FADE IN:

EXT. O’MALLEY FRONT YARD - MORNING

MARGARET O’MALLEY, an auburn haired, sunburned 38-year old

mother of eight, stands outside next to the running station

wagon. Two children sit in the front seat while three are

crammed into the back seat.

Margaret is waiting on her two youngest boys to fill the two

way back seats that face backwards. KATIE, 4 years old, with

strawberry blond hair, rosy cheeks, and a pot belly, sticks

her head out the window.

KATIE

Mom, I told them to be ready by nine

twenty. They just don’t listen.

Margaret ignores Katie. Katie pops back into the car.

CUT TO:

INT. PETE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

PETE, 7 years old, who looks like a poster boy for Ireland,

lays on his stomach in front of the board game "All Star

Baseball". He spins the dial. The dial lands on nine, which

is the number that coincides with a strikeout. SEAMUS, nine

years old, blondish brown hair, white skin, crystal blue

eyes, angelic smile, jumps to the air in celebration.

SEAMUS

Another comeback stopped.

PETE

Reggie Jackson stinks!

SEAMUS

We gotta get going. Mom’s gonna freak.

Seamus heads for the door.

PETE

What should we tell her?

Seamus looks back at Pete. Pete’s hand me down plaid pants

barely fit him and fall as he stands up.

SEAMUS

You couldn’t find your belt.

Seamus takes off down the stairs. Pete, with one hand holding

up his pants, follows him down the stairs. Seamus runs out

the front door and past his mom.

MARGARET

Why are you late?

Seamus, never breaking stride, climbs into the station wagon

through the back window.

SEAMUS

Pete couldn’t find his belt.

Pete runs past his mother.

MARGARET

Why are you late?

PETE

Seamus lost my belt.

Pete never breaks stride. He jumps into the back of the

station wagon. Margaret turns and walks to the car with the

kind of steam that only eight kids in 18 years can produce.

She opens the car door, sits down, calmly puts the car in

reverse, and turns her head for the reverse shoulder check.

And then all hell breaks loose. Margaret screams at the top

of her lungs.

MARGARET

God gives you 168 hours in a week.

Can you not give him one full hour

back? Is that too much to ask?

Katie at four years doesn’t understand rhetorical questions.

KATIE

I’ve been ready for three hours.

EDDIE, 14, brown curly hair, brown eyes, athletic, is at the

point in his life when he realizes he has more answers than

his mom.

EDDIE

(to Katie)

Shut up you kiss ass.

Margaret, with no hesitation, stops the car and smacks Eddie

across the face. Eddie winces while TOMMY, 17, also dark

haired and dark eyed, laughs. Margaret puts the car in drive

and cruises down the street like one big, happy family. WE

FOLLOW the camera through the front of the car to the back.

PATRICK, 18, blondish brown curly hair and green eyes, holds

MOLLY, six months old, in the front seat. Car seats have yet

to be invented.

MARY, 17, auburn haired like her mother and Tommy’s twin,

sits behind the driver seat because she has learned the long

hand of Margaret’s wrath cannot reach her in that seat. Tommy

reads Eddie the Bazooka Joe joke from his gum wrapper and

the two laugh. In the back seat facing out, Pete and Seamus

sit. Seamus holds electronic football in his hand and the

electronic sound of electronic football players running

reverberates throughout the car. WE GO TIGHT on PETE.

PETE (V.O.)

My dad is a fireman.

WE PULL BACK and see all of the kids hang out the window and

wave at JOE, 40, who is Dark Irish, handsomely weathered,

and happy to be at work when his wife takes the kids to

church. WE GO TIGHT on JOE as he waves back to the kids.

JOE

(sarcastic to fellow

firemen)

I wish I could be with them more.

PETE (V.O.)

And my mom?

WE GO TIGHT on MARGARET.

PETE (V.O.)

And my mom? She’s a part time cook,

maid, and nurse. But her full time

job? She’s a front line sergeant in

God’s army.

Pete screams as Seamus scores another touchdown on electronic

football.

EDDIE

Goddammit, would you two shut up

with that game!

Katie puts her hand over her mouth with the sound of the

swearword.

Tommy prepares for battle by holding back his laughter.

Margaret erupts.

MARGARET

The lord’s name in vain? Son of a

bitch.

At forty miles an hour in front of the firehouse Margaret

lunges her open fist into the backseat and starts swinging

like a tornado.

Kids scurry, hoping to avoid the path of the tornado. The

wagon swerves into the other lane. Joe and his buddies watch

from their lounge chairs outside the firehouse. He takes a

swig from a plastic cup.

JOE

Dying in a fire sometimes doesn’t

sound so bad.

The station wagon pulls up to church and the children jump

out like clowns from a small car. Margaret drives off as the

children exit the station wagon. Patrick lifts Katie up to

the basin of holy water.

Katie splashes water on her forehead and makes a sign of the

cross.

Patrick, annoyed, puts her down and points his finger at

her. He gently touches the water with his index and middle

finger and slowly makes the sign of the cross. Katie shakes

her head in agreement.

Seamus dips his hand in the water and fake sneezes on Pete.

Pete punches him in the shoulder. Margaret walks in and

proceeds to lead her ducklings down the aisle as the heads

in church turn to watch.

Each kid genuflects, some better than others, and sit. Pete

sits between Seamus and Patrick. He looks at Margaret. She

smiles and winks at him. Pete looks up to the life-size Jesus

hanging high behind the altar. WE SLOWLY go TIGHT on JESUS

hanging on the cross.

PETE (V.O.)

My cousins’ families are similar to

mine. Except some of the dads are

cops. In my world, there’s Irish

Catholics, and then there’s everybody

else. The only part of this picture

that doesn’t fit for me is Jesus.

From what I’ve learned, and according

to my brother Seamus I’ve learned

shit, that’s why I’m in second grade,

but from what I’ve learned, Jesus is

not Irish Catholic. My dad says that’s

only a technicality, like Knute

Rockne, but, still, Jesus is not

Irish Catholic. He is Jewish. I don’t

know any Jewish people, they don’t

go to Holy Cross, but if I ever meet

a Jewish person, my mom says my job

would be to convert them to

Catholicism. So they could go to

heaven. I have decided this summer,

the summer of 1976, I will help a

Jewish person get to heaven. It will

be my holy quest.

CUT TO:

INT. KEENEY/JONES FUNERAL HOME - A FEW DAYS LATER

REVERSE CAM - Looking out through Jesus’s eyes. A WAKE. An

Irish wake. Two little boys approach the casket. They kneel

in front of the casket. Seamus looks at Pete. Pete’s eyes

are wide in anticipation. Seamus nudges Pete. Pete nudges

Seamus back. Seamus makes the sign of the cross and Pete

copies him. The two stand and walk away. WE FOLLOW them

through the crowd. The boys continue to walk through the

crowd but WE STOP at a circle of men holding drinks.

JOE, holding a Rum and Coke, is talking out the side of his

mouth.

JOE

So? What do I do? Go up to Aunt

Maggie. Hey Aunt Maggie, did I mention

Uncle Jim owed me a nickel?

The other men laugh. Joe’s fat brother, ROGER, answers as if

he’s Jim’s wife. He pulls out a coin

ROGER

I know things are tight, Joe, but

this is cheap. Even for you.

Roger hands Joe the nickel.

JOE

Well, we’ll call it even. That idiot.

You know if he was up a nickel with

the book, he would have lived to

collect.

The men laugh heartily.

JOE

A new way to fend off death. Be up

money with your bookie.

ROGER

May old Uncle Jim be in heaven thirty

minutes before the devil knows he’s

dead.

JOE

He might need more time. What if the

devil has extradition rights?

All of the men laugh. A man hands Joe a drink. He finishes

the drink in his right hand as he accepts the fresh drink in

his left hand.

Seamus and Pete come running back through the crowd. Margaret,

standing with four women and smoking, calls them over.

MARGARET

Did you pray for your great uncle’s

soul?

Pete looks at Seamus. Seamus looks down at Pete. Pete looks

up at his mom.

PETE

We didn’t know his soul.

The women laugh.

WOMAN

Cause he didn’t have one.

MARGARET

Go back up there and pray to Jesus

for the soul of your Uncle Jim. He

needs your prayers.

PETE

So I’ve heard. But Mom, how do we

know our prayers will help Old Uncle

Jim get to heaven?

MARGARET

Faith. Now go ahead.

SEAMUS

Mom, we can’t go back up there. We

already prayed to Jesus for his soul.

Mom looks at Pete for affirmation. Pete looks up to Seamus.

He looks back up to Mom.

MARGARET

Did you pray to Jesus?

Pete looks at Seamus. Seamus gives him that scared look of

having to look at that dead body up close again. Pete looks

at the dead body.

He looks back at his mom. He nods his head in the affirmative.

MARGARET

Well, nobody can have too many

prayers. Go again.

