"BAMBINO"
[ PRODUCED AS "BREAKING AWAY" ]
Written by
Steve Tesich
June 9, 1978
FADE IN
EXT. QUARRY OUTSKIRTS - DAY 1
A narrow dirt road totally surrounded by thick vegetation.
Here and there we see a huge block of stone blocking the
road. The sun is shining but it has a hard time making it
through the foliage. In the distance we see four guys
walking TOWARD the CAMERA. There is a swagger to their
walk. MII� is singing. The others are humming along. The
melody of the song of "0 Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie"
but it's a loose version.
MIME
AND WHEN I DIE...WON'T YOU BURY ME
ON THE"PARKING LOT OF THE A AND P
BLOW OUT THE CANDLES AND BLOW OUT TIE LAMPS
AND LIGHT MY PYRE WITH MY TRADING STAMPS
I HAD TWO BOOKS BUT I NEEDED THREE R
TO DELIVER ME FROM THE A AND P.
I HAD THREE BOOKS BUT I NEEDED FOUR
TO GO TO HEAVEN AND REDEEM MY SOUL.
By this time the four are in front of the CAMERA. Mike is
handsome and well built. CYRIL is tall and skinny. MOOCHER
is very short. DAVE, hanging back a little, is carrying a
large trophy.
DAVE
Bravo, Mike! Bravo! Bellisimot
CYRIL
Did you really make all that up?
They pass.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The presence of the quarry is felt much stronger now. More
and more blocks of cut stone appear. The guys are dwarfed
by them. They have to climb over some.
MIKE
I sent away for this stuff from
Wyoming. It'll tell you everything.
Since you don't believe me maybe
you'll believe it when you see it.
CYRIL
And we'd work on the same ranch
and sleep in the bunkhouse
together, eh?
Cont.
567
REVISED '"BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 2
X
1 Cont.
MOOCHER
That's the whole point.
CYRIL
I always miss the whole point.
MOOCHER
It'd be nice to have a paying
Job again, that's for sure.
DAVE
Niente laborare. Niente mangare.
MIKE
What's that mean?
DAVE
You don't work. You don't eat.
CYRIL
That's a terrible thing to say.
MED. SHOT
The quarries are felt even more now. Walls of stone rise
up around the guys.
CYRIL
Are you really going to shave
your legs?
DAVE
Certo. All the Italians do it.
MIKE
That's some country. The women
don't shave theirs.
CYRIL
STOP!
(pauses as if
THUNDERSTRUCK;
hand on heart)
It was somewhere along here that
I lost all interest in life. Ah,
right over there. I.saw
Dolores Reineke and fat Marvin.
Why? Why Dolores?
MOOCHER
They're married now.
Coat.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 3
X
1 Cont.1
MIRE
You see what I saved you from,
Cyril. Had I not told you about
the two of them you never would
have followed them out here.
CYRIL-
Thank you, Mike. You made me
lose all interest in life and
I'm grateful.
MIKE
My brother says he saw you and
Nancy. Moocher.
MOOCHER
When?
MIKE
Last Friday?
MOOCHER
Wasn't me. I'm not seeing her
anymore.
ANOTHER ANGLE
They are now standing above a huge pool of water with sheer
cliffs on three sides. Abandoned derricks loom in the
distance. Dave is now humming softly a Neapolitan song.
They begin the descent.
CYRIL
I kind of miss school. You know.
This will be the first time nobody's
going to ask us to write a theme
about how we spent our summer.
MIKE
Remember the Tomb of the
Unknown Substitute Teacher.
MOOCHER
She believed us too.
MIKE
(TEACHER'S VOICE)
Sex spelled backwards x-es.
CYRIL
When you're sixteen they call it
sweet sixteen. When you're eighteen
you get to drink, see dirty movies
and vote. But what the hell do you
do when you're nineteen.
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 3-A
X
1 Cont.2
MIKE
You leave home.
CYRIL
My dad says Jesus never went
further than fifty miles from
his home.
Mike is skipping down the rocks toward the water, taking
clothes off as he does. The rest follow.
MIKE
And look what happened to him.
Mike jumps into the water. Moocher and Cyril follow. Dave
looks on.
