WARDS OF THE STATE

					(ExteriorCity StreetDay)

A nineteen sixtyseven Cadillac convertible
is driving along a street lined with palm
trees.  A car swerves in front of it and the
driver of the Cadillac hits his brakes.  He
is thrown out of the car.

					(ExteriorFuneral ParkDay)

Four young boys watch a casket lowered in the
ground.

					(InteriorCourt ChamberDay)

Judge:It is the decision of this court that these
orphans be placed in a State Foster Care
Program until suitable adoption arrangements
can be made for them.  It is our
determination that their natural grandmother,
Mrs. Mutumi, lacks the ability to properly
care for them.

Grandmother:But Your Honor.  I've taken care of them
their whole lives.b
J

Judge:Now, Mrs. Mutumi, the court recognizes the
pain this decision must bring to you. 
However, you have not demonstrated that you
have sufficient financial abilities to take
care of these four boys.

			Camera zooms in on the boys sitting side by
side.

Bailiff:All rise.  (The courtroom rises.  Judge
leaves the bench.)

Grandmother:But my babies.  They're taken' away my
babies.

The grandmother gathers the children, four
young boys between 5 and 14, around her. 
They are all terrified and clutch to her as
the juvenile officers take them away.

Grandmother:You be strong, Abdul, and make sure you get
all your brothers back.  It's in God's hands
now.

Abdul:Grans, we'll be back with you.  Don't give up
hope.  Be strong for us.

				The boys are led out of the room.d(InteriorHolding CenterNight)

The boys are gathered around an old beat up
piano, Ganna is playing to his heart's
content.

					We'll always be brothers.
					We'll always be friends.
					Life's got it's share of troubles.
					But it all works out in the end.

The youngest Kassi breaks down crying and
runs into Abdul's arms.

Kassi:I already know they're not going to find
anybody to take all of us in.  I know I'll be
by myself somewhere.  Abdul, please don't let
them take me away from you.  Please, Abdul.

Abdul:Little brother, you know I love you, and if
my hands were steel, I'd break us out of here
right now.  But the Man's got all the cards
and you're gonna have to go where he sends
you.  There is nothing I can do to stop them,
but little brother, no matter where you are
and where Benja and Ganna are, I promise you
on our father's grave, I'll come and get you
	and take you back to Grans.`			He picks up his little brother.

Abdul:There, there, don't cry.

Benja:I want you guys to know, no matter where they
take me, they won't hold me.  I'm going back
to Grans.

Ganna:That goes for me as well.

(InteriorAdoption CenterDay)

A white middle aged man is with his middle
aged wife looking through a oneway mirror at
the Juvenile Holding Facility.

Case Worker:That one there, are you sure that's the one? 
I can bring him in so you can speak to him.

Carol:What do you say, Jim, would it be O.K.?

Jim:If this is what you really want to do, I'm
behind you all the way.  O.K.  Bring him in.

They watch as a case worker separates him
from his brothers and brings him into a room.

bCase Worker:Kassi, this is Jim and Carol Carpenter.  They
are going to be your new parents.

Kassi:I don't need any new parents.  I've got my
big brother Abdul to look after me.

Jim:Son, you may not like the idea at first, but
you're gonna live with us and you're going to
really like it.  You'll have you own room and
a big yard by the mountains to play in.

Kassi:Will I get to see my brothers?

Carol:We're going to be your new family, Kassi. 
Look, we even brought you a present.  (She
produces a box with a baseball glove.)

Kassi:I don't want a present, I want to stay with
my brothers.

Case Worker:I'll be right back with his things.

Case Worker (to the brothers):  I want you fellows to know,
we've found a family for your little brother. 

You can all go in and say goodbye to him.  I`don't think you'll be seeing much of him
anymore.

The brothers go into the office and all hug
Kassi goodbye.

Benja:Kassi, may the loving eyes of the Father
always be upon you.

Ganna:We shall be together again one day.

Abdul:I will keep my promise, little brother. 
Don't worry, be happy 

Kassi: (Tear filled eyes)  I don't want to go Abdul. 
Please don't let them take me.  Please,
please.

Abdul:Be strong little brother, and remember my
promise.  Say your prayers and all will be
well.  It's only time and in time we shall
all be back with Grans.

They all gather around Kassi and hug and kiss
him goodbye.

					(ExteriorStreetDay)
fKassi walks down the street in a white
suburban neighborhood.  Several white punks
jump out in front of him, they are dressed in
white surfer wear.

Punk 1:Say what are you doing out of the ghetto?

Kassi:I live down there with the Carpenters.  (He
points.)

Punk 2:You live with the neighborhood cop.  He's
busted us for skateboarding so many times.

Kassi:You mean you get busted for riding that
board?

Punk 3:Yea, watch . . .

An ice cream truck is driving by.  Punk 3
runs alongside it, puts his skateboard down
and hitches a ride, when the truck makes a
right turn at the top of the hill, he rides
back down.

Kassi:Righteous dude.

Punk 3:(Smiles.)  You want to try?

Kassi:I'd love to.bPunk 3:Joey, lend him your board.  Let's show our
little brother the ropes.

They start cruising in the street.

Punk 3 (Louie):My name's Louie, what do they call you?

Kassi:Kassi.

Louie:Is that African, never heard a name like
that.

Kassi:It was my great grandfather's name.  He was a
chief in Africa.

Louie:Now keep your knees bent like mine, yea, a
little lower.  O.K., yea, that's better.  I
think you're a natural, you sure you've never
done this before?

Kassi:I used to ride with my brothers in grocery
carts down the irrigation canals when they
were dry.

Louie:Watch!`He reaches down with his hand, pulls up the
front end of his skateboard, and is riding it
on the back wheels.  Kassi tries the same
thing and falls head over heels into a bush. 
Louie stops.

Louie:Until you crashed and burned you were
righteous.  Look, kid, I'm sorry about the
comments from my friends earlier.  You need a
friend.  Look me up.

Kassi:Can we go riding again?

Louie:Yea, tomorrow I'll take you up to the
aqueduct where my friends and I have been
working.  You know, I'm in the running for
West Coast Champion in the Junior Division.

Kassi:Thanks, you remind me of my brother, Abdul. 
He was always looking out for me.

Louie:Where are your brothers?

Kassi:The judge took us all away from our
grandmother.  I don't know where any of them
are.
`Louie:Look, don't say nothin to Mr. Carpenter about
learning how to skateboard.  He doesn't like
skateboards.  (Louie extends his hand.) 
Anytime you need anything, just give me a
call.  Tomorrow we'll start teaching you how
to really ride.  You'll be the baddest dude
in Alta Dena.

					(InteriorCarpenters' KitchenNight)

Mom:Kassi, how on earth did you get so dirty? 
March yourself upstairs and put on some clean
clothes.

Kassi:Mrs. Carpenter.

Mom:Kassi, I've told you I want you to start
calling me Mom.  O.K., son?

Kassi:You're not my mom.  (He bursts into tears.)

					(ExteriorMarine BaseDay)

The sign reads:  Ft. Bragg.  All vehicles
stop.  Abdul is sitting next to a very
handsome commanding black colonel.
bGuard:Yes sir.  (He salutes.)

Colonel:Good day, Sergeant.  (He returns the salute.)

Abdul:A lot of security around this place.

Colonel:It's the military, son.  I know you've
learned to distrust authority, but around
here it's needed for survival.  You'll be
living with a lot of eyes watching you, makin
sure you do what's right.  So for your own
sake, don't be messin up.  That's base
housing there.  In a minute you'll meet my
wife.  She's been looking forward to this, so
try and be pleasant, please.

					(InteriorBase HousingDay)

A beautiful, middle aged black woman opens
the door.

Mrs. Marshall:Welcome Abdul, we'll be having dinner
shortly.  I'm making roast beef.  I hope you
life it, and for dessert, we'll be having
peach cobbler.
bColonel:Penny, you've outdone yourself again.  You're
the best.  Is the chaplain and his wife still
coming by?

Penny:Yes, they'll be joining us for dessert.

Abdul:It smells great, Mrs. Marshall.  Thanks for
going to the trouble.

Colonel:Now son, I know you were raised by good God
fearing Muslims, but in our house we go to
Baptist church.  It might take awhile for you
to get used to it, but that's the way it is
around here.

Abdul:I've been in Baptist churches, Colonel.  Most
of my relatives were Baptists.  Daddy was the
only Muslim in our neighborhood.  It's
nothing new.

Penny:I've been told you're a real fine singer.  I
know the chaplain will be asking you to join
the young people's choir.  You won't have any
objection to that, will you?
`Abdul:(Looks at the colonel.)  Since I'm a guest,
mam, I won't have any objection too much. 
Would you mind if I go to my room, and rest
before dinner?  I'm a little tired.

Colonel:It's right over here, son.

The colonel shows Abdul to his room.  They
put his duffle bag full of clothing down on
the floor and the door shuts.

					(InteriorBedroomDay)

Abdul throws his bag on the bed and
immediately checks to see if he can get out
of the window.  It is barred.  He checks his
bathroom as well and it is barred too.  He
jumps on his bed and lays with his face on
the pillow.

					(InteriorDining RoomNight)

Abdul is sitting with the family and the
chaplain and his wife, eating peach cobbler. 
Penny calls out from the kitchen.

Penny:Anyone care for any coffee with their peach
cobbler?

Colonel:Yes, I believe we all would like some.bChaplain:Abdul, the colonel tells me you're a real
fine singer.  You know, we've got a base
choir going with all the youngsters.  We'd
sure like you to come out tomorrow night. 
There are such nice young people.  Would you
join us?

Abdul:Yes, I'd love to.

Chaplain:Good, then it is settled, tomorrow at 7:00. 
I'll pick you up.