Pete and Seamus head toward the casket.

PETE

How did she know I was lying?

SEAMUS

You weren’t convincing. And she’s

got some kinda built in lie detector.

PETE

How many lies do we get till we go

to hell?

SEAMUS

Forty-seven.

PETE

I don’t think I have many left. And

I got my whole life ahead of me.

SEAMUS

That one doesn’t count. You just

nodded. Nodding up and down in China

is like saying no.

PETE

Things are upside down in China.

Seamus begins to nod yes but changes it to a shake. Margaret

watches the boys as they approach the casket. The boys

approach the dead body.

PETE

What’s faith?

Seamus’s eyes are bugging out.

SEAMUS

A word grown ups use when they don’t

have the answer.

CUT TO:

INT. CLASSROOM - NEXT DAY

WE GO TIGHT on an ELECTRONIC FOOTBALL GAME. WE HEAR the noises

of the game. WE PULL BACK to see Pete playing the game in

the back of the room. A nun stands at the front of the class

and is talking to the class.

NUN

This summer, take time to reflect on

your past year in the second grade.

And how you can make third grade

better.

The electronic defense tackles Pete and makes a double click

noise.

PETE

No!

JIMMY

Yes!

NUN

Mr. O’Malley? Do you disagree with

me?

PETE

No, Sister Leonora Mary. I agree.

The bell rings. The kids scream with happiness. School’s out

for the summer.

NUN

See you at church. And next year in

third grade.

The boys run for the door.

NUN

Mr. O’Malley, may I speak to you for

a moment?

The boys stop. Pete looks at them. The guys don’t hesitate.

They run out of the room. Sister Leonora Mary and Pete are

alone.

PETE

Yes, Sister Leonora Mary.

NUN

How many times did I have to pull

you by your ears to the front of the

class and give you the ruler?

Pete looks around for the answer.

PETE

A lot!

NUN

Probably too many times, don’t you

think?

Pete nods.

NUN

I don’t enjoy having to do that, you

know.

Pete looks at the ground and scratches the back of his neck.

NUN

I think this is an important summer

for you. This is the summer that you

can choose to keep following the

devil’s way, or create a new path

toward Jesus. Which path do you want

to take?

PETE

The Jesus path.

NUN

Good. I expect to see a difference

in you next year.

PETE

You will, Sister Leonora Mary. I’ve

got a plan. A quest!

NUN

Good! You may go. Enjoy your summer,

I know you will.

PETE

You too Sister Leonora Mary.

Pete heads toward the door. He turns around.

PETE

Do you know where I can find a

synagogue?

CUT TO:

INT. SYNAGOGUE - LATE AFTERNOON

Pete stops his bike outside the synagogue. He looks to the

top to see if there is a cross. No cross. A small family

walks out of the synagogue. The men wear yarmukles. Pete

stares at the yarmukles. He walks his bike to the door. He

tries to open the door and maneuver the bike through the

door. He is unsuccessful. A bearded, tiny gray man with

glasses opens the door. Rabbi Kenny Jacobsen smiles at the

young leprechaun.

RABBI

May I help you, son of Saint Patrick?

Pete looks at him weird but shrugs off the name calling. He

notices the rabbi wears a yarmukle also.

PETE

Whadaya got on the top of your head?

RABBI

It’s a yarmukle.

PETE

Doesn’t really block the sun.

RABBI

No but it covers bald spots.

The rabbi leans over, takes off the yarmukle, and shows Pete

his bald spot.

PETE

It does cover the bald spot. My old

Uncle Jim could have used that.

RABBI

So what can I do you for?

Pete looks around.

PETE

Jewish people go here?

The rabbi nods.

PETE

I’m looking to see if I can help

Jewish people get to heaven.

RABBI

A noble endeavor.

PETE

A quest!

RABBI

A noble quest! What can I do to assist

your quest?

PETE

Well, I just wanted to check out the

synagogue. But there’s no bike rack.

Don’t kids go here?

RABBI

Yes. But not for school. How ’bout I

hold onto your bike in the back of

the Temple as you look around?

PETE

Thanks.

Pete enters the temple with Rabbi Jacobsen following him

with the bike. The place is round and expansive. Pete looks

around. After looking, Pete heads to the back of the temple

where the rabbi waits for him with his bike.

PETE

No cross?

RABBI

No cross.

PETE

I find the cross fun to look at.

Sometimes I think about climbing the

wall at Holy Cross and unscrewing

the nails, and letting him go. Makes

mass go faster. You should think

about putting in a cross.

RABBI

I’ll look into that. So what are you

thinking?

PETE

That this is where the quest starts.

RABBI

Well, if I can be of service, you

let me know. My office is just over

there. I’ve got to get home to my

family. I have a boy around your

age. How old are you?

PETE

Seven. Almost eight.

RABBI

He’s six. Almost seven.

PETE

You can have a family?

RABBI

Yes.

PETE

Then what do they call you?

RABBI

Well, my boys call me father. But my

congregation calls me Rabbi. Rabbi

Jacobsen.

Rabbi Jacobsen puts his hand out. Pete shakes it.

PETE

I’m Pete. Pete O’Malley. Nice to

meet you Rabbi Jacobsen.

RABBI

Nice to meet you.

The rabbi and Pete head out of the temple.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN TABLE - LATER THAT NIGHT

The O’Malley’s sit at the dinner table. Three things are a

constant at the dinner table. Meat, potatoes, and chaos.

Katie starts to yelp.

KATIE

Can I have your attention? Please. I

got something to say. Please!

Everyone at the table slowly quiets down.

JOE

Better make this good Katie.

KATIE

I will.

The room is quiet. Katie looks at everyone.

KATIE

Today. I was on my bike. And I pedaled

my bike to the O’Connors. And I

pedaled back. And it was sunny.

Everyone stares at her.

KATIE

That’s it.

Eddie shakes his head in amazement and grins.

EDDIE

Katie, you need to come up with a

more exciting story.

KATIE

I will.

EDDIE

You know, like maybe crash your bike,

and get really bloody and do the

wounded soldier back to the house.

MARGARET

Eddie!

The older kids laugh.

PETE

Anyone know what a yarmukle is?

JOE

A beanie?

Patrick looks at Pete.

PATRICK

Jewish people wear them. It’s

traditional headwear.

SEAMUS

Like feathers for an Indian?

PETE

What’s it for?

JOE

To hide their horns.

The older kids laugh. Margaret winces.

PETE

They got horns?

MARGARET

No. They do not have horns. Joe,

please. The young ones don’t need

this. Let’s change the subject.

JOE

Patrick, your Uncle Charlie says he

could get you an interview over at

the city planners office.

PATRICK

No thanks.

MARY

What about the fire department?

JOE

That’s always there. Well, kid, what

the hell are you going to do?

The kids react to the word hell.

PATRICK

I’ve applied for some scholarships.

I should hear about them soon. Until

then, I can keep life guarding. Saving

money.

JOE

Life guarding? I’ve raised a

professional lifeguarder. In Chicago.

Work three months a year.

EDDIE

And he doesn’t even look like Sheila

Moran in his suit.

Tommy blushes.

EDDIE

Sheila! Oh Sheila. Save me!

Joe laughs.

JOE

Don’t let her old man catch her saving

you.

TOMMY

Eddie doesn’t know what he’s talking

about. I don’t like her.

Mary speaks matter of factly.

MARY

Francis Demos told me Sheila likes

you so all you need to do is ask her

out.

Patrick gets up from the table as Tommy, Mary, and Eddie

continue to talk about Sheila Moran. Seamus is bent over

showing Pete where the horns protrude from the head. Katie

feeds the cocker spaniel her mashed potatoes under the table

while Molly drinks from the bottle in Nancy’s arms. Joe

watches Patrick walk out of the room. He looks at Margaret

for some answer. Margaret shrugs her shoulders.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - NEXT DAY

Pete and Seamus walk down the tree lined city block in their

neighborhood. The two sip milkshakes.

PETE

There’s nothing better than a bubble

gum milk shake. How come that girl

looks at us so funny when we order

it?

Seamus shrugs.

PETE

I mean, it’s a two for one. Ice cream

shake, and then the bubble gum sinks

to the bottom, and when the shake’s

done, you got a whole pack of bubble

gum to chew. All for the price of

one shake.

Seamus takes the lid off the cup and tries to finish the

shake in one big gulp. He succeeds. Seamus now chews on a

wad of gum. Pete and Seamus pass a lemonade stand.

Ten cents a cup. Pete motions to the lemonade entrepreneurs

that his shake has bankrupt him for the day.

PETE

You ever feel that there’s more out

there? Like there’s more for you to

do than just play ball and eat ice

cream?

Seamus shakes his head. He blows a bubble. Pete blows a

bubble.

SEAMUS

You gonna play baseball at 11?

Pete shakes his head.

SEAMUS

You heading over to the synagogue?

Pete nods. Seamus blows a bubble.

