED. THE HIGHLIGHT FOR THE CHILDREN WAS TO MAKE A REALLY SPECIAL COSTUME FOR THE YEARLY HALLOWE'EN PARADE. MRS. REMINGTON SMILED AND SHE WAS CLEARLY CONTENT AS SHE LOVINGLY PRESIDED OVER THIS, THE MAIN EVENT. SO WE’D NERVOUSLY WALK PAST HER CRITICAL EYES AND WE’D VIE FOR MRS. REMINGTON’S TOP PRIZE. THOMAS attempts to the telling of the story.


Pg. 11

THOMAS There was this one kid wearing cardboard wings, a coat hanger halo, carrying a bell and a home made book that said Tom Sawyer. Nobody had a clue what he was supposed to be. ALVIN Except me. ALVIN sits at the table as though it were a school desk. "Oh, oh, oh, Mrs. Remington!" Pamela Koshan thought he was the Statue of Liberty. "Mrs. Remington, I know!" THOMAS Donnie Carter thought he was a Thanksgiving turkey. ALVIN "Mrs. Remington, I know. He’s Clarence. The angel from It’s A Wonderful Life. He was my mother’s favorite." Silence. THOMAS The class laughed. ALVIN I cried. And Mrs. Remington announced that I was next. BUT MRS. REMINGTON SMILED IN THAT WAY THAT SHE HAD. A SMILE THAT MADE YOU REALIZE THAT THINGS WERE NOT SO BAD. AND I KNEW FROM HER FACE THAT THIS FEELING WOULD . SO I WENT TO TAKE MY TURN BEFORE THE CLASS. THOMAS Those poor kids were still trying to figure out who the heck Clarence was... ALVIN gets up and shuffles to center stage. ALVIN ... when I shuffled onto the platform in fuzzy slippers and bathrobe, with pink sponge curlers in my hair.


Pg. 12

ALVIN (cont'd) "Alvin Kelby," Mrs. Remington said, "And what are you supposed to be?" "I’m a ghost. The ghost of my mother." Silence. LUNCH THAT DAY WAS AWFUL LONELY SITTING BY MYSELF AND ONLY WEARING FUZZY SLIPPERS AND CHENILLE. WHILE ALL THE KIDS WERE MAKING FUN IN CAME MRS. REMINGTON WITH CLARENCE DRAGGING SLOWLY ON HER HEEL. "Clarence," she said, "I’d like you to meet Mrs. Kelby. She’s a big fan of yours." AND MRS. REMINGTON SMILED ‘CAUSE MRS. REMINGTON KNEW THAT THE BATTLEFIELD OF CHILDHOOD WAS EASIER WITH TWO. MRS. REMINGTON WATCHED, AS THE ANGELS DO AND ON HALLOWE'EN THAT YEAR SHE SAW TWO MASKS DISAPPEAR WHEN MY MOTHER MET HER ANGEL He looks directly at THOMAS. AND I MET YOU. Now that's a story. Tell that one and you'll have them in the palm of your hand. THOMAS tosses the pages aside and returns to his notebook. THOMAS THAT'S NOT THE STORY. ALVIN What are you doing? ALVIN retrieves the discarded pages.


Pg. 13

THOMAS WHEN WAS THE INSTANT IT SPLINTERED AND CRACKED? WHAT WAS THE MOMENT? I MISSED IT SOMEHOW ALVIN I can't believe you threw this away. THOMAS AND IF I COULD NARROW IT DOWN TO A MOMENT... ALVIN You want to narrow it down? Fine. Let's jump to the big one. Are you sure you're ready for it? THOMAS What are you talking about? ALVIN tosses aside the 'Mrs. Remington' pages and digs through the stack of papers on the table. ALVIN Where is it? You'd think it'd be a cinch to find. It happened just last week. Unable to find what he is looking for, he scours the shelves as well. He finds a small stack of pages buried deep beneath a larger pile. Oh. You buried this one good and deep. He reads. God's Great Library. A story about Alvin and Thomas. Only a week ago, on Christmas Eve, Alvin stood in this very spot... He sees that THOMAS isn't writing. Write that down. THOMAS writes. THOMAS Only a week ago, on Christmas Eve, Alvin stood in this very spot...


Pg. 14

ALVIN ... honoring the memory of his father. THOMAS ... honoring the memory of his father. ALVIN That was the last time we saw each other. THOMAS stops writing, not wanting to unearth this memory. Keep going. THOMAS resumes writing. THOMAS That was the last time we saw each other. He'd posted a notice in the town paper. "Service to be held at Carter's Funeral Chapel." ALVIN puts down the papers and leaps into the past. ALVIN You're late. THOMAS ignores ALVIN and remains in the present, continuing to tell the story. THOMAS "Eulogy to be written and delivered by best-selling author Thomas Weaver." ALVIN tries to draw THOMAS into the past. ALVIN You're late. THOMAS Only Alvin would a guest speaker in his father’s obituary. ALVIN You’re late. THOMAS is finally drawn into the past. ALVIN rushes to THOMAS and embraces him. THOMAS I know.


Pg. 15

ALVIN Can I hear what you wrote? THOMAS Wow. Right down to business. Don’t worry. You’ll like it. ALVIN I’d like to hear it. THOMAS People are waiting. ALVIN Let them wait. THOMAS takes a sheet of paper out of his pocket and reads. THOMAS “Dear friends and family. We are gathered to pay our respects to Gordon Kelby, a man who devoted his life to the love of books.” ALVIN That’s nice. THOMAS Not that one! THOMAS crumples up his page and throws it away. THOMAS and ALVIN instantly return to the present. THOMAS returns to the podium and his notebook. We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. ALVIN Hm. I guess you're not ready for that one. Well. Where were we? ALVIN digs through the stack of pages and selects another story. He hands it to THOMAS. Ah. How about this? The Greatest Gift. A story about Alvin and Thomas.


Pg. 16

ALVIN (cont'd) Alvin and his father lived on the second floor above his father's bookstore. THOMAS writes in his notebook. THOMAS Alvin and his father lived on the second floor above his father's bookstore. ALVIN It was called The Writer's Block - New and Used Books. THOMAS It was a little turn-of-the-century building that, because of how the streets converged, took up an entire albeit tiny town block. ALVIN Hence the name. THOMAS stops writing. THOMAS The Writer's Block. I just got that. ALVIN You're kidding. THOMAS That store was our refuge from the outside world where Alvin could just be Alvin, and I could marvel at his shameless eccentricity. We spent every possible moment there. ALVIN My father didn't seem to mind. THOMAS Mine didn't seem to notice. The store had a bell attached to the front door. The bookstore bell rings. Whenever it rang, like Pavlov's dog, Alvin would say... ALVIN Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. THOMAS From It's A Wonderful Life. One Christmas Eve, we made our snow angels and watched our Capra film. Then Alvin took me downstairs to the bookstore. We were eleven.


Pg. 17

ALVIN and THOMAS step into the past and into the bookstore. It is closed for the night and very dark. ALVIN Trust me. THOMAS What are we doing? ALVIN We're going to pick out a book for your Christmas present. THOMAS Cool. Which one? ALVIN I don't know, but it's somewhere in this mystical place. THOMAS Mystical place? ALVIN Mystical place. THOMAS It’s a bookstore. ALVIN No. It’s a great and powerful force capable of extraordinary feats. THOMAS steps briefly out of the past. THOMAS Alvin's father was known for having the uncanny knack of finding the perfect book for each of his customers. Of course, Alvin saw things... differently. He steps back into the past. ALVIN A book’s nothing without a reader. Right? THOMAS Right. ALVIN And a reader’s nothing without a book. Right?


Pg. 18

THOMAS (eagerly ing in) Like if a tree falls in the forest. ALVIN Okay. ALVIN gets things back on track. This place has the power to one to the other in a perfect, life-altering combination. EVERY DAY PEOPLE COME INTO THIS BOOKSTORE. NEVER KNOWING IT WAS BUILT ON SACRED HOLLOWED GROUND. THOMAS Don't you mean “hallowed”? ALVIN THEY TRAVEL HERE FROM ALL AROUND. POOR SOULS LOOKING FOR STORIES. THOMAS Where's my present? ALVIN These desperate pilgrims enter this shrine. He opens the "door". The bell rings. My father says... “GOOD AFTERNOON,” Or “morning” as the case may be. “I’M THE OWNER OF THIS BOOKSTORE. CAN I HELP YOU PLEASE?” AND THEY SAY, “NOT RIGHT NOW SIR, THANKS A LOT. BUT I’LL PERUSE THE BOOKS YOU’VE GOT. I’M JUST LOOKING FOR STORIES.” SO DAD ALLOWS THEM TO SEARCH THE STACKS. He acts this out.


Pg. 19

ALVIN (cont'd) AND THEY HUNT AND BROWSE AND THEY READ THE BACKS. BUT EVENTUALLY, INEVITABLY, THEY ASK FOR DAD’S ADVICE. They talk a little. THEN HE GETS THIS LOOK ALL DAZED AND QUEER. AND HE MUMBLES THINGS I CAN'T QUITE HEAR. ALVIN imitates his father mumbling to himself. THEN, LIKE A SHOT, HE GOES RIGHT TO THE PERFECT SPOT AND FINDS THEIR SPECIAL BOOK, THE ONE DISTINCTIVE BOOK, THE STORY THAT WILL CHANGE THAT PERSON’S LIFE. THOMAS stares blankly at ALVIN. You see? THOMAS See what? ALVIN This store speaks through my father. He's a conduit. He's an instrument. He's a vessel. And I am his son. I too hear the prophetic whisper of the bookstore spirit. I will now attempt to use my ancestral gifts to guide you to your present. Silence. THOMAS You couldn’t just get me a model airplane? ALVIN Shhh! SPEAK TO ME. NOBLE SPIRIT OF THE BOOKSTORE. THIS IS ALVIN HERE. THOMAS begins to enjoy this. THOMAS And Thomas.