					(ExteriorArmy BaseDay)

Abdul is wandering around the perimeter fence
looking for a way to leave the base.  He
approaches a supply depot that is alongside
the ocean.  As he peers in, he hears a
rustling in the grass over the knoll.  He
turns to see a black soldier with a large
German shepherd.

Soldier:You there.  State your business.

Abdul:I'm just wandering around.

Soldier:Where is your identification?  How did you
get on base?`Abdul:I was brought in by Colonel Marshall.  I'm
his adopted son.

Soldier:(Checks him out with his traveling bag.)  By
the looks of it, it seems you don't really
like the idea.

Abdul:I was just trying to get down to the beach
for a picnic.

Soldier:Don't be jiving me.

Abdul starts to back away, the dog strains at
the leash.  Abdul's eyes dart around until he
sees the opening the fence.

Soldier:You can ask yourself, son, what kind of
chance you have against my dog.  Look, just
let me take you back to the colonel's.  He
can't be that bad.

Abdul stops down as if to tie his shoe.  He
conceals his movements and picks up a handful
of dust.  Just when the soldier walks over to
him, he throws it in his eyes.  The soldier
reacts to the stinging and Abdul makes for
the hole in the fence.  The soldier reacts
slowly and gropes to try and clear out his
eyes.  Abdul is halfway down the cliff when
he hears the dog bounding after him.  He

chucks his bag and jumps to the beach.  Hebcan see the soldier on the beach about five
hundred yards behind him.  He stops and
rinses his head in the water and then hears
the helicopter.  He dives into the water to
try and swim away.  Two Marines jump out and
grab him.  They are all lifted back into the
helicopter by a winch.

					(InteriorBrigDay)

	Abdul is sitting with a blanket wrapped
around him.  The room is stark white with no
windows.  The only furniture is the long
wooden bench he is sitting on.  The barred
door opens and the colonel walks in.

Colonel:Well, you had to embarrass me the first day
here.  I'm afraid you're going to have to be
taught a lesson about authority.  Son, you
could spend five years in jail in the real
world for what you did today  trespassing on
a military installation.

Abdul:I just want to go back to my grans.  Nobody
had any right to take us all away.  She was
doing just fine for us.

Colonel:That's not the way the court saw it, Abdul. 
We went through a lot of expense adopting

you.  We didn't do it so you could run away`and join the millions of other young people
living on the streets using drugs and selling
themselves for their next meal.

Abdul:That's not how it was gonna be.  I don't use
drugs.  I have a home.

Colonel:You're right, son.  You have a home and it's
here with us.  And I'm afraid you're just
going to have to learn to like it.  Is that
understood?  Now son, since it has worked
explaining things to your brain, I am afraid
that you've left me no other choice but to
explain things to your behind.  Lie down.

The colonel removes a wicked looking black
belt.  Abdul stretches out on the bench and
the colonel begins to whip him with the belt.

Colonel:Will you ever run away again?

				The colonel applies the belt.

Abdul:I wasn't running away.  I was going home. 
(Abdul shakes every time the leather comes
down upon his rear.)`Colonel:Son, this is your home, and from now on I'm
the one you're gonna answer to.  Is that
understood?

He continues to remain silent until he is
quivering and his back side is black and
blue.  Another soldier walks in and sees what
is happening.

Guard:Sir, is that necessary, sir?  All the boy did
was throw sand into my face.

Colonel:I'm teaching him a lesson.  At attention,
Sergeant.  See that his clothes are dried
before you return him home.

The soldier watches the colonel and
immediately begins to comfort the boy.

Guard:I'm sorry, son.  If I knew you were going to
be getting a beating like this, I would have
let you escape.  No one deserves that kind of
punishment.

Abdul breaks down crying.  The guard comforts
him.

					(InteriorChurchNight)bAbdul is singing in the youth choir.  They
are doing an uptempo version of Amen and
Abdul is singing the lead part.  The church
is packed and they finish the song with a
resounding applause.

Penny:You did really good, Abdul.  You've made us
both very proud of you.

Chaplain:(Walks over.)  That boy of yours can really
sing.  You'd have thought you were listening
to the hit parade.

Penny:I know, I think the Lord has marvelous plans
for him.  He's got natural talent.

Abdul:I have sang all my life at home with my
brothers.  Now I don't even know where they
are.

Chaplain:(Puts his arm around the boy.)  I am sorry
for you, son.  It must be very hard not
knowing where you brothers are.  Remember, it
is not the good times that make you a man,
but it is how you endure the hard times. 
Come, let us have some refreshments.

				They walk towards the refreshment table.d					(ExteriorFootball FieldDay)

A football team is hitting the blocking
machines, the coach is standing while they
are pushing him on the machine.  He is
screaming.

Coach:All right, everyone hit the showers.  6:00
A.M. tomorrow.  Britini, I need to talk to
you about the plays.

Coach walks over to the side and is
explaining a play to a fellow his same
height.  Benja walks over and pulls the
coach's sleeve.

Benja:Coach Patterson, are we going home yet?  I'm
getting hungry.

Coach:Yes, we'll be leaving shortly.  Go on out for
a catch.

Benja runs out in the field.  The coach
throws him the football.  It bounces off his
arms and falls to the ground.

					(ExteriorSuburban StreetEvening)

		A sleek Mercedes pulls into an automated
garage door.

	f				(InteriorFamily RoomEvening)

The coach and Benja walk into a lush family
with leather furniture and wide screen T.V. 
A young, attractive woman greets them.

Verda Patterson:Hi, Honey, how did Benja like the college
football practice?

Benja:It was nice.  I wish my brothers could have
seen it.

Coach:I think he's beginning to understand the
fundamentals of the game.  If we could just
work a little on his receiving.  How bout it,
champ, tomorrow we go to the park and you
practice your receiving.

Verda:For goodness sakes, Honey, the boy's only 8
years old.  You already want to turn him into
promaterial.

Coach:My dad started me at five.  Benja's got some
catchin up to do if he wants to play for the
Chargers.
`Coach good naturedly throws a dish towel at
Verda.  They hug and kiss.

Verda:Why don't you both wash up?  Dinner will be
ready in five.  Oh, Benja, before you wash
up, could you take that bag to the can in the
alley?

Benja:Yes, mam, I'd be happy to.

Verda:Don't let the dog out.

				Benja leaves the room.

Verda:I don't know how to tell the boy, Mitch.  I
tried to get the addresses of his other
brothers so Benja could stay in touch and
maybe we could have a few of the boys to
visit.  No luck.  The CPS won't release any
addresses under any circumstances.

Coach:Did you call our lawyer?

Verda:Yes, he said only someone inside the agency
with computer access.  Apparently they are

worried that people who have lost theirbchildren will kidnap them back.  I know Benja
will be disappointed.  He told me he wanted
to see his brothers on his birthday next
week.

Coach:You shouldn't have made him any promises.

Verda:I know, but how could I guess?  We'll talk
about it later.

Benja comes back in the room.  The large dog
follows him in.  It is an akita.

Verda:Alpine, out of the house.

The dog starts sniffing around the
refrigerator.

Benja:Can I give him a treat?

Mitch:Sure Benja, give him one of those big steak
bones from the restaurant last night. 
That'll keep him busy.

Benja reaches in the refrigerator and is
pulling out the steak bones from the white
doggie bag.  Alpine nearly knocks him over
and grabs the bone.bMitch:Alpine, bad dog.

Mitch picks Benja up off the floor.

Mitch:I'm afraid we have to talk some over, Benja. 
Mrs. Patterson tried to get ahold of your
brothers so we could bring them in for your
birthday.

Verda:The agency won't release any of their
addresses, Benja.  (She puts her arm around
him.)  Look, I know how much you were
counting on it, but since it doesn't look
like we'll be able to do it for this
birthday, how about if we all go to Sea World
Village and see Shamu?

Benja (with tear filled eyes):  Thanks for trying, but all I
really wanted was to see Abdul, Kassi and
Ganna.  It doesn't look like anybody will
ever let me see them again.

Mitch:I promise, Benja, we'll help you get back in
touch with your brothers.  Let's go wash up. 
Uncle Mitch has more than one trick up his
sleeve.dMitch does a quick coin trick and produces a
half dollar from behind Benja's ear which he
places into his hand.

					(ExteriorSea WorldDay)

Benja, Mitch and Verda are sitting in the
stands watching Shamu go through his tricks. 
Benja gets to go to the feeding platform and
throw Shamu a fish.  

	Benja, Mitch and Verda ride the tram.  Benja
has his hands filled with candy and soda. 
They are all laughing and having a really
good time.

While they are walking in the park, three
young people come up to Mitch and ask him for
his autograph.  He obliges.

Benja:I didn't know you were famous.

Mitch:Used to be.  Fame is very transitory.  Here
today, gone tomorrow.  It's what you make of
yourself in here that counts, Benja, not what
the crowds think of you.

Verda:He's just being modest, Benja.  Mitch was
AllPro for seven years and still holds
records for most yardage gained.  It'll be a
long time before someone beats any of his
records.`Mitch:She's still my biggest fan.  Come on, let's
get some seafood.  My appetite is acting up. 
(He grabs them both and they head into the
seafood restaurant.)

(InteriorLaw OfficeDay)

Mitch, dressed in a three piece suit, is
sitting in his lawyer's office reception area
thumbing through a magazine.

Receptionist:Mr. Jamison will see you now, Mitch.

Mitch:Thanks, Delores.

He walks back to a very plush office with
wood beamed ceiling and luxurious carpeting.

Mr. Jamison:(Rises from his chair.)  Mitch, good to see
you again.  How are things at Pacific State? 
I've heard you've fielded a pretty good team
this year.  Runnerup division champions last
year wasn't bad, either.