SEAMUS

You know, this whole thing’s kinda

weird. You going there, the quest.

Pete nods.

SEAMUS

Well, at least you know it’s weird.

Pete and Seamus walk down the street in silence. Enjoying

another day without responsibility.

CUT TO:

INT. SYNAGOGUE - LATER THAT MORNING

Pete knocks on the door of Rabbi Jacobsen’s office.

RABBI

Come in.

PETE

Hey Rabbi Jacobsen, Pete O’Malley.

We met the other day.

The rabbi stands up from his desk. He puts his hand out.

Pete shakes it.

RABBI

Mr. O’Malley. How are you today?

PETE

I’m good thanks. Ready to start my

quest. But I thought I might ask you

for your permission first.

RABBI

What are your plans?

PETE

Sort of a "lemonade-free trip to

heaven" stand.

The rabbi chuckles. He stops.

RABBI

Enterprising.

Pete shrugs off that word.

PETE

Yep. Jewish people gotta like

lemonade?

RABBI

Very much so. I believe Moses set

one up at Mount Sinai.

Again Pete shrugs off that statement.

PETE

I figured I might set up the stand

right at the door. And I’m not going

to charge.

RABBI

A future car salesman.

PETE

Right. OK then. Thanks. I’ll let you

know how it goes.

RABBI

You know, Jewish people believe in

heaven. It’s just that we believe

it’s not open yet.

PETE

Well, maybe I can get the people

that don’t want to wait.

The rabbi laughs.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - MINUTES LATER

The rabbi walks back to the door. He turns back to look at

Pete taping the poster to the wall. FREE LEMONADE. FREE TRIP

TO HEAVEN.

The rabbi laughs. He opens the door and heads into the

synagogue.

Pete takes a seat at his stand.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - HOURS LATER

The rabbi watches Pete through a window in the synagogue.

Pete looks around. No business. He looks around again. He

pours himself a cup of lemonade and gulps it. He puts the

lemonade back in its place.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - END OF THE DAY

The rabbi walks out to the stand. Pete looks dejected.

RABBI

Rome wasn’t built in a day, Pete.

Pete doesn’t understand.

PETE

How do you make any money here? I’m

free, and still nobody.

The rabbi pats Pete on the top of the head.

RABBI

I envy your youth. Come back tomorrow.

Pete looks at all of his stuff.

RABBI

I’ll store your office right here

inside the front door. For free.

Pete smiles.

PETE

You and I seem to be the only two on

this block that care about free stuff.

RABBI

Because we’re the only two that

realize that you can’t buy what we

have to offer. It’s free.

Pete and the rabbi place the desk, chair, and poster inside

the synagogue. Pete shakes the rabbi’s hand and rides his

bike home.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - NEXT DAY

Pete sits at his stand. The rabbi parks his car on the street

100 feet from Pete’s stand. The rabbi doesn’t want to block

Pete’s storefront billboard. The rabbi steps out of his car.

His secretary, Julie, a pretty, voluptuous, middle aged woman

who obviously was waiting for the rabbi, walks out the door

and greets the rabbi. Pete watches her.

JULIE

Rabbi Jacobsen, you’ve received six

messages.

RABBI

Door to door service. Julie, I don’t

pay you enough.

Julie hands the rabbi his telephone messages. The rabbi reads

them and laughs.

JULIE

Members of the congregation don’t

seem to think this stand is a laughing

matter. It’s against Judaism.

RABBI

Most of the members don’t seem to

notice this temple, except during

the high holidays or when they need

something. Pete’s giving us free

advertising.

JULIE

But he’s advertising Christianity.

RABBI

No, he’s advertising thought. He’s

asking people to have a cup of free

lemonade with him and maybe get some

insight into how to get to heaven.

Doesn’t seem like this neighborhood

cares about that. I wish a thousand

Pete’s opened up stands on this

street.

Seamus rides his bike up to the stand.

SEAMUS

Hey.

PETE

Hey.

Seamus gets off his bike and pours himself a cup of lemonade.

PETE

Don’t pour it all.

Seamus looks around. As if there was a public stampede for

Pete’s lemonade. Seamus waves to Rabbi Jacobsen. The rabbi

walks toward the stand.

PETE

Rabbi Jacobsen, this is my older

brother Seamus. He’s nine.

The rabbi shakes Seamus’s hand.

RABBI

I’m Rabbi Jacobsen. I’m forty-four.

How many are there?

SEAMUS

Eight. But my oldest brother might

go to college, so then there will be

seven. And maybe we’ll get his room.

RABBI

Quite a flock.

PETE

Got a dog too. Wanna cup of lemonade

Rabbi?

RABBI

No thanks.

PETE

Mam?

JULIE

No thank you.

RABBI

Well, you keep up the...

YOUNG BOY

Rabbi! Rabbi!

A young boy comes running full speed around the corner.

YOUNG BOY

Rabbi! Rabbi!

The rabbi’s face turns white.

RABBI

What is it Steven?

The sounds of fire engines roaring fill the air. A huge fire

engine turns the corner and races past.

STEVEN

Rabbi, your house is on fire. Big

fire!

The Rabbi doesn’t hear the last line. He takes off in a full

sprint back the way Steven came. Another fire engine races

past. WE FOLLOW the fire engine. WE PASS OVER THE TOP of the

FIRE ENGINE to the other side where JOE O’MALLEY hangs on.

WE FOLLOW THE FIRE ENGINE up the block where people stand

outside watching a house burn. The rabbi reaches the house

at the same time the fire engine does.

RABBI

My boys! Where are my boys? David?

Danny?

The rabbi furiously searches the crowd. Joe O’Malley reaches

the rabbi. A quick exchange between the two. The rabbi takes

off toward the stairs of his house. Two other firemen catch

him and hold him back. Joe motions to the firemen to pull

him back and the rest of the crowd to the other side of the

street. He grabs a couple of other firemen who aim the hoses

at the front door. Joe runs into the house and disappears

into the smoke.

A CLOSE SHOT on Pete and Seamus, who have been watching from

the corner. Mrs. Jacobsen arrives. The rabbi grabs her. Mrs.

Jacobsen starts to cry. Everyone watches for Joe to reappear

with two boys in hands. The firemen hose the flames. The

rabbi makes another run for the house, but this time policemen

hold him back. The rabbi goes limp as the two policemen hold

him up. The rabbi’s eyes are fixated on the front door. Where

there is just smoke, the outline of Joe O’Malley appears. He

has a child, Danny, wrapped in a blanket in his arms. He

runs down the stairs and across the street. He hands the boy

off to the paramedics. Danny is suffering from smoke

inhalation but is OK. His parents surround him.

The rabbi screams at Joe. Joe can only read his lips. David!

David! My other boy! David!

Joe looks back at the house. The flames rage uncontrollably

and the other houses are now in danger of catching fire. The

rabbi grabs Joe by the shoulders and screams. This time Joe’s

eyes are only on the fire. Joe takes off toward the house. A

firemen tries to stop him but Joe bounces off him like a

running back. As he reaches the front steps, an explosion

knocks him back ten feet and flames roar out the front door.

Firemen trample Joe as his coat catches on fire. They stamp

out the fire while they hold him down. Joe rolls over and

stares at the Jacobsens. Mrs. Jacobsen is hysterically crying

as the rabbi stares aimlessly. The rabbi turns slowly and

buries his wife’s head in his chest. Danny, his youngest

son, stares over his oxygen mask and up at his parents. Joe

stands up and is escorted toward the ambulance as other

firemen storm the house with more hoses. A CLOSE SHOT of

PETE. His face is void of any emotion other than a look that

says he thought his dad was dead. A CLOSE SHOT of SEAMUS.

Tears stream down his face. As his dad clears the crowd and

reaches the ambulance on his own two feet, Seamus takes off

in a full sprint and covers the fifty yards in seconds. Pete

stands still.

SEAMUS

Dad! Dad! Dad!

Joe looks up and before he knows it Seamus is jumping into

his arms.

Joe puts Seamus down instantly and starts to scream.

JOE

What the hell are you doing here?

Jesus Christ Seamus! Jesus Christ!

Seamus’s face turns white. Joe looks up and sees Pete standing

on the corner frozen.

JOE

And you brought your brother?

Joe slaps Seamus across the face.

JOE

How many times have I told you not

to chase fire engines! It’s dangerous.

You could have killed yourself and

your brother. Go home! And wait for

me in your room!

Seamus turns around and walks toward Pete. Seamus reaches

Pete, who is still frozen. Seamus never looks up from the

pavement.

SEAMUS

Come on.

Pete looks at his dad, who now sits on the back of the

ambulance as paramedics care for him. Pete looks further at

Rabbi Jacobsen. Danny Jacobsen, six years old and bald,

catches Pete’s eye. They look at each other. Pete turns and

walks away.