Pg. 20

ALVIN IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN RECOMMEND AS A GIFT FOR THOMAS, MY BEST FRIEND? CAN YOU FIND HIM A STORY? They wait. THOMAS Do you hear anything yet? ALVIN listens. ALVIN No. Wait! It needs something. It needs... both of us. THOMAS What do we do? ALVIN NOW WE STAND UP STRAIGHT LOOKING SHY AND MEEK. THOMAS NOW WE STAND UP STRAIGHT LOOKING SHY AND MEEK. ALVIN AND WE HUMBLY WAIT FOR THE STORE TO SPEAK. THOMAS AND WE HUMBLY WAIT FOR THE STORE TO SPEAK. BOTH SOON WE WILL HEAR THE ANSWER THAT WE'RE PREPARING TO RECEIVE. ALVIN NOW THE NEXT PART’S NOT EXACTLY CLEAR. IT’S THE PART WHERE DAD GETS DAZED AND QUEER. ALVIN gets a dazed look on his face. THOMAS I think you nailed that part. ALVIN (muttering to himself) I see... I see... I see a guy wearing cardboard wings, a coat hanger halo, carrying a bell and a homemade book...


Pg. 21

ALVIN (cont'd) WAIT! HOLY COW! I KNOW WHICH BOOK TO GIVE YOU NOW. THOMAS Well? ALVIN YOU’LL BE GRATEFUL THAT I INTERCEDED. AND FOUND THE BOOK YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED. THOMAS Come on. ALVIN THE STORY THAT WILL CHANGE MY BEST FRIEND’S LIFE. ALVIN plucks a book from the shelf and gives it to THOMAS, abruptly interrupting this story with another. THOMAS The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. By Mark Twain. A book report by Tommy Weaver. Sixth grade. THOMAS addresses the audience and ALVIN as though they were his sixth grade class. I got this book from my friend Alvin and his mystical... He realizes how ridiculous this sounds. ... anyway, it's a really good story but my favorite part is in the pre-face. It goes like this. THOMAS opens the book and reads. “Part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in. The author. Hartford. Eighteen seventy-six.” He closes the book.


Pg. 22

THOMAS (cont'd) IN EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SIX CARS WERE NOT INVENTED. THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE RADIO OR MOVIES OR T.V. AND THEY HAD MORE DISEASES THEN WHICH NOW CAN BE PREVENTED BUT SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK THAT YEAR THAT STILL GETS READ BY KIDS TODAY LIKE ME. IN EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SIX THERE WASN’T INDOOR PLUMBING THEY DIDN’T HAVE A TON OF THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED NOW. THOUGH EVERY YEAR THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME LUXURY THAT’S COMING A BOOK LIKE THIS FROM WAY BACK THEN IS STILL AROUND SOMEHOW. THOMAS becomes more excited by his report. I GUESS I USED TO THINK THAT BOOKS WERE ONLY WORDS ON PAPER BUT WHEN I’M READING THIS IT’S LIKE TOM SAWYER’S REALLY HERE. WHEN THINGS ARE WRITTEN DOWN THEY DON’T JUST DISAPPEAR LIKE VAPOR. THEY TRAVEL ON THROUGH TIME BEYOND THAT ONE SPECIFIC YEAR. Something dawns on THOMAS. AND I THINK WRITING STUFF LIKE THAT WOULD MAKE A NEAT CAREER. IN EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SIX SOME GUY FROM MISSOURI PUT ALL THESE ADVENTURES DOWN AND MADE THEM COME ALIVE. AND JUST BECAUSE THAT WRITER WROTE THIS ONE AMAZING STORY EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SIX WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-FIVE. Thank you.


Pg. 23

THOMAS returns to the podium and to the task of writing ALVIN's eulogy. THOMAS (cont'd) And so I started writing. Anything and everything got put on paper. A onesentence preface... ALVIN From a book I gave you. THOMAS ... nudged me into a "neat career" as... THOMAS tears this page from his notebook and tosses it aside. This isn't about me. ALVIN Isn't it? THOMAS writes in his notebook. THOMAS We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW TOM. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. ALVIN rifles through the stack of pages on the table. ALVIN MRS. REMINGTON OUR FIRST GRADE TEACHER MADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A BETTER PLACE. ALVIN selects a few pages. A Better Place. A story about Alvin and Thomas. THOMAS takes the pages and reads. THOMAS Against my better judgment, Alvin and I snuck into the gallery of Carter’s Funeral Chapel. ALVIN steps into the past.


Pg. 24

ALVIN There she is. THOMAS We were twelve. THOMAS covers his eyes with the pages. ALVIN What are you doing? THOMAS I couldn’t look. ALVIN You’re a chicken. ALVIN cranes his neck to look. They shaved her beard. THOMAS lowers the pages and looks, stepping into the past. Made you look. THOMAS Let’s go. ALVIN No. Listen. They crouch and listen. This is the kind of stuff you should write about. THOMAS listens and writes. THOMAS Who's the guy talking? ALVIN I think it's Mr. Remington. THOMAS (incredulous) There's a Mr. Remington? Get out.


Pg. 25

More listening. More writing. THOMAS What did he say? ALVIN She’s gone to a better place. THOMAS Like where? ALVIN Like Disneyland. They listen. THOMAS writes. THOMAS People say nice things when you die. ALVIN They call it a eulogy. ALVIN is struck with an idea. Hey! I’ll do yours if you do mine. THOMAS How’s that gonna work? ALVIN Oh. Right. ALVIN considers this for a moment. How about whichever comes first? Deal? THOMAS If I say yes can I go? ALVIN Yes. THOMAS Deal. THOMAS tries to leave but ALVIN stops him.


Pg. 26

ALVIN Wait. Write this down. I, Thomas Weaver. THOMAS writes. THOMAS I, Thomas Weaver. ALVIN Promise to do Alvin’s eulogy. THOMAS Promise to do Alvin’s eulogy. ALVIN And to tell the world how he’s my best friend. THOMAS And to tell the world how he’s my best friend. ALVIN And how much I love him. THOMAS stops writing. THOMAS What are you, a girl? ALVIN Write it down. And vice versa. Whichever comes first. THOMAS writes. THOMAS And vice versa. Whichever comes first. ALVIN And if I don’t may I drop down dead in my tracks and rot. THOMAS steps briefly out of the past. THOMAS He stole that last line from Tom Sawyer. ALVIN Shut up and write it. THOMAS returns to the past and writes.


Pg. 27

THOMAS And if I don’t may I drop down dead in my tracks and rot. ALVIN Now sign it. THEY each sign the agreement. THOMAS Are we done? ALVIN Yes. THOMAS Let’s go. THOMAS starts to leave. ALVIN Wait. What are you gonna say? THOMAS You have to die to find out. THOMAS steps completely out of the past and observes his friend. ALVIN And how’s that gonna work? Something catches ALVIN's attention. Look. They’re closing it. ALVIN watches in silence as the unseen casket is closed. THOMAS Goodbye, Mrs. Remington. ALVIN Have fun at Disneyland.


Pg. 28

THOMAS WHAT WAS THE MOMENT? WHERE WAS THE SLACK? THOMAS discards these pages and returns to the podium and his notebook. ALVIN s him in the present. ALVIN So... what are you going to say? THOMAS We are gathered... BOTH ... to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. THOMAS WHAT WAS THE CRISIS THAT WENT UNDETECTED? WHEN WAS THE INSTANT IT STARTED TO CRACK? ALVIN selects another stack of pages and reads. ALVIN A Stupid Squashable Bug. A story about Alvin and Thomas. ALVIN hands the pages to THOMAS. THOMAS One afternoon, when I was fourteen, I borrowed one of the magazines my father kept hidden in his nightstand. I found Alvin at the bridge by the falls staring intently at a butterfly. ALVIN steps into the past. He kneels and watches an unseen butterfly. ALVIN Tom. Watch this. They say that every time this butterfly flaps it causes a tiny ripple in the air that can spread out and grow and change wind currents and weather patterns. They call it the butterfly effect. One flap could cause a blizzard in Africa. THOMAS To any other fourteen-year-old, Alvin was a freak. ALVIN I prefer the term ‘individual’. Watch.


Pg. 29

THOMAS s the past. Together they watch the butterfly... for a long time. THOMAS Nothing is happening. ALVIN It will. They watch again... for another long time. THOMAS (deeply frustrated) This is ridiculous. AL, WE’RE STARTING HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FALL AND YOU DON’T SEEM PREPARED FOR THAT AT ALL. WHEN EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT AND THE KIDS ARE MOSTLY NEW. YOU’LL SEE HIGH SCHOOL CAN BE HARD ON “INDIVIDUALS” LIKE YOU. The unseen butterfly flaps and ALVIN follows its flight until it settles. ALVIN Whoa. It's flapping. THOMAS It’s a bug. A stupid, squashable bug. LOOK AT THIS MAGAZINE, ALVIN. SEE WHAT REGULAR GUYS ARE OBSESSED WITH. YOU’RE CHASING INSECTS WHILE YOU COULD BE LEARNING WHAT MISS APRIL TATTOOED HER GIANT BREAST WITH. THOMAS puts the magazine in front of ALVIN's face. ALVIN Don't.