Mitch:We've got some good players returning and we
also got some good first year players.  I
think we'll have a winning season.bMr. Jamison:Look, if it is about what Verda called for
last week, I'm afraid there is not much more
I can say.

Mitch:Mr. Jamison, I know as the general counsel
for the Chargers, you are connected in some
pretty powerful circles.  I'm gonna come
right to the point.  I played my heart out
for the team and helped them make a lot of
money.  I know it's been several years, and
I'm not saying you owe me one.  But I really
need this favor and I'm willing to pay what
it takes.  The question is will you help me? 

Mr. Jamison:The Child Protection Service is extremely
secretive.  Those addresses are sealed under
court order.  There is nothing we can do
through the regular channels.  However,
George Karras, the counsel for the Raiders,
is a very close personal friend of mine. 
Perhaps he can help arrange something. 
Judges like good seats at football games.

Mitch:Here is all the information I have on the boy
and his grandmother.  Look, I'll be indebted
to you.dMr. jamison:This kid must be pretty special.

Mitch:They all are to me, but you're right.  This
one really is.

Mr. Jamison:It may take a while, but I'll see what I can
do.

Mitch:(Rises up out of his chair.)  I appreciate
it.  If you need any help, negotiations with
the new players, feel free to call me.

Mr. Jamison:Maybe I will.  Give my best to your wife,
Mitch.

				Mitch leaves the office.

Mr. Jamison:(Pushes his intercom button.)  Gloria, get me
Karras with the Raiders, will you?

				(ExteriorNeighborhood BankDay)

The boys' grandmother walks into a bank.

					(InteriorBankDay)`The grandmother is seated in front of a big
desk with an overweight man in a leather
chair.  He is looking over her loan
application.

Banker:Now, do you have any collateral?  I don't see
any listed here.

Grans:The only thing I have is my home, but I can't
put it up for collateral.

Banker:How about life insurance policies?

Grandmother:Yes, I have one of those.

Banker:Do you know what the cash value is of it?

Grandmother:yes, I do, but I hardly think you should ask
an old lady to put up her life savings.  Mr.
Morrison, I've been running restaurants
before you knew how to tie your shoes.  I
know this restaurant will go.  I've got to
start a business and make money if I ever
want to see my grandchildren again.  Social
Security won't do.

Banker:Mrs. Mutumi . . . (rubs his chin)  It's not

that we aren't concerned with your problems,fit's just that we are concerned with our
customers' money and we need collateral in
case a venture doesn't work out.  You
understand, don't you?

Grans:What about all the guaranteed loans from SBA
you always hear about?  Sir, I've had my
accounts here for some forty years.  I'm
gonna pay back my loan.  I just need a chance
to get started.

Banker:Look, I can't do it from the bank, Mrs.
Mutumi, but as a personal favor to you, I'll
make you a loan.  Don't worry about the
interest.  There won't be any.  When your
restaurant is going, get ahold of me and
we'll work out a payment schedule.  Now here,
this is my personal check for $10,000.  Use
it wisely.

Grans:(Tears in her eyes.)  I can't tell you what
this means to me.  You won't ever be sorry
you did this.  Mr. Morrison, anytime you feel
like having a charbroiled hot dog, you just
call.`Banker:I will, I want to see this neighborhood going
again, Mrs. Mutumi.  If everyone just leaves
and no new businesses come in, there'll be
nothing else for the kids to do except
getting into trouble and using drugs.  This
is already a rough neighborhood.  I want to
see it get better.

Grans:Thank you so much.

She walks away from the desk shaking her head
in amazement.

(ExteriorRestaurantDay)

Construction is going on at Grans'
restaurant, "Baseball Franks."  The workmen
are hanging the sign.  The place is buzzing
with activity.

Grans:I need you to paint "Grand Opening" on my
windows. 

Sign Painter:Yes mam, say you wouldn't have any hot dogs
ready yet, would you?  I could really use
some lunch.
`Grans:Soon as you finish, you come along inside and
I'll make you a nice charbroiled jumbo.

Sign Painter:I'll be done real quick.

Grans:You there, soon as you're done stripping the
front parking lot, I need you to put the
arrow on the ground for the drivein window.

Painter:No problem, mam.

(ExteriorRestaurantDay)

There is an abundance of noise as hundreds
turn out for the grand opening of "Baseball
Franks."

Banker:Congratulations are in order, Mrs. Mutumi.  I
feel like you're gonna have a resounding
success.

Grans:Thanks, I couldn't have done it without your
help.  I've already hired fifteen people.  We
served over a thousand hot dogs just today. 
It's not even four o'clock.  Oh, if my
grandchildren could see me today.  They'd be
so proud of their grandmother.dBanker:I'm sure they are proud of you, Mrs. Mutumi. 
Life has a way sometimes of working things
out.  Any news about your grandchildren?

Grans:No, I can't even find out where they are. 
I'm believing that they'll return.  I want to
see them grow up into good strong boys.

					(ExteriorCity StreetNight)

An ambulance is racing down the street
swerving and dodging traffic.

					(ExteriorSlum HouseEvening)

The driver pulls up and the two attendants
hop out.  They go up to the door and walk in. 
Ganna is semiconscious laying on the filthy
living room floor.  An older man poorly
dressed is standing over him.

Attendant:When did he go into shock?

Older Man:About a half hour ago.

Attendant:(Looks at the diabetes bracelet.)  Why did
you wait so long to call?

Older Man:I didn't think it was serious.fAttendant:Jim, administer the insulin.  It looks like a
severe case of shock.  

They pull up the boy's sleeve and give him a
shot of insulin.

Attendant:Who's the boy's physician?

Older Man:Dr. Harlow over at the clinic.

Attendant:Get him on the phone right now.  Have him
meet us at County General.

The old man rushes over to the phone and they
carry Ganna out on a stretcher.

					(ExteriorStreetsEvening)

The ambulance pulls into County General and
they carry the body.

					(InteriorCounty GeneralNight)

An elderly doctor looks into Ganna's pupils. 
They have him hooked up to about three
machines with I.V.s dripping into his arms.

Doctor:I need an increase in the oxygenated red
corpuscles.  Increase it to 100 C.C.s.fNurse:Is he gonna make it?

Doctor:He's a strong boy.  Let's just hope he pulls
through without any brain damage.

Nurse:His blood sugar level seems to have been
stabilized.  At least the metabolic signs are
showing equilibrium.

Doctor:Keep a close eye on him.  I'm gonna talk to
the parents.

(InteriorWaiting Room)

The doctor approaches the older man and his
wife.  They are both frumpily dressed and
seem nervous as opposed to worried.

Doctor:Have you been administering the boy's insulin
properly?

Wife:We've been making him take it every day. 
Right, Paul?

Paul:Sure, just like the label reads: administer
twice daily.`Doctor:What about food?  Has he been getting fed
regularly?  The proper diet.

Wife:Sure, he's been eatin real good.

Doctor:Well, I'm afraid something's not right then. 
This type of shock doesn't come about unless
there is an absence of proper medication or
proper diet.  It would be best for both of
you to return home.  We're gonna be keeping
the boy for at least a week until he's fully
recovered.

Wife:Sure, well you tell Ganna we'll come in and
visit him.

					(ExteriorHospital Parking LotEvening)

Wife:I told you he needed that medicine, Paul. 
Why wouldn't you give it to him?

Paul:He was sassin me, wouldn't take out the
garbage or even listen to me.

`Wife:We need the $400 per month the County is
sending us.  What good is he gonna be to us
if he's dead?

Paul:We ain't gonna lose him.  You heard the
doctor say, it's only gonna be a week.  And
then he be like before.

Wife:You can't be messin around with dat boy.  If
the County takes away our foster children,
how you gonna stay on the bottle?  You'd have
to go out and work.  From now on if there is
any punishing to be done, I the one that be
doin it.

					(InteriorMarine Base OfficeDay)

An orderly walks into the office of the
colonel, and hands him some papers.

Colonel:At ease Sergeant.  What are these?

Sergeant:They are direct orders from the Pentagon,
sir.  I was sent by Military Dispatch.

	Colonel:That will be all, Sergeant.b			The sergeant salutes and leaves the room.

Colonel:(Picks up the phone after reading the
orders.)  Penny, pack your bags and Abdul's
as well.  We have been ordered to our base in
the Philippines.  I suppose it's being
threatened by some terrorist group.  Anyway,
they want me to oversee security at the base
pronto (pause . . .).  We leave at 900 hours
tomorrow.  Oh, there is one good thing we get
to spend the night in Hawaii.  Just pack the
essentials.  The Transport Department will
ship everything else.

					(InteriorHomeNight)

Abdul is in his room lying on his bed.  Penny
walks in and sits on the bed next to him.

Penny:Abdul, Dad just called.  You need to pack
your personal belongings up.  We are going on
a trip.

Abdul:Really, where?

Penny:He's been assigned to the Philippines.bAbdul:You mean like near Philadelphia?  That sounds
awful far away.

Penny:Not Philly, Abdul.  The Philippines is a
nation of islands in the South Pacific. 
Here, I'll show you on the globe.  (She
points it out.)

Abdul:You gotta be kidding me.  Why are you
dragging me halfway around the world?  I'll
never see my brothers again.

Penny:It's not that bad.  Don't make it sound so
terrible.  It'll be at the most for two or
three years.  Then I'm sure he'll get an
assignment back here.

Abdul:Look, really Mrs. Marshall, this mothering
thing is going too far.  Can't you and Pops
just like leave me here?  I'll keep going to
church and singing in the choir.  I'll even
stay with the chaplain.  Please?

Penny:The colonel would never go for that.  Look, I

know you are disappointed, but just try and`make the best of it.  It's a tremendous
opportunity if you'll just let it be.