CUT TO:

INT. FAMILY ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

The O’Malley family sits around the TV and watches the news,

which is reporting live from the fire, which still simmers

in the background.

WE GO UP THE STAIRS AND DOWN THE HALLWAY to Pete and Seamus’s

room.

They both sit on their beds staring quietly at the ceiling.

Seamus throws a tennis ball to himself. The front door opens

and screams of DAD fill the house. Pete turns and looks at

Seamus. Seamus fixates on the rotation of the ball as it

leaves his hand. He repeats this over and over. Joe enters

the bedroom and closes the door behind him.

Pete and Seamus sit up. Joe grabs a chair and flips it around

so he’s leaning forward on the back of the chair.

JOE

How many times have I told you boys?

Seamus begins to speak. Joe cuts him off.

JOE

People die in fires. You don’t chase

fires, you run away from them. That

family lost a ten year old boy in

that fire today.

PETE

Rabbi Jacobsen’s son died?

Joe nods.

JOE

What were you two doing in that

neighborhood?

Pete and Seamus stay silent.

JOE

You’re both grounded. You can’t leave

this block. If I find either one of

you outside this block or hear that

either one of you left this block,

you will get a whooping that you

will still feel on your sixteenth

birthday.

SEAMUS

But the baseball field...

JOE

That’s it.

Joe stands up and exits the room. Seamus gets off his bed

and grabs his glove. He starts to pound the ball into his

glove.

PETE

I’m sorry. It’s my fault.

Seamus stares out the window.

CUT TO:

EXT. BACKYARD - HOUR LATER

Joe sits in the backyard alone on a lounge chair drinking an

Old Style beer. A floodlight illuminates the backyard. The

backdoor opens and shuts. Joe continues to stare out. Pete

grabs a chair, spins it around like his dad, and leans forward

on the back of the chair.

Nothing is said for a few seconds as Pete stares out. Joe

doesn’t look at Pete.

JOE

What are you doing up?

PETE

Couldn’t sleep.

(Pause)

Dad, Seamus was only in the area

because he was checking up on me.

Joe takes a big sip from his beer.

PETE

I’m on a quest. To meet a Jewish

person and help them get to heaven.

Joe takes another sip from his beer.

JOE

Jewish people can’t go to heaven.

PETE

Mom says they can be converted.

Through Jesus. I asked Father Kelly

and he said that is the role of a

good Christian.

Joe takes another sip.

PETE

So I’ve been going over to the temple

on Oakley. Looking for Jewish people.

I met Rabbi Jacobsen. He’s like a

priest over at the synagogue. He’s

been real nice. And I feel really

bad for him now that his son has

died.

Silence.

JOE

How old are you?

PETE

Seven. And a half. You know.

JOE

You should be playing baseball and

going to the pool. And asleep by

nine.

PETE

Seamus was just seeing how things

were going.

JOE

Don’t go to that synagogue anymore.

You go to church. Let the Jewish

people take care of themselves.

PETE

But I’m on a quest.

JOE

Not anymore. The Jews will be Jews.

And Christians will be Christians.

Don’t try to change things at seven

and a half.

Pete stares out at the backyard.

JOE

Get to bed.

CUT TO:

INT. JOE’S BEDROOM - LATER

Margaret lays in bed watching "The Tonight Show" when Joe

walks out of the bathroom. He jumps into bed and watches TV

with her.

MARGARET

How bad was it?

Joe shakes his head.

MARGARET

Joe, I can’t raise these kids alone

and I’ve gained too much weight to

find a new husband.

Joe laughs and squeezes her stomach.

JOE

Too much weight? You’re skinnier and

more beautiful than the first day I

met you.

Margaret laughs.

MARGARET

Your charm worked on me when I was a

teenager. I see what I see. Tell me

about the fire.

JOE

It was a fire. They’re never good.

Margaret knocks on the wall that the bed lays against. She

turns her head and faces the wall.

MARGARET

(sarcastic to the

wall)

Tell me about your day.

(As wall)

Well, it was a day like any other

day. I stood firm, attached to the

floor.

JOE

Whaddaya want from me?

MARGARET

Not the tough guy I’m being

interviewed I did my job routine.

Joe touches Margaret’s stomach and rubs it.

JOE

If you were skinnier when we met, I

don’t remember. And there’s no way I

liked it.

Margaret pushes his hand away and rolls over. Joe twists the

pillow in half and stares at the ceiling.

JOE

Did you know Pete was going to a

synagogue to convert Jewish people?

Margaret laughs.

JOE

I’m not finding that as funny.

Margaret rolls over and faces Joe.

MARGARET

Pete is searching for meaning in his

life.

JOE

He’s seven. Baseball is the only

meaning in a seven year old’s life.

MARGARET

Some kids are destined for greater

things than baseball.

JOE

I don’t know honey. Sounds like Pete’s

looking for a recipe to get beat up.

I told him to leave those people

alone. Don’t let him go over there.

MARGARET

I can’t watch these kid’s every move.

Molly needs my constant attention.

All I know is he walks out of the

house in the morning, and when he

comes back, he’s clean and nobody’s

calling to say he was trouble.

JOE

Now that’s parenting 101. My kid’s

clean and nobody says he’s trouble.

Am I going to have to work and raise

the kids?

MARGARET

Don ’t start with me Joe.

Margaret rolls over. Joe spoons up against her.

JOE

Maybe we should bring another kid

into the world who’s clean and doesn’t

cause any trouble?

MARGARET

Well, if you’re looking for my womb,

I think it fell out over there when

I was dusting. Have at it.

Joe rolls back over and watches "The Tonight Show".

CUT TO:

EXT. FIREHOUSE - A FEW DAYS LATER

Joe sits on a lounge chair outside of the firehouse with a

few other firemen playing cards. Roger, his brother and fellow

fireman, is studying the sports page.

ROGER

The Sox hit lefties hard. Zisk loves

lefties.

No comments.

ROGER

I think you gotta take the Sox tonight

plus one fifty. They’re a good bet.

A buck to win a buck fifty.

JOE

Why you try to convince us? You never

bet against the Sox. Ever.

ROGER

I like their lineup. It’s explosive.

JOE

You ever think about betting the

other team. When you’re betting,

don’t let your heart get in the way

of a good decision.

ROGER

Yeah, but when your heart and mind

are in together, it’s a sure bet.

JOE

Funny how your heart and mind always

say Sox.

JACK

Gin!

Joe throws his cards down.

JOE

Shut the hell up Roger. Jack’s

crushing me cause of you.

(To Jack)

You should be a garbage man the way

you pick up every card I throw. You

do that to piss me off, Jack?

Jack adds the score.

JACK

I do it to win. Five hundred to two

twenty. At a nickel a point. Fourteen

bucks you owe me.

Joe goes into his pocket and fishes out fourteen dollars.

Rabbi Jacobsen walks up the driveway with his son Danny. The

rabbi has two tinfoiled trays and Danny carries two bottles

of red wine.

RABBI

Gentlemen.

The men get quiet. Joe walks over to help the rabbi with the

trays.

Roger takes the wine from Danny.

RABBI

My wife, my son, and I wanted to

thank you for your bravery and

kindness.

The rabbi looks down at Danny. Danny’s White Sox hat covers

his bald head.

DANNY

Thank you.

The men, still quiet, nod. Jack takes a tray from Joe and

the other tray from the rabbi. Joe puts out his hand.

JOE

Rabbi, Joe O’Malley. I’m sorry for

your loss.

The men nod in agreement.

RABBI

Thank you. My son David was a good

boy.

The rabbi looks at the shiny red fire trucks.

RABBI

He loved you firemen. Never understood

why I couldn’t be a fireman on the

side and park the firetruck outside

the house.

The men laugh. Danny smiles. Joe nudges Roger and points to

his head. Roger nods knowingly and walks into the firehouse.

RABBI

My wife figures the best way to thank

a man is through his stomach. She

baked some lasagna for all of you in

appreciation.

DANNY

It’s real good.

Joe looks at Danny.

JOE

I bet it is.

(To Rabbi)

My guys love a good meal, but I wish

your wife wouldn’t have. We were

just doing our job.

RABBI

A heroic job you do. My wife wanted

to thank you personally. My synagogue

will want to thank you formally.

Joe looks down. Not heroic enough to save your other son,

Joe thinks.

RABBI

I don’t know if you’re allowed to

drink red wine on the job, but lasagna

just isn’t as good without a fine

wine.

JACK

Nothing is as good without a fine

wine.

Roger comes back with a plastic firehat and button.

ROGER

This is for you. A deputy fire chief.

Danny takes off his White Sox hat and hands it to his dad.

He puts on the firehat.

DANNY

Thanks.

ROGER

You’re welcome. You a big Sox fan?

DANNY

Huge. Zisk crushes the ball.

ROGER

Especially against lefties. You wanna

check out the firetruck?

Danny looks at his dad excitedly, His dad nods. Roger takes

Danny by the hand and walks back into the firehouse. The

other men follow.