Pg. 30

THOMAS BEING ECCENTRIC WAS FINE WHEN IT WAS JUST JUNIOR HIGH. IF YOU WANT TO FIT IN AT HIGH SCHOOL AL, BE NORMAL. JUST TRY. THOMAS shows ALVIN the magazine. Miss April... likes action movies, stock car racing, and soup. To ALVIN . You like soup. ALVIN She looks uncomfortable. ALVIN looks for the butterfly but it has flown away. Crap. Where’d the butterfly go? THOMAS YOU’RE GONNA NEED TO BE DIFFERENT ALVIN. YOU GOTTA DRAW LESS ATTENTION. IT’S BETTER TO JUST BE LIKE ONE OF THE CROWD THAN A DWEEB WHO DROPPED IN FROM THE FIFTH DIMENSION. ALVIN finds the butterfly. ALVIN There you are. THOMAS WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE MORE THAN JUST “THAT WEIRD KELBY KID”? YOU COULD FLY UNDER THE RADAR, AL BE NORMAL. ALVIN Shhhhh!


Pg. 31

THOMAS NO MORE PLAYING WITH BUGS, ALVIN. NO MORE WEARING YOUR DEAD MOTHER’S ROBE. THERE ARE BULLIES AND THUGS, ALVIN. EVERY ONE A POTENTIAL ALVIN-O-PHOBE. The butterfly flaps. ALVIN Whoa! THOMAS THE TINIEST TRANSGRESSION, LIKE TO STICK OUT OR REBEL, WILL DESTROY THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION AND TURN HIGH SCHOOL INTO HELL. Al! ALVIN Sh! THOMAS steps briefly into the present. THOMAS I threw Miss April at the butterfly. ALVIN No! He watches the butterfly fly away. THOMAS returns to the past. It’s flapping. It’s flapping. It’s flapping a lot. Oh my God. There’s no telling what chain of events you just set into motion. THOMAS Nothing's going to happen! THOMAS goes to leave. ALVIN stops him. THOMAS steps out of the past and observes his friend. ALVIN Don’t move. If a stupid, squashable bug can have that kind of power, what ? THOMAS Alvin moved his finger.


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ALVIN What do you think that did? THOMAS And then his hand. ALVIN Or that? THOMAS And then his whole arm. ALVIN Or that? THOMAS Until he was flapping around like some crazed pterodactyl. ALVIN runs around the space, flapping wildly. ALVIN Woo hoo! Look at me Tom. I’m changing the weather. I’m redirecting the jet stream. I’m melting the polar ice caps. THOMAS res the memory. THOMAS Nothing is changing! You look like an idiot! NOBODY SAID IT WAS EASY, ALVIN NOBODY SAID IT WAS PRETTY. AND HEARING THIS STUFF FROM A FRIEND MAY BE HARD, BUT NOT KNOWING AT ALL WOULD BE TWICE AS SHITTY. YOU’LL GET THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL UNNOTICED THEN YOU’LL THANK ME, YOU’LL SEE. SO DON’T BE THE GUY WHO BUCKS EVERY TREND ALVIN sees the magazine. ALVIN Give me that magazine. ALVIN picks up the magazine and looks closely at the cover.


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THOMAS WHO I HAVE TO JUSTIFY AND DEFEND. ALVIN I didn’t see that before. THOMAS IF YOU WANT TO KEEP BEING MY BEST FRIEND BE NORMAL... ALVIN plucks something from the page. ALVIN A caterpillar. THOMAS ... LIKE... THOMAS quickly selects a story. The memory shifts abruptly. ALVIN falls to the ground struggling against an unseen assailant. ALVIN Tom! THOMAS reads. THOMAS Bullies and Thugs. ALVIN Tom! THOMAS A story about Alvin Kelby. ALVIN Tom! THOMAS For our tenth grade Hallowe'en party, Alvin came to school dressed as his mother’s ghost again. Bathrobe and all. ALVIN Tom!


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THOMAS What was cute at six was just weird at fifteen. ALVIN Tom! THOMAS Donnie Carter chased Alvin all the way to the bridge and, by the time I got there, he had him pinned to the ground and was pummeling him mercilessly. ALVIN Tom! THOMAS s the memory. THOMAS Get off him! ALVIN Tom! THOMAS I SAID GET OFF HIM NOW! THOMAS helps ALVIN to his feet. ALVIN He’s got my robe, Tom. THOMAS Give him the robe, Donnie. ALVIN Please give it back. THOMAS Give it back now. ALVIN No. Don’t do that. Please. Please. Don’t! Silence. THOMAS steps into the present. THOMAS Donnie threw the robe over the side of the bridge and ran away. We watched it disappear over the falls.


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They watch in silence as the robe drifts down the river. THOMAS res the past. He looks at ALVIN for a moment. THOMAS (cont'd) But seriously Al, what were you thinking? ALVIN selects a story and hands it to THOMAS who reads. What Alvin Was Thinking. A story about Alvin Kelby. ALVIN I MOM WOULD MAKE MY LUNCHES EVERY AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS FIVE. SANDWICHES, AND CARROT STICKS IN BUNCHES. IT’S STRANGE HOW CERTAIN MEMORIES SURVIVE. WE’D BOTH SIT ON A KITCHEN STOOL. I’D TELL HER WHAT I DID IN SCHOOL. HOW I’D CARRY ON. PEOPLE CARRY ON. WHEN YOU’RE A KID YOUR WORLD BECOMES YOUR PARENTS. I SAW THEM LIKE A MOVIE IN MY MIND. DAD WAS GEORGE AND MOM WAS JUST LIKE CLARENCE AND I BECAME THE TWO OF THEM COMBINED. THEN ONE DAY OUR FAMILY WAS SUDDENLY JUST DAD AND ME BUT WE WOULD CARRY ON. PEOPLE CARRY ON. TIME WENT BY. WE CHANGED AND GREW. I BOUNCED BACK LIKE CHILDREN DO. BUT MOM WAS ALWAYS CLOSE TO ME. HER ROBE WAS LIKE HER LEGACY. I FELT LIKE SHE WAS WOVEN THERE IN EVERY STITCH AND QUILTED SQUARE REMINDING ME OF THINGS THE WAY THEY WERE. BUT SOMETIMES DISTANT MEMORIES CAN BLUR. I KNEW MY MOTHER’S ROBE, BUT SOMEHOW I’D FORGOTTEN HER.


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ALVIN (cont'd) I LEMONADE AND PUNCHES LAID OUT LIKE REFRESHMENTS AT A PROM. SANDWICHES AND CARROT STICKS IN BUNCHES. I WAS SIX THE DAY THEY BURIED MOM. MY BORROWED TIE, THE PERFUMED AIR, THE FLOWER BASKETS EVERYWHERE. EVERY TRIVIALITY IS LOCKED INSIDE MY MEMORY. DETAILS WILL SURVIVE THE YEARS WHILE MOM JUST SLOWLY DISAPPEARS. BUT PEOPLE CARRY ON, PEOPLE CARRY ON. PEOPLE CARRY ON, PEOPLE CARRY ON. ALVIN senses that THOMAS may now be ready to revisit the story of their last meeting. ALVIN (cont'd) God's Great Library. A story about Alvin and Thomas. Want to try it again? Only a week ago, on Christmas Eve, Alvin stood in this very spot, honoring the memory of his father. THOMAS That was the last time we saw each other. ALVIN You're late. THOMAS s this memory. ALVIN rushes to THOMAS and embraces him. THOMAS I know. ALVIN Can I hear what you wrote? THOMAS Wow. Right down to business. Don’t worry. You’ll like it. ALVIN I’d like to hear it.


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THOMAS People are waiting. ALVIN Let them wait. THOMAS takes a sheet of paper from his pocket and reads. THOMAS “Dear friends and family. We are gathered to pay our respects to Gordon Kelby, a man who devoted his life to the love of books.” ALVIN That’s nice. Unwilling to revisit this memory completely, THOMAS steps into the present. THOMAS And I read him a glorious age by poet John Donne about each of our lives being the pages and chapters of one great book collected up by God. A lengthy silence. ALVIN Can I see it? THOMAS hands the paper to ALVIN. THOMAS Which he clearly didn't appreciate. ALVIN This is it, Tom? THOMAS It was a completely fitting tribute to his father. ALVIN It’s just a quote. THOMAS Full of some of the most evocative images I have ever encountered. ALVIN From a dead poet.


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THOMAS Written by one of the pre-eminent poets of the English language. ALVIN I asked you to write it. THOMAS No! THOMAS violently snatches the paper from ALVIN's hand and discards it. WHEN THINGS ARE WRITTEN DOWN THEY DON’T JUST DISAPPEAR LIKE VAPOR. THEY TRAVEL ON THROUGH TIME BEYOND THAT ONE SPECIFIC YEAR. ALVIN WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, TOM. THOMAS AND I THINK WRITING STUFF LIKE THAT WOULD MAKE A NEAT CAREER. ALVIN goes to the shelves in search of something specific. ALVIN A neat career. A neat career. He selects a few pages. A Neat Career. A story about Thomas. ALVIN gives the pages to THOMAS. THOMAS Okay. THOMAS takes them, not quite understanding ALVIN's choice of story. My college application required a sample of my writing, a short story... and I had nothing. I'd been writing things down for years but nothing resembled an actual story. In a panic I went to find Alvin at the store to tell me what to do. ALVIN and THOMAS step into the past. They are in the bookstore. ALVIN is busy


Pg. 39

working, shelving books etc., throughout the following. ALVIN There's gotta be thousands of stories in that head of yours, Tom. Just pick one and write it down. THOMAS You make it sound so easy. ALVIN Isn't it? THOMAS steps briefly into the present. THOMAS So I picked one and wrote it down. Three hundred and fifty words amounting to, I suspected, a pile of crap. I decided to read it to Alvin and let him decide if it was any good at all. THOMAS steps into the past. ALVIN Let me get this straight. If I say I like it you’ll submit it. THOMAS Right. ALVIN And if the college likes it you’ll be accepted. THOMAS Right. ALVIN And if you’re accepted you’ll leave. THOMAS Right. ALVIN considers this. ALVIN And what if I say I don’t like it? THOMAS Then it’s a whole different story.