					(InteriorAirplaneDay)

Abdul looks out the window at the big,
beautiful Pacific Ocean.  The stewardess
passes him a tray with lunch.

Stewardess:Would you like something to drink, young man?

Abdul:Yes, I'll have some milk.  How long until
we're in Hawaii?

Stewardess:We'll be in Hawaii in two hours.

Abdul:Thanks.  (Abdul looks in his pockets and
checks the amount of money he has.)

					(ExteriorAirportDay)

				The plane pulls up to the landing gate.

					(InteriorAirport LoungeDay)

A military man meets them and grabs the
colonel's bags.  While he is busy with the
greeting, Abdul sneaks away and runs down the
stairs to the landing field.fColonel:Penny, where is Abdul?  They have a car
waiting for us.

Penny:He was here just a minute ago.  You don't
suppose . . .

Colonel:Lieutenant, call airport security and tell
them to be on the lookout for a young black
runaway wearing Levi's and a white
sweatshirt.

The colonel looks around for any clues and
spots the exit door still ajar.

Colonel:He must have slipped out here.  Penny, alert
the airport police to check the runway for a
runaway.  When I find him he's gonna get a
lesson like he's never had.  The youngster is
gonna have to learn to respect authority.

The colonel jams out the exit door down to
the runway.

					(ExteriorAirport RunwayDay)

A conveyor belt is removing luggage.  The

colonel spots Abdul down the runway headingbfor an open field.  He hops over the conveyor
belt and his pants catch in the rollers as he
is climbing over.  He tugs and tugs but he
just gets more and more tangled up.  Finally
he pulls on his leg so hard that his pants
split down the middle and all he has on is
one side of his dress pants with his boxer
shorts showing.

Abdul darts across the runway barely avoiding
a department jet.  The colonel chases after
him and is forced to stop for a landing
plane.  Abdul takes off across an open field.

Abdul scales a fence and ducks low behind a
palm tree as the airport police do a driveby.

Abdul sees a baggage wagon going by and hops
into a bin on top of some luggage.  He pulls
the curtain shut.  The wagon pulls into a
freight warehouse  Aloha Freight and
Shipping International.

					(InteriorFreight WarehouseDay)

Abdul waits in the baggage container and
falls asleep.  When Abdul wakes up, the place
is nearly deserted.  He cautiously sneaks out
and is heading for the front door.

Hiroshi (Middleaged Japanese Manager):  Wait, young man,
stop.

Abdul stops dead in his tracks with the man
standing between him and the door.

Abdul:I was just leaving, sir.  I haven't taken
anything.

Hiroshi:I am not concerned with you taking anything. fI am concerned why such a young man is so far
away from home and hiding in my baggage
container.  Are you from the mainland?

Abdul:Yes, I am.  My foster parents were taking me
away from my brother and my grandmother and
taking me to the Philippines.

Hiroshi:I see, sounds like a very serious problem. 
Come, I'll make you something to eat.

				The fellow serves him some sushi and rice.

Abdul:What's this?

Hiroshi:Sushi, oriental soul food.  Here, try it with
some of this sauce.  You'll like it.

Abdul is starving.  He tries it and reacts,
then digs into it with vigor.

Hiroshi:So who are these foster parents and why were
they going to take you so far away from your
family?

bAbdul:My father died and the judge said my
grandmother wasn't capable of raising us, so
we were each sent to a different family.  My
foster father is a Marine Colonel, Marshall. 
He beats me.

Abdul lifts his sweatshirt and Hiroshi can
see the welts that are on his back.

Hiroshi:Well, I don't see that it would be very good
for you to be going back to him, but the
bigger question is how to get you back to
your grandmother.

Abdul:It's only Los Angeles.

Hiroshi:Yes, but if he's a big shot in the Marines,
it's likely that they will be looking for
you.  Never mind, you'll be safe for now.  I
have an extra bed in my trailer next door. 
You'll be safe there until we can figure out
what to do with you.  What is your name?

Abdul:Abdul.

bHiroshi:Nice to meet you.  (He extends his hand.)  I
am Hiroshi.  Come, I'll show you where you
will be staying.

They get into the trailer and Hiroshi pushes
a button on the wall.  A bed drops down from
the ceiling.  It hangs suspended by chains.

Abdul:That's great.  Did you put that in?

Hiroshi:Yes, I am somewhat of an inventor.

Abdul:I've never seen anything like it.

Hiroshi:I would prefer inventing things for a living,
but my father desired that I take over his
air cargo business, so I limit my inventions
to my spare time.  Would you care for a soda?

Abdul:Yes, I'd love one.

Hiroshi pushes a remote control device he has
in his hand.  A can of soda pops out of a
hidden refrigerator and is conveyored down to
the living room.

Abdul:Thanks, this is great.  It's like Mr. Wizard.
bHiroshi:I haven't quite perfected the automation. 
I'm trying to perfect my laser scanner so I
can choose the soda I want by a number code. 
Now it just takes the next one in line.  I
never know whether I'm getting Pepsi or diet
soda.

Abdul:Do you really think you'll be able to get me
back to my grandmother's?

Hiroshi:necessity is the mother of invention, my boy. 
I am sure that we'll be able to work
something out.  For now, let's just
concentrate on keeping the police from
finding you.

					(InteriorPolice Office)

The colonel is standing at the sergeant's
desk.

Sergeant:Look, we just can't do an entire manhunt for
one runaway.  You should take this picture,
have it duplicated, and offer a reward. 
Maybe someone will know his whereabouts and
report him to collect the reward money.bColonel:I already have.  I have a stack of them right
here.  i'd like you to give copies to all the
police that are on airport and harbor duty. 
I know the boy is planning on returning to
his grandmother in Los Angeles.

Sergeant:Well, you have one thing in your favor.  The
boy just can't hitch a ride home.  He's got
to get off the island first.  Look Colonel,
you are a military man.  You know there are
proper procedures every agency has to follow. 
We have our procedures.  We have rapes,
murders, drug dealing, prostitution,
extortion, breaking and entering, far more
serious crimes than a 12 year old trying to
get back to his grandmother.  (The sergeant
looks at the flyer.)  But as a professional
courtesy, I will distribute your son's
picture.  Now if that will be all, I have to
get back and finish up this paperwork.

Colonel:Thank you.

(ExteriorHonolulu Police StationDay)
`Colonel walks out and meets Penny standing
outside.

Penny:What did he say?  Have they been able to turn
up anything?

Colonel:I'm sure he'll show his picture around, and
if Abdul tries to fly out of here, they'll
recognize him.  Our best chance is to send
someone by his grandmother's and keep an eye
in L.A.  I have some friends with the Marine
recruiting station in Inglewood and I'm gonna
give them a call and have them notify the
local authorities and keep an eye for us.

Penny:Do you think it's best for the boy?  Do you
suppose he might be better off with his
grandmother?  (She kisses him on the cheek.)

Colonel:(He pulls away.)  That is not the point.  He
is still our legal responsibility.  We
adopted him, and until the court says
otherwise, I am determined to get him back. 
Now it will be difficult to do from the
Philippines, but the Marines has provisions

for hardship leaves.  If it seems like I needbto take one, I will.  Let's get some dinner. 
I might just go back to Los Angeles.

					(ExteriorSkateboard ParkDay)

Kassi is watching Louie work the ramp.  Louie
rises to the top and does a twist in the air
while holding his board.  He repeats it time
after time.

Louie:Do you think you're ready to learn the half
twist?  Remember, keep your hands on the
board so you can turn it when you're up in
mid air.

Kassi:Yea, dude, I'm ready to push some air.

Kassi hits the ramp.  At first he barely
makes it to the top, then when he does on his
first try, he falls and slides down the
slippery ramp on his knee pads.  He gets up
and tries again.  Finally he makes it high
enough to complete a twist and come back
down.

Louie:That's great, Kassi.  Now watch this.  I'm
gonna show you how to do a onearmed hand
stand.  This is what won me my first place in
Newport Beach.
bLouie picks up some speed and makes it to the
top of the ramp.  He goes into a one handed
hand stand and is holding the board perched
on top of him.  He smoothly goes down and
does it on the other side of the ramp.

Louie:If you can handle that, you'll be one of the
few PeeWees that can.  You want to try?  I
think you can do it.

Kassi:That's pretty bad stuff.

Louie:Come on, show me what you've got.  Instead of
twisting around just grab down and hold
yourself up.  I'll stay up there to keep you
from hurting yourself.

Louie goes up to the top of the platform and
waits for Kassi to build up enough momentum. 
Kassi sails up in the air and reaches down
for the top ramp to support himself.  He
almost falls and Louie catches him.  The
board goes sliding to the bottom of the ramp.

Louie:Go on, get it, try again.  You're not gonna
get hurt with me here to catch you.

They try time, after time, after time. 
Finally, Kassi balances by himself.  He comes
down from the handstand and rides his board
smoothly down the ramp and jumps off on the
other side.  Louie rides over and hugs him. bLouie:That was outrageous, totally gnarly.  I've
never seen a dude pick it up so fast.  You
are definitely championship material.  Come
around after school tomorrow.  I'll ask the
rest of the guys on the team if you can head
up our Pee Wee Division.  How would you like
that?

Kassi:(Puts his hand in a hifive sign.)  All
right.

					(InteriorKitchenEvening)

Kassi is eating with his adopted family. 
They are striking idle conversation.

Jim:Carol tells me you've been getting quite good
on the skateboard.  Is that right?

Kassi:Louie from down the street has been giving me
lessons.  He says tomorrow he's gonna check
with everybody to see if I can be the PeeWee
on their team.