Joe stays out with Rabbi Jacobsen. The rabbi breaks the

silence.

RABBI

It is Jewish custom to sit chiva at

the house of the deceased. It is a

sign of support to the family of the

deceased.

JOE

Like a wake.

RABBI

Yes, like a wake. I know you are a

busy man, but if you have time, I

would be honored if you could stop

by and sit for a few minutes with my

family and friends.

JOE

You bet.

RABBI

Obviously, it is not at my home. But

at my brothers on 2243 Damen.

JOE

2243?

RABBI

Anytime after seven PM all week.

Danny is on the back of the truck.

DANNY

Dad! Check me out!

RABBI

Children realize life is about living.

And death is about life. Do you have

any children of your own?

Joe laughs.

JOE

Yep. I’ve got children all right.

Eight.

RABBI

Eight? A blessed man.

Joe rolls his eyes as if the blessing isn’t always so.

RABBI

The O’Malley clan? By any chance, is

a beautiful young redhead named Pete

yours?

Joe nods in embarrassment.

RABBI

Your bravery has been passed on.

He’s the most earnest, delightful

young man I have ever met.

JOE

I found out he’s been a nuisance at

your temple and I’ve reprimanded

him. He won’t be bothering you

anymore.

RABBI

Your son is a welcome sight at the

temple.

Danny screams as he sits in the rear driving seat. Joe and

the rabbi look at Danny.

JOE

Do you mind if I ask?

Joe points to his head.

RABBI

Luekemia. Chemotherapy.

JOE

I’m sorry. So sorry.

RABBI

God has a plan. A mysterious plan

for my family.

Joe and the rabbi watch Danny.

RABBI

If you can find time, we would love

to have you at my brother’s house.

Bring Pete. It would be good for

everyone spirits to see a child so

full of life like your son.

Joe smiles.

JOE

He’s full of something.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY FAMILY ROOM - LATER THAT DAY

Pete and Seamus lay on the floor playing "All Star Baseball".

Katie dances around to music from the record player. Baby

Molly sleeps in the crib. Patrick walks in the door with the

day’s mail. Katie runs over and grabs the mail from him.

KATIE

Getting the mail is my job.

She punches him, hands over the mail to Katie, who takes it

over to the table. She rifles through the mail. Katie can’t

read.

KATIE

Bill! Bill! Bill! Looks like all

bills.

Katie gets up and starts to dance. Patrick sits down and

looks at the mail. A few pieces of official mail are addressed

to him. Patrick opens them up and reads them. Patrick crumples

the paper and leaves it on the table. He walks away from the

table.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY KITCHEN - EARLY NIGHT

The family sits at the dinner table. Tommy and Eddie are

missing from the table. The kids eat pot roast and roasted

potatoes.

JOE

The boys game started at six?

SEAMUS

Doubleheader. Uncle Roger, Billy,

and Roger junior are going.

Joe looks at Margaret. She nods.

JOE

You finish your chores?

SEAMUS

Yep.

Joe nods. Pete looks at his dad.

JOE

Rabbi Jacobsen invited you and me to

a... a... chivas at his house.

PETE

Rabbi Jacobsen? Chivas?

JOE

Yep. Like a wake. I told him we would

be there.

Joe looks at Margaret. She smiles.

PETE

How’s he doing?

JOE

It’s gotta be tough.

PETE

Yeah.

JOE

We’ll go and then catch the second

game.

PETE

Yeah. We’ll do that.

SEAMUS

Tell Rabbi Jacobsen I’m sorry for

him.

PETE

I will.

JOE

You know he’s got a boy your age. I

met him today. He’ll be there.

Pete nods.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY KITCHEN - AFTER DINNER

Joe and Margaret still sit at the table. Joe drinks a beer

while Margaret drinks coffee. Mary rocks Molly. Seamus stands

at the sink scraping food and washing dishes. He hands them

to Pete, who stands on a stool and rinses the dishes. Pete

hands the dishes to Katie, who places the dishes in the

dishwasher.

JOE

The rabbi’s other kid has leukemia.

MARGARET

We’ve been blessed. I don’t know how

we’ve been so lucky, but I’m not to

question it.

JOE

Stupid electrical wiring. Those damn

old houses weren’t built for modern

wiring.

Patrick walks by.

JOE

Hey, lifesaver, why don’t you sit

down?

Patrick takes a seat.

JOE

So, your mother thinks you got some

news?

Patrick plays with his fork.

PATRICK

Maybe I’ll take a look at the job

over at the city planners office.

Joe pauses.

JOE

It’s a good job with nice benefits.

I’ll talk to Alderman McManus about

it.

Patrick stays silent.

JOE

Well, don’t go there with that

attitude. The alderman’s doing us a

favor. So don’t go acting like a

punk.

From the kitchen, Katie mimics her dad.

KATIE

Yeah, don’t go acting like a punk.

Patrick stays silent.

JOE

A lot of kids your age don’t have a

chance like this.

PATRICK

A lot of kids my age go to college.

Not to work.

JOE

Yeah, and when they graduate, they’re

four years behind you in the working

world. All they’ve learned from

college is how to smoke pot and sleep.

PATRICK

The good jobs nowadays require a

college degree.

JOE

A city job is a good job, and all it

requires is hard work and a good

attitude.

PATRICK

The Irish way. Get a city job, work

hard, have forty kids, retire on a

crap pension in the same house you

lived in all your life.

JOE

You wanna be some hotshot bigshot,

have one point two kids, live in the

suburbs in a big house with no love

to fill a closet, and retire to

Florida to die like a raisin?

PATRICK

Yeah, what if do?

JOE

Then go ahead. Be like the Jews.

Have no more than two kids because

it’s not economical to have more.

Make every decision based on money.

Raise your kids to base their life

on the size of their wallet. Raise

them to worship the almighty dollar,

not God.

PATRICK

No, Dad, I shouldn’t raise my kids

to base their worth on the size of

their wallet when I can teach them

to base it on how much booze they

can handle without puking.

Joe gets up and cracks Patrick. The kids run to their mom.

JOE

You ungrateful, smartass prick. You

got all the answers at eighteen,

don’t you?

PATRICK

No, but maybe if I work a city fucking

job, I’ll have all the answers at

forty.

Joe cracks Patrick upside the head and knocks him over. The

kids scream. Patrick gets up. He thinks about charging his

dad, but decides to walk out of the kitchen and out of the

house. The kids cry. Margaret shakes her head. Joe finishes

his beer.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY STATION WAGON - AN HOUR LATER

Pete and Joe drive in the wagon. The White Sox broadcast

blares from the radio. They drive in silence.

CUT TO:

INT. RABBI JACOBSEN’S BROTHER’S HOUSE - MINUTES LATER

Pete and Joe enter the house. A lot of people sit quietly.

The rabbi’s brother greets them.

JEFFREY

I’m Jeffrey Jacobsen, Kenny’s brother.

We’re glad you could make it.

Pete hands Jeffrey some flowers. The room is void of any

flowers.

Jeffrey looks around for a place to put the flowers.

JEFFREY

I’ll bring this in the kitchen.

Thanks. Can I get you anything to drink?

JOE

Scotch.

JEFFREY

I’ll check to see if I have any

scotch. If not?

JOE

A beer.

JEFFREY

I’ll check to see if I have any beer.

If not?

JOE

You know what, I’m fine.

JEFFREY

You sure?

JOE

Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks.

Jeffrey looks at Pete.

PETE

No thanks.

People sit on the couch. A picture of David sits prominently

on the table. A handsome young boy. Joe works his way over

to Mrs. Jacobsen, who sits on the couch. Mrs. Jacobsen, a

pretty but plain dark haired woman, shakes Joe’s hand.

JOE

I am sorry for your loss, Mrs.

Jacobsen.

MRS. JACOBSEN

Thank you.

Pete stands quietly next to his dad. A gentlemen gets up

from the couch facing Mrs. Jacobsen and motions for Pete and

Joe to sit. They sit. Small, quiet conversations take place

around them. Pete and Joe sit quietly. Rabbi Jacobsen enters

the room with Danny. He walks over to Joe, who has stood up

to greet the rabbi. Joe puts out his hand. The rabbi shakes

his hand, but also moves in to hug Joe. Joe moves in

unexpectedly for the hug. The rabbi picks up Pete and hugs

him. Pete laughs.

RABBI

My family is grateful to you.

Joe nods. Danny waves to Joe. Joe waves to him. Danny looks

at Pete.

DANNY

You wanna check out my room that I’m

sharing with my cousin?

Pete looks at his dad. Joe gives him the OK. Pete and Danny

take off.

CUT TO:

INT. DANNY’S ROOM - SECONDS LATER

Danny shows Pete his autographed glove. Sandy Koufax!

DANNY

My dad says it’s rare cause Mr. Koufax

rarely signed things.