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ALVIN Oooh! Your life is in my hands. I like this. Read. ALVIN continues his work as THOMAS reads. THOMAS The Butterfly. By Thomas Weaver. ALVIN The Butterfly? THOMAS Yeah. THOMAS continues hesitantly. IN A FAR OFF LAND THERE LIVED A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY, IN A KINGDOM FULL OF BLOSSOM COVERED TREES AND WINDING THROUGH THIS PARADISE A RIVER DANCED ALONG AND PLAYED WITH THE CONSTANT SUMMER BREEZE. THOMAS stops and looks to ALVIN for some sense of approval or disapproval. ALVIN Keep going. THOMAS THE BUTTERFLY FOUND A TINY BRANCH AT THE RIVERSIDE AND WATCHED THE WATER RUSHING WHO KNOWS WHERE. CAREFULLY HE SHELTERED FROM THE POWER OF THE BREEZE FOR SURELY IT COULD TOSS HIM THROUGH THE AIR. “I’M A BUTTERFLY” HE SAID. “TRIVIAL AND SMALL AND IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS I DON’T MEAN MUCH AT ALL, SO I’LL FLAP MY WINGS TO STRETCH MYSELF AND JUST ENJOY THE VIEW. I’M A BUTTERFLY, WHAT MORE CAN I DO?” THOMAS begins to gain confidence. ALVIN stops his work and watches his friend.


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THOMAS (cont'd) ONE AFTERNOON THE BUTTERFLY ASKED THE RIVER "MADAM, WHAT MAKES YOU HURRY SO? WHAT SPLENDID DESTINATION ARE YOU RIPPLING TOWARD? WHERE, OH WHERE DO YOU GO?" THE RIVER SAID, “I’M HEADED FOR THE OCEAN, AND THE SUMMER BREEZE INSPIRES ME TO RACE. MY FRIEND, YOU’D LOVE THE OCEAN. IT’S REMARKABLE TO SEE. WON’T YOU OUR FRIENDLY CHASE?” “I’M A BUTTERFLY” HE SAID. “TRIVIAL AND SMALL AND IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS I DON’T MEAN MUCH AT ALL, SO I FLAP MY WINGS TO STRETCH MYSELF AND JUST ENJOY THE VIEW. I’M A BUTTERFLY, WHAT MORE CAN I DO?” SO THE BUTTERFLY, HE DREAMED OF THE OCEAN. HE LONGED TO FLUTTER HIGH ABOVE THE SEAS, BUT THERE ARE DANGERS IN THE SKY FOR A TINY BUTTERFLY. SO FROM HIS BRANCH HE ASKED A QUESTION OF THE BREEZE. "WHAT MAKES YOU CHASE THE RIVER T’WARD THE OCEAN?" THEN THE BREEZE TOLD HIM A MOST AMAZING THING. “I’M SIMPLY MADE UP OF THE CURRENTS IN THE AIR THAT START FROM THE MOVEMENT OF YOUR WING, YOUR TINY WING.” “YOU’RE A BUTTERFLY MY FRIEND, POWERFUL AND STRONG AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WAY YOU’VE ALWAYS HURRIED ME ALONG. WHEN YOU FLAP YOUR WINGS TO STRETCH YOURSELF IT MIGHT SEEM SMALL TO YOU BUT YOU CHANGE THE WORLD WITH EVERYTHING YOU DO.”


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THOMAS (cont'd) SO HE STRETCHED HIS WINGS AND TOOK OFF FROM THE SAFETY OF HIS TREE AND THE BUTTERFLY FINALLY SAW THE SEA. THOMAS looks to ALVIN for a response. ALVIN takes the pages from THOMAS. THOMAS steps out of the past. Alvin had this look in his eyes I'd never seen before. I don't know what it was. He waited for what seemed like an eternity and then simply said... ALVIN hands the pages back to THOMAS. ALVIN Send it. THOMAS WAS THAT THE MOMENT? ALVIN WAS THAT THE MOMENT? THOMAS I MISSED IT SOMEHOW. ALVIN selects a new story and hands it to THOMAS, taking the Butterfly pages as he does. Over The Falls. A story about Thomas and Alvin. The day I left for college we stood at the bridge throwing sticks into the river... THOMAS steps into memory and throws a "stick." He and ALVIN watch it float toward the falls where it disappears over the edge. ... and watching them careen over the falls. ALVIN throws a stick. Again, they watch it make its way to the edge of the falls. ALVIN Crap.


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THOMAS Or not. THOMAS throws and watches the stick's progress. Over the falls. ALVIN throws and watches. ALVIN Crap. THOMAS and ALVIN search for more sticks. THOMAS I’m mad at you. ALVIN I know. THOMAS You’ve gone all George Bailey on me. ALVIN I have not. THOMAS Is your father sick? ALVIN Yes. THOMAS Are you putting your life on hold to take care of the business? ALVIN Yes. THOMAS George Bailey. ALVIN throws. ALVIN Crap. THOMAS steps briefly into the present.


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THOMAS My sticks floated freely over the falls while his got stuck in the rocks every time. The symbolism was glaringly obvious. THOMAS returns to the past. Silence as they search for more sticks. ALVIN I’m gonna miss you. THOMAS Yes you are. ALVIN Tom. THOMAS What? ALVIN Can I tell you something? THOMAS Whatever. THOMAS throws. Over the falls. ALVIN I’m gonna miss you. THOMAS We already covered that. ALVIN throws. ALVIN Aaargh. THOMAS Aw. Does George Bailey need a throwing lesson? THOMAS puts his arm around ALVIN and messes his hair. ALVIN pulls THOMAS into an embrace and kisses him on the neck. The kiss is neither ionate nor tender...


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just a kiss. THOMAS steps into the present. ALVIN continues the search for more sticks. THOMAS (cont'd) I put my arm around him and messed his hair. And then he kissed me. On the neck. Here. Just below my ear. ALVIN throws a stick and watches it drift over the falls this time. He is deeply satisfied by this. ALVIN Over the falls. THOMAS selects a story. THOMAS Goodbye. A story about Thomas. THE FIRST TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE WE STOOD BY THE CAR FOR AN HOUR, I SWEAR. THE USUAL PLATITUDES HUNG IN THE AIR THE FIRST TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. THE FIRST TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE I REALIZED I DIDN'T WANT ALVIN TO KNOW THAT SECRETLY I WAS EXCITED TO GO THE FIRST TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. HE SAID HE WAS GLAD I WAS LEAVING. ALVIN YOU NEED THIS. THOMAS HE SAID HE’D BE FINE ON HIS OWN. ALVIN I'VE STILL GOT DAD AND THE STORE AND THE NEW FALL RELEASES. ALVIN hugs THOMAS. THOMAS HE HUGGED ME. ALVIN pulls away from THOMAS, surprised.


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ALVIN You’re wearing cologne? BOTH THE WEATHER WAS CHANGING THE LEAVES IN THE SEPTEMBER SKY. THOMAS BUT NOTHING WAS CHANGING FOR ALVIN. ALVIN EVERYTHING CHANGED BOTH THE FIRST TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. ALVIN selects a story and reads. ALVIN The Homecoming. THOMAS It was Christmas Eve at the bookstore. I’d come home for the holidays with an assignment deadline looming over me. ALVIN hands the pages to THOMAS. THOMAS steps into the past and goes to the table. He finds a pen and sits and broods, unable to write. ALVIN impatiently tries to get THOMAS's attention. ALVIN Let's go outside. THOMAS Sh. ALVIN What are you doing? THOMAS Writing. ALVIN looks over THOMAS's shoulder at the blank page. ALVIN No you're not. There's nothing there.


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THOMAS It's a process. Words are just the final step. ALVIN We have half an hour before It's a Wonderful Life starts. Can't you process outside? THOMAS Shut up. I'm this close to having something. ALVIN Sorry. If you need me, I'll be... sh. ALVIN tries to be quiet... but fails. ALVIN You know, I read somewhere that the average number of snowflakes that fall each year is estimated at ten to the twenty-fourth power. That's one followed by twenty-four zeroes. The diversity of their structures is commonly believed to be infinite. Come on. Let's go out and kick up a little infinite diversity. THOMAS I can’t. This is important. ALVIN I read somewhere that "one of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important." There’s gotta be thousands of stories in that head of yours, Tom. Just pick one and write it down. THOMAS You have no clue how this works. Do you? SOMETHING IS APPROACHING, ALVIN. THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS. ALVIN My God you’re dull. THOMAS TUESDAY’S EMBRYONIC IDEA WEDNESDAY, COULD BE CLIMBING THE CHARTS. ALVIN looks out the "window". ALVIN Look at that snow.