Jim:Great, we adopt a child so he can run off

with the local skateboard bums.  Carol, wherebhave you been?  Don't you give this child any
guidance?

Carol:Those bums . . . don't cause any harm.  I
think skateboarding is a good clean sport. 
Besides, Kassi has found some friends.  I
think it's important for the boy to have
friends and if he's good at skateboarding, I
say great.

Kassi:(His face beams.)  They are real nice, Mr.
Carpenter.  They like you too.  One of them
even called you a legend in your own mind. 

Carol:(Bursts out laughing.)  Jim, they are only
kids . . . remember some of the things we
used to do.  Don't you remember when we put
the live mouse in Mrs. Lord's locker?  (Jim
laughs.)

Jim:Yea, the old bat, I thought she'd lose her
wig right then.  O.K., Carol, you've made
your point, but what does this mean joining a
team?  I thought skateboarding was just one
person.`Kassi:Louie said that different teams compete for
trophies.  And if I win in the PeeWee
Division, I can help them win the West Coast
Championship.

Jim:What's the name of the team?

Kassi:Wicked Warriors.

Jim:Wicked Warriors?  That sounds like some kind
of gang.

Carol:Jim, don't be putting bad thoughts into the
boy's head.  They're only a bunch of
teenagers.  I'm sure they don't mean
anything.

Jim:(Holds his hands up.)  O.K., O.K., look
Kassi.  Your mom thinks it's a good idea so
I'll go along with it.  But absolutely, I
forbid you from hitching rides on trucks.  Do
you promise?

Kassi:Yea, I would never want to do that anyway. 
	I'm not crazy.`				(ExteriorHospitalDay)

				Paul and his wife are walking out with Ganna.

Wife:Well, Ganna, we almost lost you there for
awhile.  Why don't you let us buy you a
present.  Would you like that?

Ganna:I'd love it.  What?

Paul:I think you'd love what we're picking out for
you.  Look Ganna, I'm sorry I've been so hard
on you.  I know you're having a rough time
missing your brothers and everything.  Maybe
you don't know it, but we went ahead and
called your grandmother.  She wants to see
you bad.

Ganna:You talked to Grans?  What did she have to
say?

Wife:She said for us to bring you by for lunch. 
She has her own restaurant.

Ganna:Can we go today?`Paul:No so soon.  First we're gonna pick up your
present.

					(InteriorAutomobileDay)

The old Chrysler pulls into the parking lot
of Toys 'R Us.  They walk into the building.

					(InteriorStoreDay)

				Paul leads Ganna to the bicycle section.

Paul:Alright Ganna, you can pick out any one of
these.  

Ganna looks at all the bikes and finally
selects the bright red one.

Ganna:This is the one.  Are you sure I can have it?

Wife:Nothing's too good for you.  Let's go.  We
want to go have lunch at your grandmother's
restaurant.

					(ExteriorBaseball FranksDay)
	`		They pull into the restaurant parking lot.  A
beautiful young girl on roller skates rolls
up to their car window.

Paul:Is Mrs. Mutumi in today?

Waitress:She is, but she's busy right now.

Angela:You bring us three jumbo dogs, and your home
run platter plus some chocolate malted.  Tell
her that a young fellow wants to see his
grandmother.

The waitress leaves for the restaurant.  No
sooner is she inside than the doors come
bustin' open and Grans barges out running as
far as her short, squatty legs can take her.

Grans:Ganna, my child.  (She reaches through the
window and Ganna gets out and hugs her.) 
How's my little boy?  Grans missed you so.

Ganna:I just got out of the hospital.  The doctors
and nurses were so nice.

Grans:You were sick.  (She looks at Paul and
Angela.)  You didn't say nothin about him
being sick.bPaul:It was nothing, just low blood sugar.

Grans:Low blood sugar isn't just nothin'.  My James
dies from that.  What you people been doing
to my baby anyway?  You'se bein paid to make
sure he gets taken care of.  Oh lordy, lordy,
lordy.  Don't the two of you have any God
given sense?  You expect an eight year old
child to be able to prescribe hisself.

The waitress comes out carrying their orders.

Ganna:I'm alright, Grans.  Look (he points out the
bike).  They bought me a bike, isn't it
something?

Grans:Yea, it's really somethin.  Why don't you
test it out a little while I get me some more
information about your time in the hospital. 
(The boy goes riding around the restaurant,
he's having a real good time.)  Let's get the
bare facts, folks.  The judge done take this
boy and his brothers from me.  They said I
couldn't look after all the boys.  I sure

never let the boy's blood sugar go down so`he's sick with fever.  Are you a drinking
man, Mr. Avery?

Paul:I tip some.

Angela:He's a good man and he's good to Ganna. 
Look, we brought him here to see you, didn't
we?  We didn't have to do that, did we?

Grans:I thank you for bringing him by, but if any
harm comes to my boy, while the breath of
life is in me, there ain't gonna be no rock
big enough for you'se to crawl under, you
understand.

				Paul nearly chokes on the jumbo dog.

Paul:I understand.  These hot dogs are delicious. 
What's your secret?

Grans:No secret, just good cookin.  Now you watch
out for my young un for me.  I want him back
healthy.

Grans:Ganna, come over here boy.  Give your
grandmother a kiss.dGanna:Can't I stay with you Grans, please?

Grans:Someday son, someday.  It's just that right
now you've got to be goin.  (Waitress skates
up with the bill.)  Forget the bill.  This
one's on the house.

The car pulls out with Ganna waving out the
rear window.

Grans:Did you get the license number, girl?

Waitress:Sure enough did.

Grans:Those low lifes sure won't be raisin my Ganna
much longer.  Maybe we can find out where
they live from the MVD.

					(InteriorKitchenDay)

The phone rings and Verda answers it.  She
sets it down.

Verda:Mitch Honey, it's for you.  It's the lawyer.

				Mitch races in.`Mitch:Great.  Maybe he's got some good news about
Benja's brothers.  (Picks up the receiver). 
You found one of them, great.  Which one . .
Ganna.

The side kitchen door opens up and Benja
walks in.  He overhears the name Ganna.

Benja:They found my brothers.  (He tugs at Mitch's
shirt sleeve.)

Mitch:O.K., yea, I got a pen . . . . 242 South
Broadmore.  Got it.  Yea, I really owe you
one.

Mitch hangs up the phone and Verda gives him
a big hug.

Verda:What happened, what about the others?

Mitch:Ganna was remanded out for foster care and
one of the judges turned over his address in
exchange for season tickets to the Raiders. 
The others, Abdul and Kassi, are a little
tougher because they went through private
adoption agencies and the files are already
sealed.  Anyway, one down, two to go.dBenja:When can we got visit my brother?

Mitch:He's still up in L.A.  I'll have my assistant
coach run the practice Saturday and we'll all
drive up.  Benja, we'll go see your
grandmother too.

Benja:Really?

Verda:(Hugs Benja.)  Yea, really.

					(InteriorFreight WarehouseDay)

			Abdul and Hiroshi are examining a large
crate.

Hiroshi:Let me show you how I have fixed it for you.

Abdul:You want me to ride in here all the way back
to the states?  Won't they check it?

Hiroshi:Watch!

The crate is opened and inside the middle of
the crate is a small section where there is a
small refrigerator, stereo with headphones,
an oxygen mask, and a portable toilet.  The
section is heavily insulated.bHiroshi:Hop in, see if it is comfortable.

Abdul hops in.  The crate is closed.  All you
hear is a muffled sound.  Hiroshi opens the
crate.

Hiroshi:Was it alright?

Abdul:Yea, like the cockpit of a spaceship.  But
what about getting it into the states?  Won't
they check it?

Hiroshi:No, you're perfectly safe.  All that remains
is to stock it with some food and fill the
oxygen tank.  When you land in L.A., the
truck should take you right out to your
grandmother's.  Do you want to go?

Abdul:Look, I've really loved staying with you. 
I've learned more than I ever thought was
possible, but yea, I do want to go.  I miss
my grandmother and I made a vow to find all
my brothers.  I've got to keep my promise. 
They're counting on it.

`Hiroshi:That is true, young Abdul.  A man without his
word is like a bird without its feathers. 
You can't fly.

Abdul:Before we go, could we go into town just one
more time?  I'd like to play one more round
of miniature golf and go on those carts
again.

Hiroshi:Ah, you like to drive.  This time I win.  I
not play easy.

					(ExteriorGame PalaceEvening)

Hiroshi and Abdul walk up and order their
putters and balls and start playing the
course.  Hiroshi sees a military man walking
around with a photo in his hands.  He walks
up to the window and the girl points towards
the putting course.

Hiroshi:The enemy at 12:00 o'clock, Abdul.  It is
time for us to make our exit.

The military man spots them and comes running
towards them.  They jump the fence and run on
the gocart track dodging the cars that are
driving around the track.  The military man
also hops the fence and is in hot pursuit. 
Hiroshi and Abdul jump in two empty cars. 

Hiroshi gives the thumbs up sign and theybtake off.  About a hundred yards down there
is a grassy area where there is no fence. 
They pull off the track and disappear into
the hills.  After about three or four
minutes, they abandon the carts and walk
through the pineapple grove to the highway.

					(InteriorMilitary VehicleDay)

The military police is looking up and down
the highway for them.  The military police
spots them as they race across the open
highway on foot.

Police:Jupiter Two, we've spotted the boy and his
accomplice.  They are headed your way.

Police (sitting in the woods in a green van):  We'll be ready
for them, over . . . Let's go, they're on
foot and heading for us.

The three police get out of the van.  They
race silently over to intercept them.  As
they are walking, one of them steps on a
fallen branch and the sound reverberates. 