FADE THROUGH TO:
DAVE'S P.O.V. 1-A
The guys are swimming. Dave is holding his trophy casually,
enjoying the beautiful day. He pulls out a little
Italian Phrase Book. Finds what he wants.
DAVE
Oggi fa bello,-non e vero?
MIKE
Sure thing, partner.
MOOCHER
C'mon in.
DAVE
I read where this Italian coach
said you should never swim after
a race.
CYRIL
Who's swimming? I'm taking a
leak.
Moocher and Mike splash water at him and swim away.
FADE THROUGH TO:
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 4
ROCKS BY THE WATER 1-B
All four guys are sunbathing looking at the water. Deep X
down, at the bottom of the quarry hole we see an old icebox.
Mike is staring at it. The mood is one of total relaxation.
MIRE
Aren't you glad we got fired from
The A and P. Right now we'd be X
working.
MOOCHER
We didn't get fired. You got-
fired. We quit.
MIKE
One for all and all for one.
MOOCHER
There aren't many places, you
know, that'll hire all four of
USE
CYRIL
You know what I'd like to be?
MIKE
Smart.
CYRIL
A cartoon of some kind. Man, X
that'd be great. Like when they
get hit on their head with a
frying pan and their head looks
like a frying pan-with a handle
and everything. And then they go
b-r-r-r.
(shakes his head)
And their head comes back to
normal. That'd be great..
MIKE
How come you're so stupid, Cyril.
CYRIL
I don't know. I think I have
a dumb heredity. What's your
excuse, Mike?
Mike hits him hard on the arm. Cyril winces. Mike stands up.
He makes sure they're all watching and dives in. The guys
talk as they follow his progress.
DAVE
You hear from your folks, Moocher?
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 5
1-B Coat.
MOOCHER ..
Yeah, my Dad called. He says
there's a lot more jobs in'Chicago.
He hasn't got anything yet.
Mike has reached the icebox. He opens the door. Goes in.
Shuts the door.
MOOCHER
He wanted to know if the house
was sold. They could use the
money.
DAVE
You can come and live with me
when it's sold. In Italy
everybody lives together.
All three of them are getting concerned about Mike.
MOOCHER
Ever since you won that Italian X
bike you've been acting weird. You
really think you are Italian.
CYRIL
I .wouldn't mind thinking I was
s omebody myself.
All three of them stand up.
MOOCHER
Maybe the door is stuck. God
dammit!
Moocher dives in. Dave and Cyril follow. Moocher swims
down to the icebox, forces the door open. They surface.
As soon as they hit the surface we hear:
MIKE
�o.s.}
Yoo--hoo .
THE GUYS' P.O.V.
They see Mike standing on top of the rock above them.
MIKE
It's got no back on it!
He laughs triumphantly. He's ready to dive in again when he
pauses and looks. High above where he stands on the other
side of the quarry hole, we see several figures. The guys
are swimming toward the rocks and looking at the figures too.
5667 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 6
1-B Cont.l
CLOSEUP - MIKE
His face has hardened as he looks at the figures.
MIKE
What the hell are they doing here? X
ANOTHER ANGLE
Dave, Moocher and Cyril are standing on the rocks below Mike.
Mike is still on top of the rock. High above him are the
College Kids. Three guys and three girls. One of the guys
is standing on the ledge above the water. Our guys are
looking at the College Kid on the ledge. He seems intent
on diving into the water. It's a distance of at least eighty
feet. He pushes off and dives in executing a beautiful
somersault into a swan dive.
CLOSEUP - OUR GUYS
They are stunned.
CLOSEUP - MIKE
He's obviously envious.. He looks from the diver toward the
guys and seems to feel his position undermined.
CYRIL
I've never seen anyone dive
off from there.
MIS
BASTARDS[
(CLIMBING DOWN
THE ROCK)
They've got indoor pools and
outdoor pools on the campus
but they got to come here.
(Joins the guys)
It's my goddamn quarry.
Cyril assumes a very dramatic posture. Sings to the theme
from Exodus.
CYRIL
This hole! This quarry hole
is mine!