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THOMAS SUDDENLY IMAGINATION PERCOLATES AND SPINS. ALVIN Excellent packing qualities. A light dusting of powder. THOMAS THAT’S THE ANCIENT ART OF CREATION, ALVIN The perfect combination. THOMAS AND HERE’S WHERE IT BEGINS. ALVIN Come on. Let’s go outside. THOMAS Sh! A SPARK CAN BE EXTINGUISHED, ALVIN WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOVE. LET ME FAN THIS FLAME OF A THOUGHT AT LEAST UNTIL I’M INTO A GROOVE. ALVIN It’s not going to last forever. THOMAS IDEAS ARE JUST VISITORS, EPHEMERAL AND RARE. I JUST NEED SOMETHING DOWN ON THIS PAPER... STILL NOTHING THERE. ALVIN Look up from your page, Tom. THOMAS WHERE’S THE INSPIRATION? A WRITER NEEDS A MUSE. I NEED SOME INSPIRATION. THERE’S NOT MUCH HERE TO USE. ALVIN If you need me I’ll be outside maintaining a tradition alone. THOMAS Aren’t you a little old for that?


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ALVIN runs outside. The bookstore doorbell rings. ALVIN Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. THOMAS IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT BUT IDEAS AREN’T ENOUGH. NEXT YOU NEED A VIABLE OUTLINE. THEN THE WORK GETS TOUGH. AND THAT’S THE PART THAT SEPARATES THE CHILDREN FROM THE MEN. THEN YOUR ONLY FRIEND IN THE WORLD BECOMES YOUR FAVORITE PEN. ALVIN falls onto his back, flailing his arms and legs. ALVIN I’m making a snow angel! THOMAS STRUCTURE. YOU STRUGGLE WITH STRUCTURE AND FORM. WORKING OUT ONE LITTLE SPOT, A TWIST OF THE PLOT. BUT STILL YOU’RE JUST GETTING WARM. PATIENCE. WITH PATIENCE YOU FINISH A DRAFT. ASSUMING YOU GET TO THIS PART, IT’S TEN PERCENT ART, REALLY IT’S MORE ABOUT CRAFT AND RULES THE RULES ARE SWIMMING THROUGH YOUR MIND. BECAUSE YOU MEMORIZED EACH TEXTBOOK AND LECTURE. EVERY DETAIL IS REWORKED AND REDEFINED. BUILDING STORIES IS JUST ARCHITECTURE. ALVIN gets up to look at his creation. ALVIN Look at me Tom! Look at me! Ooh. I got snow down my pants.


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THOMAS watches ALVIN. THOMAS BUT IT’S ELUSIVE, ALVIN. IT’S LIKE ANGELS IN THE SNOW. TURN YOUR BACK AND THERE THEY GO. A slow realization. IT’S LIFE. Stand back, Al, here I come! THOMAS runs outside to ALVIN. The bookstore doorbell rings. ALVIN Every time a bell rings... THOMAS Shut up! THOMAS falls onto his back, flailing his limbs. Yee haw! EVERYTHING IS STARTING, ALVIN EVERYTHING IS REAL. ALVIN MAKE YOUR ANGEL RIGHT OVER HERE THE SNOW IS JUST IDEAL. ALVIN falls onto his back and flails. BOTH IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT WE’LL HAVE PERFECT ANGEL TWINS. They stand and ire their work. THOMAS THANK YOU FOR THE FINE DEMONSTRATION NOW MOVE OUT THE WAY.


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ALVIN THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST INSPIRATION YOU HAVE FELT ALL DAY. BOTH THAT’S THE ANCIENT ART OF CREATION PROUDLY ON DISPLAY AND HERE’S WHERE IT BEGINS. THOMAS steps into the present and, inspired by the memory, searches for a story. THOMAS Angels in the snow. Angels in the snow. THOMAS takes some pages from the shelf. Angels In The Snow. By Thomas Weaver. A work in progress. THOMAS goes to the table and tries to write. EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, WE’D MAKE ANGELS IN THE SNOW JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER KID HAS DONE. WE’D... WE'D... THOMAS hits a creative roadblock and can't continue. He leaves this story and selects another. THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE THE OLD TOWN SEEMED QUIET AND FROZEN AND SMALL AND THINGS THERE FOR AL HADN’T CHANGED MUCH AT ALL THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE I’D COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS TO INTRODUCE ANN, ALVIN is busy working in the bookstore. ALVIN Nice to meet you.


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THOMAS MY COLLEAGUE, MY GIRLFRIEND, MY NUMBER ONE FAN, THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. SHE WORKED FOR A NATIONAL WEEKLY. ALVIN Impressive. THOMAS I’D BEEN PUBLISHED IN HER MAGAZINE. ALVIN WAS STUCK SELLING BOOKS WHILE HIS FATHER GOT SICKER. ALVIN You’ve grown up. THOMAS HE STILL LOOKED EIGHTEEN. THOMAS steps into the past. Ann’s waiting in the car. You coming out to say goodbye? ALVIN I can’t. THOMAS Why not? ALVIN Dad’s left me a list of things to do. THOMAS It’ll take ten seconds. ALVIN It’s a really long list. THOMAS steps briefly out of the memory. THOMAS He didn’t like her.


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ALVIN No. She’s great. I'm sure she'll have you settling down in no time. Getting married. Buying a house. Getting a dog. Having a kid. Do you think she’ll let you name it after me? THOMAS Um... ALVIN enjoys THOMAS's discomfort for a moment. ALVIN I mean the dog. BOTH YEARS ARE LIKE SNOWFLAKES THAT IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. ALVIN I’M SO GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU’RE HAPPY. THOMAS ALVIN SEEMED SAD THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE. ALVIN SOME LIVES HURTLE FORWARD. AND SOME NEVER BUDGE. THOMAS returns to the podium and his notebook and the task of writing the eulogy. THOMAS We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. ALVIN SOMETIMES A LIFE TAKES A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH AN INNOCUOUS INNOCENT NUDGE. ALVIN selects a stack of pages and hands them to THOMAS. ALVIN sits at the table. THOMAS reads. THOMAS An Innocuous Innocent Nudge. Alvin's father's condition worsened and eventually he was moved into a home. So Alvin assumed ownership of the bookstore.


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THOMAS picks up his briefcase and goes to the table. The bookstore doorbell rings. THOMAS (cont'd) Every time a bell rings... ALVIN doesn't respond. I shuffled my schedule and ran back to town to help with the paperwork. THOMAS sets the pages in front of ALVIN who finds a pen and carefully signs each document. With each turn of the page this old store, The Writer's Block - New and Used Books, became more and more Alvin's. ALVIN I feel like such an adult. I feel like you. THOMAS s the memory and gathers up the signed papers. He puts them in his briefcase. THOMAS Well, it’s all yours. And may I say I'm glad you got writer's block and not me. No response from ALVIN. A little literary joke. ALVIN Very little. THOMAS So, what the hell are you going to do with it? ALVIN I MISS THE WAY THINGS WERE BEFORE. DAD SAYS I'M JUST BEING SAPPY. HE SAYS TO TAKE THIS LITTLE STORE AND DO WHATEVER MAKES ME HAPPY. THOMAS So... what are you going to do?


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ALVIN I don't know. I've never had options before. You want to stay and help me decide? THOMAS steps out of this memory. THOMAS All I could think was... I've got too much to do. ALVIN You could stay through Christmas. THOMAS All I could think was... I've got three book gs. ALVIN It'll be like we're kids again. THOMAS All I could think was... Ann would never let me. ALVIN What do you say? THOMAS But all I could say was... THOMAS steps into the past for just a moment. ... why don't you come to the city? ALVIN REALLY? George Bailey? Leave town? I've never done that. THOMAS returns to the present. THOMAS I took care of all the arrangements. ALVIN Dad's in good hands. THOMAS I booked the train. ALVIN I can do what I want with the store.


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THOMAS I booked his room. ALVIN I can actually do this. THOMAS In spite of that, a day didn't go by without a phone call asking what he should pack. ALVIN Do I need a tie? I don't have a tie. THOMAS Or how much cash he should bring. ALVIN I bought a money belt. It'll be safer. Right? THOMAS Until one final phone call. ALVIN THIS IS IT, TOM. THIS IS IT. THOMAS The morning before the big trip. ALVIN 24 HOURS AND I WILL BE THERE. THOMAS All I could think was... boy, this day came fast. ALVIN TO RUFFLE YOUR FEATHERS AND GET IN YOUR HAIR. THOMAS All I could think was... I have things to take care of. ALVIN THE WHOLE TOWN CAN PERISH, I DON’T EVEN CARE. THOMAS But all I could say was... THOMAS again steps briefly into the past. ... see you tomorrow.


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ALVIN THIS IS IT, TOM. THIS IS IT. I never thought this day would actually come. THIS MORNING I FINALLY BELIEVED IT. I WOKE UP AND FELT IT BEGIN. Spoken like Jimmy Stewart as "George Bailey". "I’M SHAKING THE DUST OF THIS CRUMMY OLD TOWN OFF MY FEET." Take that, George Bailey. I'LL MAKE UP A SIGN FOR THE BOOKSTORE AND HANG IT WHERE PEOPLE COME IN. SAYING: “CLOSING FOR CHRISTMAS. THE OWNER IS HITTING THE STREET.” LOOK, I’LL NEVER BE A WORLD TRAVELER. I JUST WASN’T BUILT THAT WAY. STILL, THIS COULD BE MY INDEPENDENCE DAY. THOMAS Aren't you blowing this a little out of proportion? ALVIN straightens up the table and shelves, preparing to close down the bookstore. THOMAS observes him from the present. ALVIN I THINK OF THE TIMES THROUGHOUT HISTORY A DAY UNREMARKABLY DAWNED AND ONE MAN WAS SEIZED BY THE RESTLESS DESIRE TO EXPLORE. HE LOOKED UP AND SCANNED THE HORIZON AND WONDERED WHAT MIGHT LIE BEYOND. THEN HOISTED HIS ANCHOR AND SAILED FOR SOME UNCHARTED SHORE.