					(ExteriorWoodsEvening)

Hiroshi pauses for a moment as if he has
heard something.  They then go quietly.  As
they clear a grove of pineapple trees, they
step into an open area.
bPolice:Stop, you're under arrest for aiding a minor
child of a Marine officer to escape.

The officer walks forward to intercept him
and is proceeding cautiously.

Abdul:Don't let them take me back.  I'm not going.

			Abdul starts to run.  The police levels his
gun.

Police:Stop or I'll shoot.

Hiroshi:(With a might kick.)  Like hell you will. 
(He levels the police officer.) 

The two other officers try and grab Hiroshi. 
He jumps up in the air and gives two
simultaneous jump kicks to their face.  They
are both out.

Abdul:Holy shit!  Where did you learn that?

Hiroshi:Old Bruce Lee video, Enter the Dragon.

Abdul:Yea, I bet.  Are they dead?

bHiroshi:No, but they'll sure be sore in the morning. 
Let's go.  I'm sure they've had radio contact
with the other units.

They run off into the hills.

					(InteriorFreight WarehouseDay)

Hiroshi and Abdul are standing in front of a
huge crate.

Hiroshi:(Pulls some money out of his pocket.  Several
hundred dollars.)  Here, take this.  You may
need it when you get back to L.A.

Abdul:(Looks in amazement.)  I've never seen this
much money.  You're just giving it to me.

Hiroshi:It's a gift, my young friend.  Now you must
board your space shuttle.  Life off is 0 900
hours.

Hiroshi pushes a remote he is holding and the
crate automatically opens.  Abdul hugs him.

Abdul:How can I ever say thanks for this favor . .`Hiroshi:When you have checked and you are sure that
you are safely back at your grandmother's,
push this button and the crate will open. 
You will have no problems, my friend.

Abdul:Will I ever see you again, Hiroshi?

Hiroshi:Sure, I'll come over and take you and your
brothers to Disneyland.  Does that sound
alright?

Abdul:You bet.  (Abdul gets in and sits back.) 
Alright, this is gonna be some trip.

Hiroshi:Thirty minutes to takeoff.  Remember, don't
push the button until you know where you are. 
Just check your monitor.

Abdul:Can you really get in trouble for doing what
his conscience dictates.  It is only when we
got against our conscience that we are in
trouble.

The crate is taken out of the building on a
truck.  

	b				(InteriorCourt RoomDay)

Grans is standing in front of the same judge
who took away her grandchildren.

Bailiff:Next case.  mrs. Mutumi requesting a custody
hearing.  Would you please take the stand.

Mrs. Mutumi:(Takes the stand.)  Your Honor, last time I
was here you made my children wards of the
state because you stated that I didn't have
sufficient financial resources to take care
of them.  (She reaches in her big black
pocketbook and pulls out several receipts.) 
They are my bank deposits over the last four
months, totaling over $10,000.  I would like
my grandchildren back.

Judge:(Examines the files.)  That is commendable,
Mrs. Mutumi, but the State has already
allowed all but one of your grandchildren to
be formally adopted.  Even if we wanted to
give you your children back, we couldn't. 
The adoptions are finalized in all cases
except Ganna Mutumi.  He is the only one
still under foster care.bMrs. Mutumi:Your Honor, you stated that I could get them
back if I had the financial stability.

Judge:Mrs. Mutumi, you must realize that our hands
are tied.  Your children have been legally
adopted and unless it can be found that one
of them is being abused or neglected in some
fashion, we simply have no power to reopen
the cases.  However, I have noted the
information you have supplied concerning the
foster care that Ganna Mutumi has been
receiving and we are sending out a County
child care worker to verify your charges of
abuse.

Mrs. Mutumi:How long will that take?  They've already had
my baby in the hospital for a week.  I want
him back.

Judge:That is all, Mrs. Mutumi.  You shall be
notified.  Bailiff . . . (He motions for the
woman to be taken away.)

The bailiff opens the testimony stand door
and helps her down.  She is dabbing her eyes
with a kleenex.
	b				(ExteriorHot Dog StandDay)

				A hot looking Mercedes pulls in.

Mitch:What do you say we all get a couple of hot
dogs.  (He winks at his wife.)  How about
you, Benja, are you hungry?

Benja:I'm starveder than ever.

The girl on roller skates comes up to the
car.

Verda:Look, Mitch, how cute.  They're wearing
roller skates.

Mitch:We'll have two chilicheese dogs, a baseball
frank and three milk shakes.  (Takes out an
envelope.)  Here, give this to your owner.

He slips her the envelope.  She skates away. 
He messes around with the radio dial and the
door comes flying open with Mrs. Mutumi
running towards the car.

Mrs. Mutumi:Lord, I never thought I'd see the day again. 
Benja.`Benja:(Bolts out of the car.)  Grans, we were just
on the way over to visit you.

Grandmother:(Beaming proudly.)  Don't you know, this is
my place.  I am the owner of Baseball Franks. 
What do you think?

Benja:It's great.  I can hardly wait to try some of
your cookin.  Mr. Patterson never even told
me.  (Verda and Mitch are outside the car.)

Mitch:I thought I would surprise the boy.  Pleased
to meet you, Mrs. Mutumi.  I've heard a lot
about you from Benja and I want you to know
I've been doing everything possible to help
you get your family back.  In fact, my lawyer
found out for me where you son Ganna is. 
We've run into a brick wall on Kassi and
Abdul, but I know we'll break something
through.

As they are talking, a blue Navy car pulls
up.  Two official men hop out and walk over
to the car.

Officer 1:Are you Mrs. Mutumi?
bMrs. Mutumi:Yes, I am.  How can I help you?

Officer 2:(Pulls out a photograph of Abdul.)  Is this
your grandson?

Mrs. Mutumi:Yes, it is.  But where did you get his
picture?

Officer 1:He was adopted by Colonel Marshall of the
United State Marine Corps.  It seems while
the colonel was being transferred to a base
in the Philippines he jumped ship so to
speak.  The boy ran away and the colonel
believes that he is heading back here.

Mrs. Mutumi:Well, if he ran away, I hope he does come
back.  

				Mitch Patterson Walks up to the Navy men.

Mitch:We appreciate you boys doing your job, but
that boy should never have been taken from
her to begin with, and if he does come back,
we're sure not going to notify some hotshot
colonel stationed in the Philippines and ship
the boy back.  He's going to stay right here.dOfficer 1:Just who are you?

Mitch:Mitch Patterson, one of the other boys'
adopted fathers, and I tell you this whole
issue stinks, big time.  Taking grown
children away from their maternal
grandmother, it's like Nazi Germany.  The
court deciding who's got enough money to
raise a child.

Officer 2:If the boy is here or you're hiding him,
we'll be back for him.  We don't want to make
this hard for you, but we've got our orders
too.

Mitch:Well, without a proper warrant, you're not
going to be allowed to even look around, so I
suggest you get your legal things
straightened out before you even begin to
look around here.

Mrs. Mutumi:Now unless the two of you are interested in
some hot dogs, you just move along.

The men get in their car and drive away. 
Mrs. Mutumi, Verda, Benja and Mitch start
laughing.
fVerda:Do you think they'll be back?

Mitch:They'll be back, but now we know he's on his
way back here.

Mrs. Mutumi:Thanks for your help, you really stood up to
those fellows.

Benja:I'm hungry, Grans.  Let's eat.

Mrs. Mutumi:All right, time to get down to some
charbroiling.  Let's see what the cook can
whip us up.

They walk into the restaurant.  Benja is
holding his grandmother's hand and Mitch is
holding her arm.

					(InteriorRestaurantDay)

			They are sitting in a booth eating.  Benja is
fidgeting about.

Mitch:So tell me more about Ganna.  How long was he
in the hospital?

bMrs. Mutumi:He has juvenile diabetes.  He was in a semicoma about three days and then they kept him
for a week.

Mitch:Did you find out what happened?

Mrs. Mutumi:The foster people didn't give him his
insulin, and he probably hasn't been eating
right.  I went to the judge, but he hasn't
decided whether or not to give him back to
me.  He said he's sending out a child care
worker.

Mitch:We'll get him back.  My lawyer will take care
of that.  Meantime, you just sit tight.

Verda:When my husband wants something, it gets
done.  Don't worry.

					(ExteriorSkateboard ExhibitionDay)

Kassi is riding up and down the huge
skateboard platform.  There is a crowd of
about five hundred people watching.  He is
doing quite well and manages to go up and
down about fifteen times.  An emcee is
speaking over the microphone.

bEmcee:That was Kassi Carpenter, the youngest member
of the Wicked Warriors . . . next up is Louie
Madrid, last year's State Champion.

Louie is outrageous.  He handstands on top of
the platform, does a one and a half full body
twist and goes up in the air outrageously
high.  The crowd goes crazy.  He finishes his
routine, lands on the platform and gives
Kassi the high five hand slap.

Louie:(With crowd still cheering.)  What did I tell
you, we're gonna clean up.

Kassi:You were outrageous.  Stunning.

Louie:You were too.  Hey, let's get some food.

Kassi:Don't you want to see the others?

Louie:No, I'm starved.

				   (InteriorMarine Recruiting CenterDay)

The colonel is pacing back and forth in a
small office.

Colonel:He had to have returned here.  Where else
would he go?dRecruiter:Look Colonel, we have watched the restaurant
almost around the clock.  No one who fits
Abdul's description has gone in or out.

Colonel:Have you checked their house?

Recruiter:There must be a hundred teenage boys that fit
his description in that immediate
neighborhood.  It's impossible to check them
all.  Look, why don't you just let this whole
thing go?  The kid will be fine.

Colonel:Nobody runs away from my family, Sergeant. 
No one!  It looks like I'll have to mount
surveillance myself.

					(InteriorGrans' HouseEvening)

Abdul is back sitting at the dining table. 
The back door is open and you can see the
crate.