PETE

Yeah. Was he good?

DANNY

I think so.

Danny hands Pete another glove.

DANNY

This was my brothers. You wanna play

catch?

PETE

In the house?

Danny grabs a tennis ball.

DANNY

Yeah. It’s just a tennis ball.

PETE

Sure.

Danny fires a strike.

PETE

How’d you lose your hair?

DANNY

Leukemia. It’s cancer. I take this

medicine that makes me lose my hair.

PETE

Does it hurt?

DANNY

No. The hair just fell out. I used

to have black hair.

PETE

I’ve got red hair.

DANNY

My friend Charlie’s got red hair.

They throw the ball back and forth.

PETE

I’m sorry about your brother.

DANNY

Thanks. You know, since my cancer,

he didn’t beat me up as much. We had

fun together. Do you have any

brothers?

PETE

Four older brothers.

DANNY

Wow. You must get your butt kicked?

Pete nods.

PETE

My older sister’s worse. My brothers

just punch me in the gut. She pulls

my hair. That hurts. I wish I were

bald then.

Danny smiles.

PETE

Was the fire scary?

DANNY

I don’t know what happened. David

was watching cartoons in the TV room.

I was upstairs playing baseball. And

then I noticed a lot of smoke. I

opened my door but there was a lot

of fire. I tried to open my window,

but I couldn’t. I couldn’t see the

fire anymore because the smoke got

so thick. And then your dad came in.

He saved my life, I think. It was

nothing like the fire drills you do

in school.

PETE

Where do you go to school?

DANNY

Briarwood. How ’bout you?

PETE

Holy Cross. Going into third grade.

DANNY

I’m going into second. I missed a

lot of first grade with all of the

chemotherapy. That’s what they call

the cancer medicine.

The boys throw the ball back and forth.

PETE

What’s it like to be Jewish?

DANNY

I don’t know. Good.

PETE

I’m Catholic.

DANNY

What’s that like?

PETE

Noisier.

DANNY

Things are usually noisier around

here. But everyone’s really sad.

PETE

My Uncle Jim died a few weeks ago.

He was old. He was really my

grandfather’s brother, but we still

called him Uncle Jim.

DANNY

I got an uncle like that. Harvey.

PETE

You would have thought my uncle’s

funeral was a birthday party.

DANNY

Sounds like fun.

PETE

Yeah it is. My mom says that people

are sad because they love the person,

but are happy cause they get to go

to heaven. Jewish people can’t go to

heaven.

DANNY

Why not?

PETE

Cause they’re Jewish. God doesn’t

let Jewish people in heaven.

Danny’s quiet.

PETE

If you’re interested, I think I can

show you how to get to heaven.

DANNY

Yeah?

PETE

Yep. I would just have to convert

you.

DANNY

How do you do that?

PETE

I don’t know. I haven’t converted

anyone before.

DANNY

What can I do in heaven?

PETE

Anything you want. They call it

paradise.

DANNY

Sounds good. When can we start?

PETE

Tomorrow.

DANNY

I got my last chemotherapy treatment

on Friday. So that gives us all week.

PETE

Fine. Let’s meet at your dad’s

synagogue.

DANNY

OK.

The boys toss the ball back and forth.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY STATION WAGON - LATER

Pete and Joe sit in the wagon.

JOE

Danny’s a good kid, huh?

PETE

Yeah. His medicine makes him bald.

But it doesn’t hurt. I’m gonna convert

him.

Joe shakes his head.

JOE

Leave him alone.

PETE

He wants to.

JOE

But his parents don’t. Look, he’s

Jewish. His family’s Jewish. If they

wanted to be Christian, his parents

would change.

PETE

But it’s a quest.

JOE

The quest has been called off.

PETE

I promised Danny. We’re meeting at

the synagogue.

JOE

Well, I’m breaking that promise. You

can’t go converting Jewish kids the

same way they don’t go converting

you.

PETE

But he wants to.

JOE

I said no. No more lip from you. Do

not go to that synagogue and do not

bother Danny or his family anymore.

Do you understand me?

Pete doesn’t answer.

JOE

Do you understand me? If I find out

you’ve been going over there, you

will get the spanking of a lifetime

and be grounded until you’re sixteen.

Do you understand?

PETE

Yes.

The lights of the local baseball field illuminate the night.

Joe turns into the parking lot.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - NEXT DAY

Danny, with his White Sox hat covering his bald head, stands

outside the synagogue. DIFFERENT SHOTS of Danny waiting.

Danny finally decides Pete is not showing up. He gets on his

bike and turns the corner back toward his uncle’s house. As

he passes an alley, Pete pops out and almost scares Danny

off his bike. Pete sneaks back into the alley.

DANNY

What are you doing?

PETE

Our quest has to be done in secret.

Our mission is now undercover.

DANNY

Why?

PETE

Cause.

DANNY

What’s our mission?

PETE

To get you to heaven.

DANNY

Right. How we gonna know I got to

heaven?

PETE

We’ll just know.

DANNY

So what are we gonna do?

PETE

We got to set up some tests.

DANNY

Like school.

PETE

Yeah. But those tests aren’t fun.

What’s the purpose of making it to

heaven if the tests aren’t fun?

DANNY

Have you taken any of these tests?

Pete thinks.

PETE

Since I’m Catholic, I don’t think I

have to. It’s just automatic.

DANNY

That’s cool.

PETE

Yeah. But you know what. For my first

communion next year, I have to

complete first communion training.

DANNY

What’s communion?

PETE

This piece of bread that is Jesus.

DANNY

And you eat it?

PETE

Yep.

DANNY

Gross.

PETE

I watch people eat it and they don’t

gross out. And my brothers say it

tastes like wheat bread.

DANNY

Not as good as white. So I should do

the first communion training.

PETE

I haven’t done it yet, so I don’t

know what it is.

DANNY

Darn.

PETE

But we can make up our own.

The kids think.

DANNY

How about something like Bruce Jenner

and a decathlon? Win the decathlon,

go to heaven.

Pete thinks.

PETE

Yeah, something like that.

DANNY

And then we should have a gold medal

ceremony. Gotta have a medal.

PETE

Communion can be your medal.

DANNY

The Jesus wheat bread?

PETE

Yeah.

DANNY

I’d rather have a medal.

PETE

We can talk about it later. Let’s

go, we can’t be spotted.

DANNY

Why can’t we spotted?

PETE

We’re undercover.

DANNY

Right.

CUT TO:

INT. ELEVATED TRAIN - MINUTES LATER

Pete and Danny sit on the Elevated Train that runs from

Chicago’s north side to its south side. Pete looks out the

window. They pass a car wash. Danny looks up and down the

aisle.

DANNY

My parents don’t let me on the El

without them.

PETE

Father Kelly always talks about a

risk reward. I think you’ll be OK if

your parents find out. We’ll just

explain the risk was worth the reward.

DANNY

Right.

CUT TO:

EXT. OAK STREET BEACH - MINUTES LATER

The beach is pretty full. Lake Michigan’s waves crash weakly

against the rocks. Gymnastic rings are set up at the north

side of the beach along with an area filled with weights.

Elevated five feet above the beach is a paved area for runners

and bikers.

PETE

If we see my sister, just start

running.

DANNY

How am I gonna know it’s your sister?

PETE

I’ll be running.

DANNY

Right.

The boys look around. Two teenage girls in bikinis walk past

them.

The boys smile. The girls smile back. Danny does his best

Fonz impression. Pete laughs.

PETE

Bruce Jenner is faster, stronger,

and can jump higher than anyone else.

So that’s how we should do this.

DANNY

OK. I’m fast.

PETE

But first, you need to be baptized.

My baby sister just got baptized. We

all got baptized. I don’t remember

mine, but I’ve seen pictures.

Danny nods.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAKE MICHIGAN - MINUTES LATER

Pete is trying to pick up Danny by his ankles. He lifts Danny

up and they both fall into the water. Pete, determined to do

it right, then grabs Danny by the ankles and lifts. Danny’s

head, along with his shoulders, wade back and forth in the

water.

PETE

Amen!

Pete lets go of Danny’s legs and Danny crashes completely

into the water. Pete falls in also. They both wipe away the

water from their faces.

PETE

I think it would have been easier if

you were a baby.

DANNY

Let’s get started. What should we do

first?

CUT TO:

EXT. OAK STREET BEACH - LATER

A SERIES OF SHOTS. Pete counting as Danny runs toward him.

Danny hanging from a ring as Pete counts him down. Pete and

Danny talking to a man with weights. Danny trying to lift

the weight. He can’t.

Pete tries. He can’t. They take off some of the weight. Danny

lifts the weight over his head. Danny climbs a small hill of

rocks. Pete waits for him at the bottom, about six feet below.

Danny jumps, hits the sand, and rolls.

CUT TO:

EXT. OAK STREET BEACH - LATER

Pete and Danny alternating turns drinking from a thermos.

