 |
|
Part 1 "How it all Began" The scene opens not in the current time but in some time past. We appear to be in a high school somewhere. As we open anarchy fills the hallways as paper air plains and books along with notebooks and pencils fly all throughout the area. But as the camera pans across it starts to focus on an awkward looking young man talking to a very attractive young lady. The kids are probably in there freshman year of high school. The young man is wearing gray slacks with his shirt tucked in halfway and broken glasses laying somewhat crooked on his face. His hair looks as if he just got out of bed and didn’t bother combing it. What ever he is asking the girl she does not seem to be really interested. As all of this is going down a rather large looking football player in a letterman’s jacket walks past as the girl shakes her head no. Football Player: Hey everybody! Roberts just asked out Amanda! How did it go buddy??? The crowd of people laughs out loud, making the tiny hallway seem even more crowded. Embarrassed the awkward looking boy who we now know is none other than Paul Roberts early in his life walks off angry. The girl he was talking to looks concerned and follows him. Amanda: I’m sorry Paul, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Paul: Its okay. Roberts walks away around the corner out of site. Amanda: I just already have a boyfriend. If I didn’t I would go with you. But Roberts is already to far down the hall to hear what she has to say. The camera fades to black and reopens later that day in the home of Paul Roberts, this is obviously long before he ever moves to Hollywood. His father Richard Roberts is standing in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee appears to be some kind of truck driver. Paul is sitting up to the table looking more relaxed then when we last saw him at school. Richard: Well son you just have to keep at it, you cant let one girl saying no get you down. Paul: You don’t get it Dad, the whole school knows that she turned me down. I knew she was way out of my league but you told me- Richard: There is no such thing as leagues. And there isn’t. Paul: Yeah well now everyone thinks I am a loser because she turned me down. Richard: Yeah whatever boy, you are going to that dance tonight and I don’t care if you have a date or not. It is all about confidence, if you have confidence in yourself you can do anything, get girls, make millions, even become a superstar. You need some and by God you will get some. Paul: Dad, I don’t want to go to the dance, no girls will want to dance with me anyway. Richard: You know that is what I don’t want to hear. And your going. Paul’s father finishes his cup of coffee and throws on his jacket and heads for the door. As he gets there he sees Paul’s friend Cody coming to the door. Richard: Paul, Cody is here. Now the roads could be a little icy tonight so I might not get back till tomorrow morning. As he says this Paul just bops his head around as if to show he has heard this many times in the past. Richard turns and to Cody. Richard: You goin to that dance tonight Cody? Cody: Yes sir. Richard: Good, make sure he goes. See you later son, have a good time at the dance. Paul does not even turn and look at his father, he just lifts his arm and waves his hand with his back to his dad. Paul’s Dad turns and walks past Cody, and makes his way over to his truck. Cody turns and goes inside and sits down at the table across from Paul. Cody: So I heard you asked Amanda out. Paul: Yeah, did you also hear that I fell right on my face? Cody: Paul, you do know that she has a boyfriend right now? Paul: What? No. Cody: Paul, come one they have been going out for a while now. Paul: No. I honestly did not know that! Paul says with disgust in his voice. Cody: Well your going to the dance anyway, you can come with me and my date. Paul: No. I’m not going at all. Cody: Your old man told me to make sure you go so your going. Paul: Fine whatever, who are you going with? Cody: Jennifer, but we are just going as friends. Paul: Whatever, your driving. And my Dad wont be back till tomorrow so we are going to town after. Cody: Fine, but your buying gas. Paul: Fine, but your buying food. Cody: Fine. Paul: FINE! Cody: Okay, dude seriously chill out. The screen fades to black once more this time we open just outside the school as Cody, his date Jennifer and the young Paul Roberts are all walking toward the school gym. Jennifer: Sorry to hear about Amanda Paul. Paul: Jeese, didn’t anyone have anything better to do today. Jennifer: You do know she has a boyfriend. Paul: I do now. Jennifer: But- Cody: Don’t worry about it me and Paul already talked about it. The conversation ends and the three walk into the gym. As the dance progresses Paul just kind of sits on the sides by himself mostly while Cody and Jennifer dance from time to time. He makes no effort to ask anyone to dance at all. After a while the girl that Paul asked earlier in the day comes over and sits next to him, this time he looks a bit more formal his clothes matching and looking neat he even has his hair combed. Amber: Hi, Paul. Paul: Hey. Amber: Paul I wanted to come over and explain about earlier today. Paul: Its fine, I should have known better than to think a beautiful girl like you would ever want to go with a guy like me. Amber: Its not that Paul, I would have loved to went with you, you are a really sweet guy, but I already have a boyfriend and – Paul: Yeah so I have heard. Amber: You didn’t know? Roberts head sinks in exasperation. Paul: No. I honestly did not know that. Amber: Well that explains a lot. Listen, I talked to my boyfriend and if you want I would like to dance with you. Paul: Seriously? I would love to dance with you. The girl grabs the shy, awkward Roberts hand and they walk down the bleachers and get down on the gym floor, but as they walk out onto the dance floor the school principle walks into the gym, walking with purpose right towards Paul. As he comes in two police officers stand in the door way, right as the two begin to slow dance the principle speaks to Paul. Principle: Paul can you come with me please? Paul: What did I do? Principle: Its nothing you did, but there is a problem and it is private. The two stop dancing and Amber smiles at Paul. Amber: Go ahead, I will be here when you get back and we can finish dancing then. Paul smiles and turns and leaves with the Principle. As they walk towards the door, the two policemen turn and one begins to speak to Paul. Policeman: Son, I don’t know how to tell you this. Paul, becomes a little nervous wondering what is going on. Policeman: Son, there has been an accident, and your Dad, Richard is hurt. Paul: Hurt? Policeman: Yeah, pretty bad actually. Paul: How bad? Policeman: Well let me take you to the hospital where he is right now and the doctors can tell you. The screen transitions directly to the hospital, where Paul is talking to the attending doctor. Doctor: Well son, its pretty bad. He is bleeding internally, and we cant stop it. Paul: What do you mean you cant stop it? Is he….is he going to die? Doctor: Well, I don’t like to say that at anytime but pretty much all we can do now is prey. Paul Roberts with tears in his eyes turns and walks into his Dad’s room, to see his father like he never had before. His battered and beaten body has taken all any mortal man’s could possibly take. Paul Roberts begins to sob as he goes and sits down in a chair next to his bed. Richard, clinging to life turns and smiles at his son. Richard: If you think this is bad you should see the other guy. The comment makes the future “Primetime” laugh a little through the sobs. Paul: Dad, the doctor says….he says that your going to be just fine. His father laughs a little but you can tell that the laugh hurts him inside. Richard: Did you ask that girl to dance tonight? Paul: Actually she asked me. Richard: Son, you should never make the girl do the asking. Paul: I will remember that. Richard: Son, I don’t know how much time I have left on this earth so I just want you to know, reach for the stars son and don’t ever settle. Paul: Not everyone gets what they want in life Dad. His dad laughs a little and then coughs. Richard: Sure they do son, and those are the ones that show up to get it.You see son, only people brave enough to chase there dreams are the ones that catch them. I love you son, and don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you cant have what you want. Those were the last words that Paul’s father said to him. And not ever Paul Roberts himself could possibly know how those words would change his life forever. The next day Paul’s father died, and Paul Roberts would never ever settle ever again. Check out Part 2, to see just how things changed for Paul as the years progressed. The scene fades out with the last image being of Paul holding his fathers hand in his hospital bed.
"Primetime" Paul Roberts  Bow Down... *Fade to Black* |