MIKE
Hey, screw you, Cyril. Let's
get out of here.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6 6. 8 7
EXT. QUARRY - DAY 1-C
They are retracing their steps out of the quarry. Mike is
leading. -Moocher is behind him. Dave is at the end. He's
carrying a huge trophy casually. X
MIKE
�o.s.)
If they re going to come here
then we'll go on•.the campus.
MED. SHOT - MIKE'S CAR 1-D
A racing bicycle is on top of the car. The guys are in the
car and the car is moving fast through the dirt road leading
out of the quarries.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 2
Mike is speeding through the town. A huge billboard with the
Marlboro Man whizzes past us..
INT. MIKE'S CAR
- Mike looks angry. He's got an unlit cigarette in his mouth.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 3
A car lot is on the right. "CAMPUS CARS.",
MOOCHER
Isn't your dad working today?
DAVE
(o.s.)
No, the doctor told him to take
it easy. He's taking Sunday's off.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - CITY HALL - DAY 4
City Hall is on the left.
CYRIL
(O€¢S€¢)
That's where you go to get a
marriage license, Mooch.
MOOCHER
(o.s.)
Yeah, so what?
Cyril laughs and then howls as he's hit.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" ; 6/16/78 8
OUT 5 X
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 6
Huge modern structures are looming in the distance in stark
contrast to the town we just passed through. Mike's car-is
speeding toward them. X
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 7
Mike's car turns into a street called Fraternity Row.- Most
of the fraternities and sororities-are located along this
stretch. Neat lawns line the area. The houses are enormous:
an architectural mixture of old manor house and modern motel.
The college kids are outside on the lawns. Some are reading.
Girls in bikinis sunbathing. Guys washing their cars. Some
other guys passing the football around. Transistor radios
playing. Mike drives slowly.
INT. MIKE'S CAR
All the guys are looking out of the windows as if they were
in a museum. Mike looks at the expensive cars along the way.
Cyril looks at the Girls in bikinis. Moocher looks at the
huge well-built guys. Dave just looks.
CYRIL
Going to college must do'something
'to girls' tits. Just look at them.
Campussies and sororititties.
(sticks head out;
shouts to a couple
of Girls) -
Hi, there. What's your major?
The Girls look up and kind of sneer.
MOOCHER
They sure look like they've
got it made.
MIKE
That's because they're rich.
DAVE
Italians are all poor but they're
happy.
MIKE
Maybe in Italy.
Cont.
567
9
7 Cont.
CYRIL
I wonder what it's like to kiss
a coed. I wonder about it a lot.
Ahead of Mike's car we see two Guys and two Girls playing
Frisbee. They are standing on the lawns and throwing the
Frisbee to each other across the street. Mike's car is
moving slowly forward when an ill-thrown Frisbee lands on
the street. Mike sees it and speeds up. A Girl is running
to get it but Mike gets there first and runs over it. Dave
gets a quick look at the Girl as she stops"suddenly to keep
from getting hit. The two college Guys run out and give'
Mike the finger. He sees them in the rearview mirror.
MIKE
Hey, those bastards are giving
us the finger.
He slams on the brakes.
MOOCHER
Hey, c'mon, Mike. We're on
their turf.
Dave is looking back at the Girl. The two Guys are
challenging Mike, motioning to him to come back. The two
Girls are trying to talk them out of it. Mike-is gunning
the car.
MIKE
They think they own the place.
MOOCHER
They do.
CYRIL
Besides, you've humiliated them
enough. In ancient Japan when
you ran over a samurai's Frisbee
he had to commit suicide.
Just as he laughs Mike shifts the car in reverse. The
two Guys and Girls are standing in the middle of the road.
The Guys are coming forward thinking Mike's going to stop,
but Mike has no intention of stopping. The Girls and the
Guys split as Mike's car roars between them. Once again
Dave catches a fleeting glimpse of the Girl. Having
scattered them, Mike makes a U-turn and drives away in
the direction he came from.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" 8/12/78 10
7 Cont.1
CLOSEUP - THE COLLEGE KIDS
The girl Dave saw, KATHERINE, is looking after the car
holding a cracked Frisbee in her hand. The tall well-built
guy next to her, ROD, her boyfriend, looks real upset.