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ALVIN (cont'd) WELL NOW MY DESTINY‘S CALLING, AND I CAN HEAR IT SAY THIS COULD BE MY INDEPENDENCE DAY. THOMAS takes a very brief step into the past. THOMAS It's just a trip to the city, Al. ALVIN Of course you wouldn’t understand. THIS IS A FEELING YOU MUST FEEL EVERY DAY AS PUBLISHING’S LATEST "MAN-OF-THE-HOUR". Four bestsellers and counting, Tom. I REALLY CAN’T COMPETE WITH YOUR RESUME BUT SOMETHING DEEP IS STIRRING AND SHIFTING INSIDE. THE BOUNDARIES ARE BLURRING AND OPENING WIDE. IT'S SUDDENLY OCCURRING THAT FINALLY I DESERVE TO STRAY AND REACH AND YEARN AND DARE TO SAY IT MIGHT JUST BE MY TURN. ALVIN is surprised by the sound of his own voice. He can't believe such a bold statement has emerged from him. IT’S RARE THAT YOU NOTICE A MOMENT THE MOMENT IT’S HURRYING BY AND INSTANTLY FRAME IT AND SAY: THAT’S WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED. BUT NOW, THERE’S A MOMENT APPROACHING. I’M STARING IT STRAIGHT IN THE EYE. PREPARED FOR A FUTURE OF MOMENTS THAT AREN’T PREARRANGED.


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ALVIN (cont'd) OLD GEORGE BAILEY WAS CHEATED HE NEVER LEFT HIS TOWN. BEATEN DOWN AND DEFEATED HE EVEN TRIED TO DROWN. BUT LOOK AT ME, I’VE BEEN TREATED TO LIFE TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN. WELCOME TO MY INDEPENDENCE DAY. THIS IS IT, TOM. THIS IS IT. THOMAS All I could think was... I never told Ann he was coming. ALVIN CHRISTMAS, THE TWO OF US, JUST LIKE BEFORE. THOMAS All I could think was... I never told Alvin I'm engaged. ALVIN LIKE BACK IN MY LIVING ROOM OVER THE STORE. THOMAS All I could think was... things here have gotten complicated. ALVIN WHO SAYS THE HOLIDAYS HAVE TO BE MORE? THOMAS But all I could say was... ALVIN THIS IS IT, TOM. THIS IS... THOMAS s the memory. THOMAS Al. Don't come. This stops ALVIN dead in his tracks. ALVIN Why not?


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THOMAS It's not a good time. Silence. Al? Silence. What do you think, Al? ALVIN THIS IS IT, TOM ME AND YOU. THOMAS tries to move on to the next story. THOMAS THE NEXT TIME THAT WE SAID GOODBYE ALVIN IF YOU COMMIT, TOM YOU SEE IT THROUGH. THOMAS WHY IS IT ALWAYS GOODBYE? THOMAS is drawn back into the past. Goodbye, Al. ALVIN Goodbye, Tom. THOMAS quickly steps into the present. THOMAS RELATIONSHIPS THRIVE OR DISSOLVE WITHOUT OUR KNOWING WHY. AND SOMEHOW GOODBYE BECAME EASY. Wait! Let me explain. It really wasn't a good time. I... THOMAS goes to the shelves in search of a specific story. He finds it and reads. Weaver - Table For Two. A story about Thomas.


Pg. 61

THOMAS steps into the past and sits at the table. He addresses an unseen dinner companion. There is a detached quality to the conversation. Something is clearly on his mind. ALVIN steps back and watches. THOMAS (cont'd) I LIKE IT HERE. THE WAITRESSES TEND TO BE RUDE BUT THE FOOD IS SO GOOD. THE LAST TIME I ATE HERE MY PUBLISHER PAID. HE SHOULD WHAT WITH ALL THAT MY STORIES HAVE MADE. I HAD THE LAMB WITH THE MINT MARINADE. I LIKE IT HERE. IT’S COMFORTABLE. THE TWO OF US SITTING AND CHATTING AND SHARING SOME WINE. AND SOME HUMMUS. THE PRICES THEY CHARGE HERE ARE REALLY A CRIME. WE EVEN PAY EXTRA FOR WATER WITH LIME. STILL I COME BACK AGAIN TIME AFTER TIME. I LIKE IT HERE. YOU’RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY WE ARE HERE WHEN THERE’S SO MUCH TO PLAN LIKE THAT THING WITH YOUR FATHER, BUT I NEEDED YOU TO MYSELF FOR AN HOUR TONIGHT. SEE, EVERYTHING’S MOVING SO QUICKLY, THERE’S ALL THESE DECISIONS TO MAKE AND I STILL HAVE MY DEADLINE. MY HEAD IS SPINNING AND SOMETHING JUST DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT. I GUESS WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY NOW THAT WE HAVE A MINUTE IS LATELY YOU’RE ASKING FOR MORE THAN I’M ABLE TO GIVE. I THINK YOU DESERVE MORE THAN SOMEONE WHO’S HEART ISN’T IN IT. INSTEAD OF US PICKING OUT DISHES AND BEDDING, I WONDER IF WE SHOULDN’T POSTPONE THE WEDDING. Silence.


Pg. 62

THOMAS (cont'd) Ann? Silence. What do you think, Ann? ARE YOU OKAY? YOU HAVEN’T HAD MORE THAN A BITE OF YOUR TUNA TARTAR. OR THE HUMMUS. LOOK, ALL THAT I’M ASKING IS CAN’T WE JUST WAIT AND PUT ON THE BRAKES IF IT ISN’T TOO LATE? GIVE ME SOME TIME ANN AND THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR EVERYONE. JUST WHEN TWO PEOPLE GET INTO A GROOVE, THERE’S ALWAYS THIS PRESSURE THAT THINGS HAVE TO MOVE. WHY DO RELATIONSHIPS HAVE TO... IMPROVE? I LIKE IT... HERE. ALVIN You should have told me about that. THOMAS returns to the present. THOMAS Alvin never would have understood. ALVIN Yes I would. THOMAS I had too much coming at me. ALVIN You should have said something. THOMAS I couldn't work. I couldn't write. I had to streamline my personal life. ALVIN selects a story and reads.


Pg. 63

ALVIN Money and Prizes. A story about Thomas. Having streamlined his personal life, Thomas was able to focus on more important matters. THOMAS But as much as I tried to focus, there was always this voice in my head... Alvin's patient, ive and aggravating voice. ALVIN Another award? You are so talented, Tom. THOMAS crosses to the podium and into the past to address an awards ceremony audience. Throughout the following THOMAS is completely aware of, but tries to ignore ALVIN's aggravating voice. THOMAS Thank you so much for this. I’m flattered but completely at a loss as to why you’ve chosen me. I write little collections of stories and people buy them. It’s a humble vocation. Nothing special. As a writer, you’re merely a conduit. You’re an instrument. You’re a vessel. ALVIN YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. AND TO PROVE IT THEY’RE THROWING THIS BIG FANCY DO. FOR YOU. YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. IF I’D KNOWN ABOUT THIS I’D HAVE BEEN THERE TODAY. WELL, ANYWAY. I’M SURE YOU HAVE NO TIME TO CALL. I KNOW THAT YOUR SCHEDULE’S TIGHT. YOU’RE PROBABLY NEEDED AT GS AND PARTIES. C’MON, I’M YOUR PAL, IT’S ALL RIGHT. YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM.


Pg. 64

THOMAS I'm frequently asked, "Where do your stories come from?" I don't know. All I know is there's got to be thousands of stories in this head of mine just waiting for me to pick one and write it down. ALVIN YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. YOU’RE EVERYTHING I ALWAYS KNEW YOU COULD BE. TIMES THREE. THOMAS But it's lonely work. Just me and the blank page. ALVIN YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. AND TO THINK THAT YOU MADE IT HERE ALL ON YOUR OWN. WELL, WHO’D HAVE KNOWN? YOUR WRITING HAS ION AND SKILL WHILE OTHERS ARE CHURNING OUT FLUFF. IT’S EASY TO PANDER TO LOW EXPECTATIONS, BUT QUALITY STORIES ARE TOUGH. THOMAS And the indescribable feeling of writing those first few words knowing I am on my way to changing people’s lives. ALVIN's tone becomes mockingly earnest. ALVIN WHAT YOU DO IS IMPORTANT. WHAT YOU DO IS AN ART. WHAT YOU’RE DOING IS FEEDING YOUR READERS IDEAS WITH HEART. LET’S IT IT, YOU’RE MAKING THE PLANET A HAPPIER PLACE. IT’S BECAUSE OF THE MINDS YOU ARE SAVING THAT SOMEONE IS WAVING ANOTHER AWARD IN YOUR FACE. YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. THOMAS Every one of my stories - The Butterfly, The Marvelous Mystical Bookstore, The Memory Robe, even the incredibly popular Mrs. Remington's Hallowe'en - every one was up here just waiting for me to set it free. This generous award tells me that you want me to keep it up. And I promise I will.