DANNY

Nine down. One to go.

PETE

This one’s gotta be tough.

DANNY

Some of those were tough.

PETE

Yeah, but the last one’s gotta be

real tough. Something that takes

strength, speed, and courage.

DANNY

I don’t know.

PETE

What can’t you do well?

DANNY

I’m not a strong swimmer.

Pete looks out to Lake Michigan. A buoy signals the spot

where the lifeguards don’t want you to swim past.

PETE

Swim out to the buoy.

Danny looks for the buoy.

DANNY

I can’t even see the buoy.

Pete points to it.

DANNY

I can’t get there.

PETE

You’re going to have to if you wanna

win the decathlon.

Pete and Danny head toward the water.

PETE

Look, I’m not asking you to do

something I can’t. When I was your

age, I could swim to the buoy.

DANNY

Do I have to get to the buoy and

back under a certain amount of time.

Pete looks at the buoy. He looks at Danny.

PETE

What do you think?

DANNY

No.

PETE

Getting there and back is enough.

Danny smiles.

PETE

Don’t worry. I’m here. And there are

lifeguards everywhere.

Danny starts swimming. He dips his head in the water and

slowly one arm dives in the water while one arm raises out

of the water. He brings his whole head out of the water to

breathe, dips his head in the water, and repeats the process.

Halfway to the buoy, he tries to pick his head up to see

where the buoy is. He begins to sink and panics. His arms

start to flail. Pete dives into the water as Danny turns his

body so he can float on his back. Pete reaches Danny and

grabs him.

PETE

You OK?

DANNY

I couldn’t make it. And then I

remembered what my swim teacher taught

me about floating. But I don’t think

I could float there and back.

PETE

No, I don’t think so either. Can you

make it back?

Danny nods and rolls over to his front. Danny starts swimming

in and Pete follows him.

CUT TO:

INT. EL TRAIN - MINUTES LATER

Pete and Danny sit on the El. Danny’s dejected.

PETE

In one day you passed nine tests.

God’s gotta be happy with you.

DANNY

Yeah, but I don’t know how I’m gonna

pass the last one. That’s tough.

PETE

Look, we got all week. Trust me. You

can do it.

DANNY

I hope so. I really want to go to

heaven.

PETE

You will. Do kids die from what you

have?

Danny nods.

DANNY

The first time I took chemotherapy,

two other boys and a girl took it

with me. When they started me on it

a second time, I was the only one.

The others died.

PETE

How do you know?

DANNY

I asked. The nurses got all quiet.

Grown ups always get quiet when they

talk about death.

PETE

Not at my uncle’s funeral.

DANNY

Sometimes I hear my parents talk

about it late at night and they cry.

I feel so bad. And now with my

brother, my mom cries all day and

night. I don’t want her to be so sad

if I die.

PETE

No, I wouldn’t want that either.

DANNY

So if I can convince her that I’m

going to paradise, maybe she won’t

be so sad.

Pete nods. The boys look out the window.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAKE MICHIGAN - THE NEXT DAY

Danny swims out toward the buoy. He doesn’t make it. He floats

and waits for Pete. He follows Pete back to the shore.

PETE

I don’t understand. You look like

you’re going to get there, and then

you don’t.

DANNY

I don’t know.

PETE

But you swim back to shore fine with

me.

DANNY

I know.

PETE

So what is it?

DANNY

I look up to see where the buoy is,

and I can’t see it. And then I start

to realize how far out I am and...

PETE

What if I go with you?

DANNY

No. I gotta do it alone.

PETE

Well maybe if you don’t look up.

DANNY

But then I don’t know where I am.

PETE

We’ll figure this out.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAKE MICHIGAN - NEXT DAY

Danny puts on the goggles. But he still can’t do it.

CUT TO:

EXT. OAK STREET BEACH - MINUTES LATER

Pete puts on the goggles. He looks out toward the buoy.

PETE

I can see fine.

Pete hands the goggles to Danny. Danny puts them on and looks

toward the buoy.

DANNY

I can see it from here. But when I

get in the water, I can’t see it and

then everything starts getting really

fast and I can’t go any further.

Pete plays with the sand. Danny scoops sand and throws it.

PETE

Stand up.

Danny stands. Pete raises Danny’s hands over his head. Pete

then raises his hands over his head. He measures the

difference.

PETE

You stay here and watch me swim to

the buoy. I’ll be right back.

Pete swims out to the buoy.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAKE MICHIGAN - MINUTES LATER

Pete swims ashore.

PETE

It took me fifty strokes there, and

fifty five strokes back. One hundred

and five strokes.

DANNY

So?

PETE

Your problem is when you look up and

you can’t see the buoy, you get scared

and panic.

DANNY

I don’t get scared.

PETE

Yeah you do.

DANNY

No I don’t.

PETE

Listen. All you have to do is count

your strokes. You don’t need to look

up. Can you count to fifty?

DANNY

Yeah.

PETE

Well, I’m a little bigger so it’s

going to take you a few more strokes.

Can you count to sixty?

DANNY

Yep.

PETE

Well then, just count to sixty strokes

and then swim back. It might take

you a few more strokes on the way

back.

DANNY

I can do that. But I’m real tired

and I need to get back for my

treatment this afternoon.

PETE

Right. Tomorrow. Tomorrow you complete

the decathlon.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - THAT AFTERNOON

Danny sitting in a chair with IV’s stuck in him. He’s watching

the White Sox. Through the door window, a doctor speaks to

Rabbi Jacobsen and his wife.

DOCTOR

This last treatment will weaken his

immune system greatly. The red blood

cells don’t seem to be responding,

so we upped the dosage.

RABBI

What’s the prognosis?

DOCTOR

I don’t know. If this treatment

doesn’t work, I don’t think there’s

anymore we can do.

MRS. JACOBSEN

Why? Isn’t there a stronger dosage

or more intensive treatment?

DOCTOR

This is the most intensive treatment.

And a stronger dosage would kill

him.

Mrs. Jacobsen goes to speak but the rabbi grabs her hand. He

squeezes it. The Jacobsen’s enter the room.

DANNY

The Sox are getting clobbered Dad.

RABBI

They’ve been getting clobbered all

my life.

DANNY

Mine too.

The rabbi squeezes his wife’s hand.

CUT TO:

EXT. SYNAGOGUE - NEXT MORNING

Pete sits in the a doorway hidden from plain sight. The rabbi

walks up to Pete.

RABBI

Danny told me I might find you here.

PETE

I don’t know how he knew I would be

here.

The rabbi smiles.

RABBI

Danny wanted me to tell you that he

wouldn’t be able to complete the

decathlon today.

Pete stares at the Rabbi, hoping to be able to figure out

how much the rabbi knows.

RABBI

You see, the medicine Danny’s

taking...

PETE

Chemotherapy.

RABBI

Yep. Chemotherapy. It zaps him of

his strength. And weakens his ability

to fight off disease.

PETE

Sounds like bad medicine.

RABBI

Yes it does. But that’s how doctors

fight cancer.

PETE

My oldest brother wants to become a

doctor. My mom always tells me to do

my homework so I can be smart and

become a doctor.

RABBI

It’s a noble profession.

PETE

My dad thinks they play too much

golf. And they charge like assholes.

RABBI

I hate to disagree with your dad,

but he probably wouldn’t want you

using that word.

PETE

Seamus says you can use swear words

if you’re quoting someone.

RABBI

Seamus sounds like a fine journalist.

Is your oldest brother going to

college to study medicine?

PETE

No. He can’t afford college.

RABBI

Higher education is expensive. But

worth it if you work hard.

PETE

Rabbi, when do you think Danny will

be better?

RABBI

I did not study medicine in college,

but even if I did, I don’t think I

could answer that. It’s in God’s

hands now.

PETE

Well, you’re close with God. Hopefully

that rubs off a little on Danny. I

hope he gets better, we’ve got some

unfinished business.

RABBI

I hope so too. Praying for Danny is

all we can do now.

PETE

OK. I’ll pray to Jesus, you pray to

God, and hopefully somebody listens.

RABBI

That’s a deal.

Pete jumps on his bike.

PETE

See ya later Rabbi Jacobsen.

CUT TO:

INT. HOLY CROSS CHURCH - MINUTES LATER

Pete sits by himself in a pew at church. Father Kelly, 71,

snow white hair, skin cancered face, cantankerous old man,

notices Pete and walks over.

FATHER

Mr. O’Malley? Are you lost?

PETE

Hey Father. No, I promised a friend

I’d pray for him. He’s sick.

FATHER

Well, maybe I can say a prayer for

him also.

Father Kelly sits down next to Pete.

PETE

His name’s Danny. He’s got cancer.

Father Kelly does the sign of the cross. He closes his eyes.

Pete stares at him. Father Kelly opens one eye at Pete.

FATHER

You finish your prayer?

Pete nods.