Grans:I can't believe you made it across alive in
that crate.  That man sure took awful good
care of you.
`Abdul:I can't believe that you've already found
Ganna and Benja, but no word on Kassi.

Grans:Not yet, but Mitch Patterson says his lawyer
is gonna find out for us.

Abdul:The Mitch Patterson, the one from the
Chargers?  Why is he interested in helping
us?

Grans:He's the one who adopted Benja.

As they are speaking, a blue car pulls up
outside.  The door chime sounds.

Grans:You'd best be upstairs.

Grans goes to the door and sees it is the
colonel.

Colonel:Good evening, mam.  May I come in?

Grans:What be your business?

Colonel:I have come to find Abdul.  He ran away and I
am to take him back to my wife.bGrans:Then what you be coming here for, what makes
you think he'd come back here.

The colonel pushes his way in.  He walks over
to the table and notices dishes from two
dinners.

Colonel:I think I've come to the right place.  Who's
are these?  

Grans:A friend I had over for dinner.  Look Mister,
I really don't want you snoopin around my
house.  There are laws.

Colonel:(Notices the crate in the backyard.)  How
interesting.  (He examines it and notices it
is from Hawaii.)  Isn't this a coincidence,
all the way from Hawaii.  That is where I
last saw Abdul right before he ran away. 
Look, Mrs. Mutumi, just turn the boy over to
me.  He's got to learn respect for authority
and the law.

Grans:And you're the law.  Well, Mister, if you are
not off of my property in the count of ten,
then I'll be calling the police and they will
deal with you.  Now get.dColonel:(Shocked by her aggression.)  Alright, I'm
leaving for now.  But you can't hide him
forever and I'll be back.

					(InteriorGrans' KitchenMorning)

Grans dresses Abdul up like a girl.  He is
wearing a wig and has on a mini skirt from
Baseball Franks as well as a Baseball Frank
cap and name button.  The button says Gladys. 

Abdul:Couldn't you have picked a better name for me
than Gladys?  It's downright embarrassing.

Grans:Look, the man would recognize you as anything
else.  Besides, it's only until I get custody
of you all back.  Look, besides, you'll be
makin good tips, you can do our lunch
deliveries.  (She finishes padding his bra.)

Abdul:Man, if my brothers ever see me, I'll be
Gladys for the rest of my life.

					(ExteriorRestaurantDay)

Abdul is waiting on cars.  He notices the
colonel sitting across the street watching. 
He takes out an order and skates right past
his car.  The colonel is oblivious to the
fact that Gladys is really Abdul.fAbdul skates up to the car wash with
everyone's order.  One of the fellows pinches
his behind.  He moves away.  They pay him on
the way back, he stops and picks up a street
skating magazine.  The cover has a picture of
the Wicked Warriors.  He doesn't even notice
his brother at first, until he turns and sees
his picture under the caption "New West Coast
Champions."  The caption reads, "Kass
Carpenter of Alta Dena."  He pays the vendor
for the magazine and skates back to the
restaurant.  The colonel is still there. 
Only this time another girl is serving him
some food.  He is trying to act like he
doesn't want it.

Colonel:Look, I didn't order a hot dog.  I don't want
one.  Get it.

Waitress:It's on the house.  Mrs. Mutumi says as long
as you're sitting here, I might as well get
you something.  Here, I's leave it on the
hood of your car.  When you get hungry, get
out and get it, O.K.  I'm just doing my job.

The waitress walks away.  She sees Gloria.

Waitress:Hey Gloria, wait up.

					(InteriorGanna's HouseDay)

Ganna is cowering away from Paul.  Paul is
hitting him with a big leather strap.bPaul:(Slobbering)  Look, I told you to take out
the trash.  Now take it out.

Ganna:I already did.  Really, please, Mister, don't
hit me anymore.

Ganna is writhing in pain as the blows come
down.  All of a sudden the front door comes
busting down and in rush Benja and Mitch
Patterson.  He takes one look at the
situation and knocks Paul across the room.

Mitch:Come on Ganna.  We're taking you out of here. 
(To Paul's wife)  You call yourself foster
parents.  I ought to run you both into the
police department right now for child abuse. 
This is what the state pays you for?

Wife:Really, it's not like this all the time. 
Paul has just had too much to drink.  Please
don't take Ganna.  We really love the boy . .

Benja:If you loved my brother, you wouldn't be
lettin him get all beat up.  (Benja puts his
arm around him.)  Come on, let's go to your
room and get your stuff.  You'll like staying
with the Pattersons.  He's like Dad was.`Wife:You can't march in here and take our child. 
Who do you think you are?  We've got our
rights.  (She goes for the phone.)

Mitch:Do you really want to be hauled in for child
abuse?  Think about it.  Go ahead, make the
call.  I've worked around prisons as a
counselor.  I know what happens to child
abusers.  It's not pretty.  You'll go up the
river too as an accessory.  I'll make sure
the case sticks.  You won't get off with a
slap on the hand and probation.  You just
tell whoever it was assigned you this child
that he ran away.  That's it.  If I hear
you've said anything else, and believe me, I
will know, then you are in deep shit.  Got
me?  (He picks up Paul's stone cold body.) 
Now I suggest you make your husband here some
hot coffee and get him an icepack.  He's
gonna be awful sore when he wakes up.  (He
places Paul on the couch, just as Benja and
Ganna come down the stairs.)

					(ExteriorCity StreetsNight)
`Grans walks out to the waiting car with Mitch
and Benja.  They leave.

Mitch:You don't have to ever worry about going back
there.  You'll stay with us till we get this
whole mess worked out.

Benja:Yea, you can share my room.  I have bunk
beds.

Ganna:Can I have the top one?

Benja:Sure.  Mitch, can we stop for some ice cream? 
Please.

					(InteriorRestaurantDay)

Abdul is talking to his grandmother.  He has
pulled off his wig.

Abdul:Grans, I'm not gonna be working today.  I'm
going to Alta Dena to look for Kassi.

Grans:You'd best not go walkin out of here without
that wig.  And how can you expect to find
him?  All you got is a last name Carpenter. 
There must be hundreds of Carpenters.dAbdul:I know, but only one with my brother living
with him.  I can cover a lot of ground on my
skates.  Besides, I owe it to him.  He's too
young to ever make it back here on his own. 
I promise Grans, I'll find him.  I know I
will.

Grans:You'd best hightail it out of here while the
coast is clear.  I don't want that colonel
catching you and shipping you off to
Philadelphia.

Abdul:It's not Philadelphia.  It's the Philippines.

Grans:Well, wherever it is, I'd prefer for you to
stay right here.  Here's some money.  You
call the first thing you hear anything.  (She
hands him a pile of money.)

He takes it and stuffs it in his pocket.  He
also grabs a big hot dog and goes skating out
the back door.

					(ExteriorStreetsNight)

Abdul is skating along eating the hot dog and

doesn't even notice the blue sedan pull upbalongside him.  He just pulls the hot dog out
of his mouth and drops it when he sees the
colonel opening the door and making a move
for him.  He shifts into high gear and barely
manages to escape the colonel's grasp.  the
colonel realizes that chasing him on foot is
hopeless and instead, hops back into the car
and takes off after him.  Abdul hits a street
that goes downhill and builds up a lot of
speed.  He is an excellent skater and has a
good headstart.  From the bottom of the hill
you can see the colonel's sedan burning
rubber.  Abdul comes to the intersection and
nearly runs over a young mother and her baby
in a stroller, crossing the street.  The
colonel's car careens into her.  Pedestrians
and motorists stop.  Abdul stops to see if
there is anything he can do but realizes
there is not, and skates off.  A crowd of
angry people surround the colonel's car.

					(ExteriorBus DepotDay)

Abdul gets off the bus and puts on his
skates.  He looks in the local directory and
sees over fifty Carpenters.  He heads to a
local school and shows a few kids the most
recent picture he has of his brother.  The
kids all shake their heads no.

	
					(ExteriorSchool GroundsDay)

				Abdul approaches a white punker.

Abdul:Excuse me, could I ask you a question.

Punker:Sure, fire away.
bAbdul:I'm looking for my brother.  (He points to
the skateboard picture.)  This one here. 
Have you seen him around?

Punker:Can't say I have, can't say I haven't.  (He
grabs the photo.)  Is that the Wicked
Warriors?

Abdul:Yea, that's the team he's on.

Punker:I've had a couple of run ins with Louie, this
one.  He's always practicing down by the
aqueduct.  There is a big concrete ditch out
there.

Abdul:How far?

Punker:It's about seven miles, up north by the
foothills.  Look, it's no business of mine. 
But I wouldn't let the cops catch you around
here after dark.  They'll throw you in Juvie.

Abdul:Thanks for the tip.

`Punker:Just follow this road till you see Ralph's
Market and then head east.  It'll be at the
end of the road.

		Abdul takes off skating, he spots a slow
moving delivery truck and hitches onto that. 
He barely misses being spotted by a local
police officer and when the truck turns west,
lets go of the bumper and goes down to the
aqueduct.  The place is totally deserted.  He
sits down ready to give up when he sees a kid
carrying a skateboard coming out of a growth
of trees.

Abdul:Hey, hey kid.  Wait.

The kid sees him and tries to ignore him and
Abdul runs over to him.

Abdul:Look (a little out of breath) . . . I'm
looking for my brother.  Could you help me?

Kid:How?

Abdul pulls out the picture.  He recognizes
that the kid is in the picture . . .

Kid:You're Kassi's brother.  I know where he is. 
But you're not gonna like it.  He was adopted
by Jim and Carol Carpenter.  Jim's a cop.`Abdul:Where do they live?  Can you tell me?