Pg. 65

ALVIN's tone becomes much more pointed. ALVIN YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. THE RESULT OF THE CHOICES YOU MADE IS SUCCESS. I GUESS. YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. IT’S HARD WHEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE SOME THINGS BEHIND. WELL NEVER MIND. SOME PEOPLE MARCH IN PARADES. WHILE OTHERS JUST WATCH THEM GO BY. THOMAS Of course, I can't leave the stage without a few thank-yous. ALVIN SO SOAK UP THE PRAISE AND ENJOY THE OVATION. THOMAS My publisher. ALVIN THOUGH NOBODY SPECIAL WILL SHARE YOUR ELATION. THOMAS My agent. ALVIN MONEY AND PRIZES ARE FINE CONSOLATION AND TANGIBLY INDICATE WHY... THOMAS And the single most important person in all of this... the one who buys my book. ALVIN YOU’RE AMAZING, TOM. THOMAS steps out of the past and confronts ALVIN.


Pg. 66

THOMAS IT’S ELUSIVE, ALVIN. IT’S LIKE ANGELS IN THE SNOW. TURN YOUR BACK AND THERE THEY GO. He picks up the "Angels In The Snow" pages that he discarded earlier and reads. Angels In The Snow. A Work In Progress. I hunkered down and got back to work trying desperately to avoid any distraction. THOMAS and ALVIN step into the past. THOMAS writes. (This memory spans a number of years.) ALVIN Merry Christmas Tom. I hope this card finds you locked in your office writing, otherwise I simply won't excuse your not coming home. When are we going to see a new book from you? Customers keep hounding me. I tell them, don't rush him. It's a process. So, how's the process? Miss you. Love Al. THOMAS reads what he has written. THOMAS EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, WE’D MAKE ANGELS IN THE SNOW JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER KID HAS DONE. He writes. WE’D STRETCH OUT OUR ARMS AND LEGS, THEN WE’D WAVE THEM TO AND FRO IN A... He stops, stuck for an idea. IN A SOMETHING... He gets one. IN A HALO OF THE LATE DECEMBER SUN. ALVIN Merry Christmas Tom. How can you bear another Christmas without me? Where's your new book? Why aren't you writing? Why aren't you writing me? Love, Al.


Pg. 67

THOMAS continues to write. THOMAS PROUDLY WE’D CREATE OUR TWO ANGELS IN THE SNOW WITH... WITH... He suffers for a moment and then brightens with an idea. He writes it down. WITH REVERENTIAL ROBES AND PERFECT WINGS. WE’D SPEND HOURS IN THE YARD ALVIN Merry Christmas, Tom. THOMAS tries to shut out the sound of ALVIN's voice. THOMAS ALL THOSE CHRISTMASES AGO ALVIN Another Christmas. Another card. THOMAS AND WHEN AT LAST THEY WERE COMPLETE WE FELT LIKE KINGS. ALVIN I wish you'd write. THOMAS THEN AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... ALVIN Love, Al. THOMAS struggles for words and reviews what he has written.


Pg. 68

THOMAS AND WHEN AT LAST THEY WERE COMPLETE WE FELT LIKE KINGS. THEN AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED WE WOULD... ALVIN Merry Christmas, Tom. From the Kelbys. THOMAS (with growing desperation) THEN AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... ALVIN Please write. ALVIN's voice shatters THOMAS's concentration. THOMAS AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... THOMAS approaches his breaking point. AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... AS THE SUN... I JUST NEED SOMETHING DOWN ON THIS PAPER. He stares at the unfinished story. STILL NOTHING THERE. NOTHING THERE. THOMAS violently discards the pages. He returns to the present and crosses to the podium. WHOSE STORY IS THIS!! ALVIN We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby.


Pg. 69

THOMAS We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby! He stares at his blank notebook. NOTHING THERE. ALVIN WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, TOM. THOMAS frantically searches through the shelves and the discarded pages strewn about the space, releasing fragments of memory as he does so. THOMAS WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, TOM. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. THE WORLD MUST KEEP MOVING AND CHANGING SO FAST. ALVIN IT’S RARE THAT YOU NOTICE A MOMENT THE MOMENT IT’S HURRYING BY. THOMAS THE TRICK IS IN KEEPING THE PAST IN THE PAST. ALVIN If a stupid, squashable bug can have that kind of power, what ? THOMAS WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE MORE THAN JUST “THAT WEIRD KELBY KID”? ALVIN I KNEW MY MOTHER’S ROBE BUT SOMEHOW I’D FORGOTTEN HER. THOMAS WORDS HAVE NO POWER TO CHANGE WHAT IS DESTINED TO DIE. ALVIN May I drop down dead in my tracks and rot.


Pg. 70

THOMAS I GUESS WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY NOW THAT WE HAVE A MINUTE IS LATELY YOU’RE ASKING FOR MORE THAN I’M ABLE TO GIVE. ALVIN I’ll do yours if you do mine. THOMAS HE TURNED INTO SOMEONE I’M NOT SURE I KNOW. ALVIN MONEY AND PRIZES ARE FINE CONSOLATION. THOMAS SOME FRIENDSHIPS CONTINUE AND SOME YOU OUTGROW. ALVIN You're amazing, Tom. THOMAS is on the verge of a breakdown. THOMAS AT BIRTHDAYS AND CHRISTMAS A TOKEN HELLO ALVIN I’m gonna miss you. THOMAS TILL THE LAST TIME WE SAY... ALVIN Goodbye, Tom. THOMAS HIS FATHER ED AWAY. I LEFT HIM HERE ALONE. ALVIN You’re late. THOMAS is drawn into the past. ALVIN rushes to THOMAS and embraces him. THOMAS I know.


Pg. 71

ALVIN Can I hear what you wrote? THOMAS Wow. Right down to business. Don’t worry. You’ll like it. ALVIN I’d like to hear it. THOMAS People are waiting. ALVIN Let them wait. THOMAS takes a sheet of paper from his pocket and reads. THOMAS “Dear friends and family. We are gathered to pay our respects to Gordon Kelby, a man who devoted his life to the love of books.” ALVIN That’s nice. THOMAS "Seventeenth century poet John Donne wrote... 'All mankind is of one author and is one volume. When one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language. And every chapter must be so translated. God employs several translators. Some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice. But God's hand is in every translation. And his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.' Gordon Kelby is now a part of God’s great library. He will be missed by us all." A lengthy silence. ALVIN Can I see it? THOMAS hands ALVIN the paper. ALVIN looks at it for some time, turning it over in his hands. This is it, Tom? THOMAS Less is more. Right?


Pg. 72

ALVIN It’s just a quote. THOMAS A beautiful quote. ALVIN From a dead poet. THOMAS A brilliant dead poet. ALVIN I asked you to write it. THOMAS I know. ALVIN Did you even try? THOMAS Of course I tried. ALVIN Try again. THOMAS Right now? ALVIN Right now. THOMAS I can't. ALVIN Why not? THOMAS Alvin, people are waiting. ALVIN I don’t care. THOMAS takes the paper from ALVIN.


Pg. 73

THOMAS This is a brilliant piece of literature written by a brilliant poet. Your father should be lucky to have words like this said about him. ALVIN What does that mean? THOMAS Living in a small town and selling books doesn’t inspire epic poetry. ALVIN I live in a small town and sell books and you spun that into a career. THOMAS Excuse me? ALVIN The Marvelous Mystical Bookstore. Mrs. Remington's Hallowe'en. The Butterfly. THOMAS What are you saying? ALVIN Who inspired those? THOMAS You’ve got to be kidding. ALVIN Are you working on anything new? THOMAS Yes. ALVIN What’s it about? THOMAS Snow Angels. ALVIN And that just came out of thin air? THOMAS What do you want, credit? ALVIN You don’t understand.


Pg. 74

THOMAS I don’t share credit. ALVIN I don’t want credit. THOMAS Those came out of my head. Those are my words. Those are my stories. ALVIN I just want you to write one for him. THOMAS I can’t. ALVIN Why not? THOMAS steps out of this memory and attempts to shut it down. THOMAS THOSE WERE MY STORIES! I WROTE THEM! I DIDN’T NEED HIM! ALVIN continues with the scene as though THOMAS were still there. ALVIN Excuse me. I’ve got people waiting. I'll do it myself. ALVIN steps to the podium and addresses the gathering at the chapel. THOMAS He thought he could just do it off the cuff. Well, that's not how it works. Stories aren't easy. They're damn near impossible. But I wrote them and I wrote them on my own! I worked my ass off! I won awards! ALVIN Thank you all for coming. THOMAS I snuck into the gallery of the chapel to watch him. To watch him try to do what I’ve devoted years of my life to doing. ALVIN We’re gathered to honor the memory of my father, Gordon Kelby.


Pg. 75

ALVIN (cont'd) Let me tell you a story about my father. THOMAS Look at him standing there. Look at him! Comfortable. Confident. Smug. Telling story after story after story after goddamn story about his father. Look at him. He wouldn’t stop. He just kept going. Telling stories. He listens for some time. And they were good. They were so... good. Look at him. THOMAS examines this memory of ALVIN more closely. I DIDN’T SEE THAT TEAR ON HIS COAT. I DIDN’T SEE THE WAY THAT HIS HANDS WERE SHAKING. THE WAY THE WORDS GOT CAUGHT IN HIS THROAT, THE WAY HE’D FIXED HIS HAIR. I DIDN’T SEE THE WAY THE PLATFORM MADE HIM LOOK SO TALL. NO, I DIDN’T SEE ALVIN AT ALL. I DIDN’T SEE THAT I WAS THE FRAUD, OR NOTICE IT WAS AL WHO WAS BORN THE ARTIST. I TOOK THE BOWS WHILE HE WOULD APPLAUD. I HARDLY SAW HIM THERE. IT TURNS OUT IT WAS ALVIN WHO INSPIRED ME EVERY DAY. BUT I DIDN’T SEE ALVIN THAT WAY. YES, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE OFFERING SO MUCH. HE WAS CONSTANT AND DEPENDABLE LIKE STONE. I DIDN’T STOP TO SEE WHAT ELSE I’D LOST WHEN WE GRADUALLY LOST TOUCH. BUT LOOK UP FROM YOUR PAGE, TOM. LOOK UP FROM YOUR PAGE. YOU’RE ALONE. As THOMAS's thoughts become more personal ALVIN steps out of the past and observes him.