FATHER

Well, let me finish my prayers without

you bothering me.

Pete stands up and walks toward the altar. Father Kelly

watches him.

FATHER

Where are you going?

PETE

Just checking out how this place

looks from your seat.

Pete takes a seat in a chair to the left of the altar. Father

Kelly stands and walks toward the altar.

FATHER

That’s my seat. Don’t mess it up.

PETE

You get nervous with everyone looking

at you?

FATHER

I’m used to being looked at.

PETE

You ever get nervous that you won’t

know what to say or you’ll forget

what you wanted to say?

FATHER

No.

PETE

How do you get paid?

FATHER

That’s between me and the IRS.

PETE

Do you get the collection money?

FATHER

No. Someone tell you I did?

Pete shakes his head.

FATHER

Do you need to get home?

Pete shakes his head.

PETE

Your job’s to help people to get to

heaven, right?

Father Kelly nods.

PETE

How do you know if you’ve done your

job good?

FATHER

Well. I pray that I do it well. Why?

You have any complaints?

PETE

You ever actually seen someone in

heaven?

Father Kelly shakes his head.

PETE

Then how do you know if the people

you’re helping made it to heaven?

FATHER

Faith.

PETE

Faith?

FATHER

Yep. Believing in something completely

without actually having proof of it.

Faith. I don’t have any proof of

heaven, but I have faith it exists.

PETE

What’s the best way to get to heaven?

FATHER

By believing in Jesus and doing as

he taught us.

PETE

How do we know if we’re doing that?

Is there some test?

FATHER

Life is a test.

PETE

But then you need to die to figure

out how you did on the test?

Father Kelly laughs. He nods. He opens the altar and fills

the chalice with hosts.

PETE

Don’t you just once want to know if

one of the people you prayed for

made it to heaven?

FATHER

In due time.

Father Kelly finishes filling the chalice with bread.

PETE

What’s the purpose of communion?

FATHER

To have a piece of Jesus be a part

of us.

PETE

Why do I have to wait till third

grade for that? Wouldn’t that help

me now?

FATHER

The Church believes that Catholics

should fulfill a few requirements

before they earn communion.

PETE

Like passing a few tests?

FATHER

Yes.

PETE

So if I pass all the tests, I get to

have communion.

FATHER

Yes.

PETE

Thanks Father. You’ve cleared up a

few things for me.

Pete runs off the altar.

FATHER

Good, glad the grilling is over.

CUT TO:

INT. O’MALLEY KITCHEN TABLE - THAT NIGHT

The family sits around the table.

MARGARET

Rabbi Jacobsen wanted to see if he

could stop by after work. I said

fine.

Pete’s eyes light up but he doesn’t want to say anything

that would get him in trouble.

JOE

This gratitude stuff is becoming

intrusive.

MARGARET

If the only fault you can find with

a person is that they go overboard

with kindness and gratitude, I can

live with that.

KATIE

Me too.

JOE

Yeah. Yeah.

(To Patrick’s chair)

Where’s knucklehead?

KATIE

He said he’d be home late for dinner.

JOE

Oh yeah. Did he say why?

KATIE

He told me to mind my own business.

JOE

He’s probably sitting on his ass

reading a book in that lifeguard

tower. Where the others?

SEAMUS

Tommy and Eddie have a game up north.

Another doubleheader. And Mary’s

eating at a friends.

The doorbell rings. Pete and Katie run to get it. Pete lets

Katie open the door. Rabbi Jacobsen stands with a tray of

rugala, a Jewish pastry.

RABBI

Hello. I know Pete, and whom may I

ask are you?

Katie puts her hand out. The rabbi goes to shake her hand

but she put her hand out to take the tray.

RABBI

This might be too big for you.

KATIE

I handle bigger trays than that in

the kitchen. How do you think I feed

eight kids?

The Rabbi nods and hands the dish to Katie. She carries it

into the kitchen.

PETE

How’s Danny doing?

RABBI

He’s doing better. Still not ready

to play but he said to say hi and

he’ll stop by to see you when he can

play again.

Pete looks back to see if his dad heard that. He didn’t.

PETE

Come on in. We’re just eating dinner.

The rabbi follows Pete into the kitchen. Seamus sits eating

his potatoes. He stands up and shakes the rabbi’s hand.

SEAMUS

Rabbi Jacobsen.

RABBI

Seamus. Nice to see you.

Joe stands up and shakes the rabbi’s hand. The rabbi walks

over and says hello to Margaret and pats little Molly on the

head.

MARGARET

Would you like some dinner? There’s

plenty.

The rabbi looks at the well sliced pieces of ham and huge

bowl of mashed potatoes.

RABBI

No thank you. My wife knows when

I’ve been eating other people’s

dinner. She considers it a form of

adultery.

Margaret laughs.

MARGARET

How ’bout some coffee?

RABBI

Sure.

Katie stands up and walks toward the coffee pot.

KATIE

Black? Cream? Sugar?

RABBI

Two sugars. Thank you.

KATIE

You’re welcome.

JOE

Please sit.

The rabbi takes a seat at the table.

JOE

How’s your little boy?

RABBI

Hanging in there, thank you. He just

finished more treatment and hopefully

this works.

JOE

We hope so too.

Margaret comes back with the rugala on a plate. Katie hands

the rabbi his coffee. Margaret takes a bite of the rugala.

MARGARET

It’s absolutely delicious.

The rabbi takes a little.

RABBI

She can’t get mad at me if I’m eating

her own stuff. Rugala, a Jewish

pastry. My favorite.

Margaret hands the rugala out to the boys and Joe. They’re

all very happy.

JOE

So what’s going on?

RABBI

Well, remember when I told you that

my congregation will want to formally

thank you for your bravery.

JOE

There’s no need, Rabbi. And that’s

the end of that.

RABBI

Well, maybe Margaret and you would

like to talk about it more in private?

Joe looks at the boys. Seamus’s busy eating his rugala and

Pete stares at the rabbi.

JOE

That’s OK.

RABBI

Well, you personally showed bravery

beyond the call of duty when you

saved Danny, and if it weren’t for

the gas pipe blowing up, you were

going back in against the wishes of

your partners.

Joe is embarrassed and quiet.

RABBI

The firemen saved the fire from

spreading and many of the people

from my temple live in that

neighborhood.

Patrick enters the front door. He walks into the kitchen.

MARGARET

Patrick, I would like you to meet

Rabbi Jacobsen.

RABBI

Patrick, your brother Peter has told

me much about you. Nice to meet you.

They shake hands.

PATRICK

Nice to meet you, Rabbi. I’m sorry

for your loss.

RABBI

Thank you. Well, Patrick, I was just

telling your father that my temple

would like to say thank you to him.

And it might interest you.

Patrick sits down.

RABBI

Pete has told me of your wish to go

to college and study medicine.

Patrick looks at Pete. Joe looks at Pete. Pete knows his

dad’s look is not the same as Patrick’s and Pete looks down.

RABBI

My temple gives educational

scholarships to deserving students,

and the scholarship board has

recommended Patrick for a full

scholarship to a state university.

Patrick’s jaw drops. Margaret sits shocked and Joe stands

up.

JOE

Rabbi Jacobsen, that is an extremely

kind offer, but one that we cannot

accept.

Patrick looks at Joe and tears form in his eyes.

RABBI

It would mean a lot to our

congregation and personally to my

family if you would accept it.

JOE

Other men risked their lives that

day and every other day.

RABBI

We understand that. But, to be frank,

it’s more personal than say giving

the fire department a sculpture in

gratitude. Your fire chief approved

it.

JOE

You spoke to my boss?

RABBI

Yes. We wanted to make sure it was

within the rules. The scholarship

board can only grant one scholarship,

and when Pete told me of Patrick’s

desire, I recommended Patrick.

JOE

I imagine they want to give it to

him in a big ceremony?

RABBI

Yes, I would imagine so. I think it

would be a good public gesture.

JOE

Free publicity for the temple.

Patrick stands up at that last comment.

MARGARET

Joe!

JOE

Rabbi, thank you for stopping over.

My son Pete has a big mouth, and my

family doesn’t need your handouts.

We thank you for your kindness.

PATRICK

You can’t do this to me.

JOE

You will shut your mouth.

The rabbi stands from the table. He thanks Margaret and Katie

for the coffee.

RABBI

I did not mean to cause any harm.

MARGARET

Rabbi, you have been anything but

harmful. Thank you.

The rabbi pats Pete and Seamus on the head. He heads for the

door.

RABBI

Mr. O’Malley. I did not intend for

this to be thought of as a handout

or a payout. But I did hope it would

serve as a steppingstone for our two

communities to come together. Have a

good night.

The rabbi walks out the front door.

PATRICK

You’re so proud that you won’t let

me accept it.

JOE

You have done nothing to deserve it.

It’s a publicity stunt.

MARGARET

It is not a publicity stunt. It is

returning an act of kindness with an