Kid:I'll do better than that.  I'll show you. 
But don't expect me to do more than that.  I
can't put my ass on the line.  I like Kassi
and everything, but Carpenter's a bad dude
and I already got enough of a rap.

Abdul:Look, I won't need any help, just show me
where they live.

Kid:You good?  (He looks down at Abdul's skates.)

Abdul:Yea, alright.

Kid:Then good, because it won't take long . . .

They head down a side street and really make
time.  The kid stops in front of an old style
country cottage surrounded with big oak
trees.

Kid:That's it.  Look, I don't think we could have
won the last tournament without Kassi.  He
creamed all the other PeeWees but (he
extends his hand), I really do hope you can
get him back.  He's been like a kid brother
to all of us.fAbdul:Yea, he's something else, isn't he?

Kid:Wait till after dark, and go to the rear of
the house.  That's where Kassi's room is. 
Good luck.

					(ExteriorKassi's RoomEvening)

Abdul sees a police car pull out of the
driveway and sees the light go on in the back
of the house.  He goes up to the window and
sees Kassi sitting at his desk reading a book
and playing with a small dog.

Abdul:Psst.  Kassi, passt.  Open the window.

Kassi:Abdul!  How did you find me?  (He opens the
window.)  Come on in.

When Abdul comes in the room, Kassi's dog
starts barking.  Kassi can't get it back
under control.  You can hear Carol's voice
from down the hall.

Carol:Kassi, is everything alright in there?  Why
is Spanky making such a fuss?

Kassi:(Trying to keep the dog quiet.)  Everything
is fine.  (Abdul climbs under the bed.) 
We're just playing.fCarol pokes her head in the door.  Spanky is
trying to get at something under the bed.

Carol:You're supposed to be reading, Kassi.  Don't
be getting the dog all riled up.

Kassi:Yes mam.  

Carol:Here, I'll take him out of here.  She reaches
down and scoops him up and carries him out of
the room.

Carol:Now young man, I want you to get ready for
bed.  I'm gonna take Spanky for a walk.  (She
leaves the room.)

Abdul:Come on, get your stuff.  We're going home.

Kassi:O.K., we'd better hurry.  Can I bring my
skateboard?

Abdul:Yea, we'll stay down by the bus terminal and
leave early in the morning.  Think she'll
miss you?

Kassi:I don't know, she doesn't always come in to
check on me.  Here, help me fix my bed.fThey fix his bed with pillows and slip out of
the window.  They race over the back yard
fence and run to the sidewalk, Abdul stops
and puts on his skates.

Abdul:I know you know how to use that thing.  Let's
make some time.  They hit it hard downhill
and got to a small hotel by the bus terminal. 
Kassi waits outside while Abdul checks them
in.

					(ExteriorHotelNight)

Jim Carpenter pulls up to the hotel in the
police car.  He wakes the inn keeper up.  The
inn keeper goes outside and shows Carpenter
the room that Abdul and Kassi are in. 
Carpenter walks up to the room and pounds on
the door.

Carpenter:Kassi, I know you're in there.  Look, you're
not in trouble.  Open up now.

While Carpenter continues to pound at the
door, Kassi and Abdul manage to squeeze out
of the bathroom window.  They sneak around
the other side and watch Carpenter break down
the door.  They are off down the street, both
still in their undershorts carrying their
clothes.

					(ExteriorSide StreetNight)
	b			Abdul and Kassi put on their clothes.

Abdul:How on earth did he find us?  Must have been
that guy at the motel.  Well, that rules the
bus station out. Kassi, we're gonna have to
walk until we're way clear of here.

Kassi:Or skate . . .

Abdul:That sounds like a plan.  Let's be off,
little brother.

					(InteriorCourt RoomDay)

Mrs. Mutumi is sitting before the judge and
bailiff.  She has a lawyer with her.

Bailiff:All rise.  The court will now come to order. 
The first hearing is State of California vs.
Mrs. Mutumi.

Mrs. Mutumi's Lawyer:  Your Honor, my client would like to get
legal custody of her four grandchildren.

Judge:Yes, I am aware of your client's position.  I

have studies the reports of the Child WelfarebOffice and at this time I am going to side
with them.  Although Mrs. Mutumi is better
off financially, it is the decision of the
court that she is too old to be properly
taking care of any of the young boys.

At that moment the side door opens up and the
colonel walks in.

Judge (continued):  Colonel Marshall was involved in a
pedestrian fatality yesterday while trying to
get back his legally adopted son, Abdul, whom
he spotted coming out of your client's
restaurant, and who evidently has been
working at that restaurant.  Mrs. Mutumi,
these are serious allegations.  Please be
aware that the court does not take lightly
the flaunting of its laws.  You are to return
Abdul to the custody of his legal father.

Mrs. Mutumi:Your Honor, I don't take lightly strangers
beating on my children or not giving them
their proper food.  You can make all the
rulings you want, Your Honor, but the only
way that man would get my grandson back would
	be over my dead body.b			The people in the court go crazy.

Mrs. Mutumi (continued):  And if this court system wants to
let him off after he drove over a young baby,
then I think this court system is rotten.  A
uniform don't give anyone permission to run
over people with no consequences.  Now I've
come back time after time, after time.  First
it wasn't enough money.  So now I got money,
Your Honor, plenty of money, and you are not
the last stop in this judiciary proceedings. 
You say I'm too old.  Well, I say that's
discrimination.  If we can have a man in his
seventies running the United States of
America, then an old woman pushin seventy can
raise a few of her grandbabies.  (She gets
up.)  Good day.

The crowd claps, she walks out with her
lawyer.

Abdul and Kassi are outside a small truck
stop.  Abdul puts some quarters in a pop
machine.  He hands one to Kassi and drinks
one himself.

Abdul:We're never going to get back like this.  I'm
going to call Grans and see if she can't find
	somebody to pick us up.d				(InteriorPhone BoothDay)

				Abdul drops the coins and makes the call . .

Grans:Hello, Baseball Franks.

Abdul:Grans, it's me.  I've got Kassi too.

Grans:Well, the two of you better not show up right
here now.  The heat is on.  Look, Mitch
Patterson said he would help us out.  Let me
get you his number, just one minute.  (She
fumbles around her purse until she comes up
with a card.)  6193786776, you got it.

Abdul:Yea.

Grans:How's Kassi?

Abdul:Here, I'll let you say hi to him.  (Motions
outside the phone.)  Kassi, it's Grans.

		Kassi grabs the phone and listens as Grans
talks to him.

Kassi:O.K. . . . . . . fine . . . . . yea, I've
missed you too . . . .fAbdul:(Pokes Kassi and motions to be handed the
telephone.)  Grans, I'm going to go.  We'll
call you from Patterson's.  Don't worry about
us.  We'll be fine.

					(ExteriorFootball FieldDay)

The coach is drilling his team.  An assistant
runs up to him.

Assistant:Coach, phone call.

Coach:Have them call back, we've got the big game
against Western.

Assistant:It's Abdul Mutumi.  He says it's important.

Coach:(Through his megaphone.)  Assistant Coach
Watson is going to be taking over, so
everyone sweat!!

He runs in and grabs the phone.  Next thing
you see is a cloud of dust from the Mercedes
as it pulls out of the parking lot.  

					(ExteriorTruck StopAfternoon)

bThe sleek Mercedes pulls up.  He gets out as
if to look around. Kassi and Abdul are
waiting up in a tree.

Abdul:Mr. Patterson, up here.

Mitch:Come on down.  Let's go.  You two must be
starved.

Just as they're about to get out of the tree,
a highway patrol vehicle drives up.  Mitch
casually pops the hood of his Mercedes and
pretends to look at the engine.  The highway
patrol officer glances over but misses Abdul
and Kassi sneaking into the back seat of the
Mercedes.  Mitch shuts the hood and they all
drive off.

					(InteriorPatterson KitchenEvening)

The four boys are sitting around the dining
table with a bunch of food in front of them.

Verda:Well, I think we should give thanks for God
bringing you all back together again.

				The phone rings.  She gets up to answer it.

Verda:That was Mitch.  He should be here any
minute.  Benja, set another place at the
table.  He's bringing a guest.dAbdul:I love your place.  Are you sure we're not
all in the way around here?

Verda:We have plenty of room, Abdul.  No, you're
quite welcome here.

Abdul:I can't believe all the trophies that Mitch
has, I've never seen so many.

There is a row of trophies lined up around
the ceiling.

Benja:He has even more in his study.

The doorbell rings and Mitch walks in with
Grans.

Kassi:Grans, Grans.  (He rushes and gives her a
hug.)

All the grandkids gather around her hugging
and kissing.

Grans:Now, hold on everybody, I've got some good
news.  I'm starting my first Baseball Franks
franchise.  Right here in La Jolla.

Abdul:Does that mean you're moving down here?fGrans:Yes, as soon as I am confident that my new
partner can guarantee that the place will be
run right, I'll be moving.

Ganna:What about us, where will we live?

Mitch:Verda?

Verda:We'd like you all to stay with us.  We've got
plenty of room and Mitch and I have been
wanting our own family for awhile.  We never
expected to get it all at once, but why not.

Benja:Yea, cool, why not.

Mitch:I've spoken to my lawyer and he thinks that
we can get legal custody of all of you.  The
Carpenters were upset about Kassi leaving,
but we agreed to reimburse them the adoption
expenses and the agency said it would find
them another child within the month.

Grans:Is that ham I smell in the oven?

Verda:It sure is!
dGrans:Well, what are we waitin for, child.  I'm
powerful hungry, and all I've eaten all day
has been those durn hot dogs.

They all laugh and go to the table.

Movie ends with action shots of the four boys
playing football with Mitch.

Grans and Verda watch from the sidelines