Pg. 76

THOMAS (cont'd) I DIDN'T SEE... I DIDN’T SEE THE END OF THE ROAD. I’D SET MY VISION FIRMLY TOWARDS THE FUTURE. BURYING THE DEBT THAT I OWED TO ALVIN AND MY PAST. I DIDN’T SEE THE SAND SLIP THROUGH MY FINGERS WAY BACK THEN. AND I DIDN’T SEE ALVIN AGAIN. A lengthy silence. ALVIN The End. A story about Alvin Kelby. THOMAS I'm done with stories, Al. ALVIN Have you finished my eulogy? THOMAS No. ALVIN Then you're not done. THOMAS begins to tidy up the papers that are strewn about the space. The End. A story about Alvin Kelby. That's the one you're looking for, right? If you just had that one you could close the book on Alvin once and for all. THOMAS Fine. Let me see it. ALVIN Sorry. I can't help you. THOMAS Why not?


Pg. 77

ALVIN Because it's not here. THOMAS Where is it? ALVIN shrugs. Then just tell me. Tell you what? Why'd you do it? Do what? Jump off the bridge. Is that what you think happened? Isn't it? Why would I do a thing like that? You tell me.

ALVIN THOMAS ALVIN THOMAS ALVIN THOMAS ALVIN THOMAS ALVIN

I can't. THOMAS Why not? I have to know what happened that night. That's what's missing. That's the story I need. ALVIN I read somewhere that the human brain re absolutely everything every moment, every detail - and stores them away. THOMAS can't hide his frustration with ALVIN's apparent non sequitur.


Pg. 78

ALVIN (cont'd) But you can't something if you weren't there. And you weren't there. So, all you're ever going to have are questions. There sure are an awful lot of them, aren't there? Why did I stay in this town? Why didn’t I sell the bookstore? Why did I hold onto our friendship for so long? What did I want from it? What happened that night at the bridge? Did I jump? Did I fall? Did I wait like George Bailey for a Clarence who never came? How did a kid who once thought a butterfly could melt the polar ice caps end up in a frozen river on Christmas Eve? And, more importantly, what did it have to do with you? I could keep going but they all have the same answer. YOU’LL NEVER KNOW, TOM. YOU’LL NEVER KNOW. ALVIN looks around at the shelves of papers and books and the pages scattered about the floor. There's gotta be thousands of stories in this head of yours, Tom. Don’t look for one that isn't there. THIS IS IT TOM. THIS IS ALL THERE IS. AND ISN’T IT AMAZING? As ALVIN continues, he refers to individual pages and stories. HERE WE SIT, TOM. FOREVER TOSSING BRANCHES OFF A BRIDGE. Over the falls. HERE WE’RE FROZEN AT TEN. HERE WE’RE AWKWARD YOUNG MEN. AND YOU FILED AWAY THESE MEMORIES BIT BY BIT. NOW LOOK AGAIN. YOU WANTED A STORY, TOM WELL THIS, ALL AROUND YOU, THIS IS IT.


Pg. 79

ALVIN (cont'd) JUST IT, TOM YOU EXPECTED MORE. BUT ISN’T THIS REFRESHING? THIS IS IT, TOM. SURE, IT’S NOTHING LIKE THE PICTURE ON THE BOX. AND NO SECRETS EXIST, IN SOME MOMENT YOU MISSED, JUST ACCEPT THAT SOMETIMES PIECES MIGHT NOT FIT. AND THAT’S OKAY. ‘CAUSE ALL THAT YOU NEEDED, TOM IS HERE. ALL AROUND US, THIS IS IT. ALVIN turns THOMAS to look at the shelves of stories collected in THOMAS's own mind. Look at them all. Stories about you. Stories about me. Stories . Just waiting for you to pick them and write them down. YOU ARE A WRITER. TAKE WHAT YOU KNOW. HERE THERE'S A LIFETIME OF MOMENTS AND DETAILS NOW YOU MAKE THEM BLOSSOM AND GROW. FIND WHAT’S IMPORTANT. THOMAS FIND WHAT’S IMPORTANT. ALVIN HELP IT TO THRIVE. THOMAS HELP IT TO THRIVE.


Pg. 80

ALVIN WHEN YOU REARRANGE THEM AND TELL THEM YOU KEEP ALL OUR MEMORIES AND STORIES ALIVE. THOUSANDS OF STORIES. THOMAS THOUSANDS OF STORIES. BOTH CONSTANTLY NEW. ALVIN SO OUR STORIES REMAIN THOMAS STORIES REMAIN ALVIN FULL OF LAUGHTER AND PAIN THOMAS MIXED WITH CAPRA AND TWAIN ALVIN TOLD BY YOU. YOU AND ME, TOM THIS IS ALL WE GET. AND WASN’T IT EXCITING? BUT DON’T YOU SEE, TOM IT ISN’T REALLY OVER, AFTER ALL. JUST LIKE STONES IN A LAKE AND THE RIPPLES THEY MAKE STORIES CARRY ON THROUGH TIME AND NEVER QUIT. IT’S UP TO YOU. THIS ISN’T MY STORY NOW IT’S YOURS. LOOK AROUND YOU. THIS IS IT.


Pg. 81

ALVIN (cont'd) THIS IS YOU. THIS IS ME. THIS IS LOVE. THIS IS LIFE. THIS IS IT. THOMAS searches for and finds the "Angels In The Snow" pages. What's that? THOMAS A work in progress. ALVIN takes the pages and reads. ALVIN "Every Christmas Eve we’d make angels in the snow, just like every other kid has done. We’d stretch out our arms and legs. Then we’d wave them to and fro, in a halo of the late December sun." "AND ONCE A YEAR WE BELIEVED THERE WAS MAGIC ALIVE IN THE AIR FOR THE ANGELS WE MADE LYING THERE." Hm. I like this. "PROUDLY WE’D CREATE OUR TWO ANGELS IN THE SNOW WITH REVERENTIAL ROBES AND PERFECT WINGS. WE’D SPEND HOURS IN THE YARD ALL THOSE CHRISTMASES AGO AND WHEN AT LAST THEY WERE COMPLETE WE FELT LIKE KINGS. THEN AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED..." ALVIN turns the pages over, looking for more. This is it, Tom? THOMAS THEN AS THE SUN DISAPPEARED... THOMAS takes the pages, struggles for a moment and brightens with an idea.


Pg. 82

THOMAS (cont'd) AND WITH SNOW DOWN THE BACK OF OUR PANTS WE WOULD WAIT FOR OUR ANGELS TO DANCE. THOMAS tosses the pages in the air. They burst into a flurry of paper. THE ICY WIND WOULD WHIP THE SNOW FROM THE GROUND ALVIN AND THE TREES WOULD MOAN A SWEET CELESTIAL SOUND. THOMAS THEN THE ANGEL SOULS WERE WIDE AWAKE BOTH AND ALIVE ON EVERY SINGLE FLAKE. THEY WHIRLED ALL AROUND US AS WE STOOD LIKE STONE. THOUSANDS OF ANGELS WITH LIVES OF THEIR OWN. EACH ONE WITH A SEPARATE STORY ING IN ONE BURST OF GLORY. THOMAS BUT THEN THE SNOWFLAKES SCATTERED AND THEY FLEW AND OUR ANGELS DID TOO. The flurry of paper gently ends. THOMAS looks at ALVIN with a new understanding. BOTH EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE WE’D MAKE ANGELS IN THE SNOW THOMAS AND EVERY YEAR WE’D WATCH THEM DISAPPEAR. ALVIN THEY’D DISAPPEAR. THOMAS BUT I KNOW THAT THEY’LL RETURN AND THOUGH THE YEARS MAY COME AND GO WHEN I NEED TO HAVE THEM WITH ME THEY’LL BE HERE.


Pg. 83

ALVIN (reassuring) THEY’LL BE HERE. THOMAS THEY’LL BE HERE. ALVIN THEY’LL BE HERE. BOTH SWIRLING ROUND AND AROUND IN A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EVE GLOW. THE WAY THEY DID THEN BACK WHEN WE WERE JUST TEN ALL OUR ANGELS AGAIN IN THE SNOW. THOMAS envelops ALVIN in a final embrace and kisses him gently on the neck. The shelves and papers fade and the walls of the funeral chapel return. ALVIN People say nice things when you die. THOMAS They call it a eulogy. ALVIN I’ll do yours if you do mine. THOMAS How’s that gonna work? ALVIN How about whichever comes first? Deal? THOMAS If I say yes can I go? ALVIN Yes. ALVIN steps back to watch his friend. THOMAS goes to the podium and picks up his notebook. He addresses the congregation.


Pg. 84

THOMAS We are gathered to honor the life of Alvin Kelby. He was my best friend. THOMAS closes the notebook. Let me tell you a story about Alvin... CURTAIN

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