He is wearing a Little 500 T-shirt.
ROD
Dumbass cutters. Goddamn
redneck retards.
OUT 8
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE 9
riding. A Neapolitan melody plays as Dave rides holding his
trophy:. a romantic song of the south and not southern
Indiana. The small houses could be Italian houses to
Dave. The people sitting on porches and steps could be
Italians. Dave waves like a returning hero.
DAVE
Buon giornol Buon giornol
(SPOTS SOME
SMALL CHILDREN)
Hey, bambino.
The people and the kids look at him like he's an oddball,
but Dave does not notice. A woman is shaking a rug ahead
of him, and she looks so Italian that he can't help but
smile. A big blonde GIRL is coming out of the house
dressed in a waitress outfit. She sees Dave.
G=
Dave...is Moocher home?
But Dave just rides past her in a daydream.
CLOSEUP - A COUPLE ON A PORCH
They're older PEOPLE. The Man is drinking a beer.
WOMAN
Tsk. Tsk. He was as normal
as pumpkin pie and'now look x
at him.
The Man lets out a long beer belch.
WOMAN
His poor parents.
5 67
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 11
_ X
l f T. BLASE HOUSE - DAY 10
MR. BLASE is sitting at a kitchen table. MRS. BLASE is
boiling water. Mr. Blase does not look happy. He's got
a flyswatter in his hand. He sees a fly. Whack. He hits
it. He misses.
MR. BLASE
It's that cologne he wears.
MRS. BLASE
Neapolitan Sunset, it's called.
MR. BLASE
Well, it smells like fruit
punch to me and it attracts
flies.
Mrs. Blase comes over and pours some hot water into his cup.
She takes a package of Sanka from her apron pocket and puts
it in the saucer.
MRS. BLASE
There.
Mrs. Blase looks at the table.
MR. BLASE
This is itl
MRS. BLASE
You have to watch your diet.
MR. BLASE
Diet, if anybody found out I
was on the diet they'd laugh
me out of town. A diet.
MRS. BLASE
You know what the doctor said.
At your age...
MR. BLASE
At my agel What the hell do you
mean at my age.
MRS. BLASE
He says you have a bad heart.
MR. BLASE
Yeah, but it's got nothing to do
with my age. It's our son that's
ruining my heart, Evelyn. What's
he going to do? He wanted a year
with those bums so I gave him a year.
CONT
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 12
X
10 Cont.
MRS. BLASE
It hasn't been a year yet.
MR. BLASE
But, Evelyn. Look whatts happened
to him. He's turned into a ity;
It was funny at first but it's not
funny anymore. Ciao, Papa. Ciao,
Mama. Arrivaderchit That's ity
talk.
MRS. BLASE
It's just hero worship. He says
the Italians are the best bike
racers in'the world and he...
MR. BLASE
This is America, Evelyn. Only
paper boys ride bikes and they
earn money doing it.
MRS. BLASE
Re did win his bicycle and he
was quite sickly 'til he started
racing around and in three years
._
ne's...
MR. BLASE
(INTERRUPTS)
So now his body's fine but his
mind is gone. He used to be a
smart kid. I thought he was
going to goy to college.
MRS. BLASE
I thought you didn't want him
to go to college.
MR. BLASE
Why should he go to college?
I didn't go to college. When I
was nineteen I was working in the
quarries ten hours a day.
MRS. BLASE
But most of the quarries have
shut down.
MR. BLASE
Let him find another job.
MRS. BLASE
But there aren't any jobs.
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/15/78 13
10 Cont.1
MR. BLASE
Let him look at least. Let him
come home tired from looking.
He's never tired.
MRS. BLASE
He's young.
MR. BLASE
When I was young I was tired.
I had my own place at seventeen.
MRS. BLASE
He says Italian families stay
together,
MR. BLASE
BUT WE ARE NOT ITALIANI
MRS. BLASE
I know. It's just that I come
from a big family myself. . .and
it really was kind of nice...
(smiles, half
EMBARRASSED)
He thinks we should have another
kid.
MR. BLASE
What?t
Dave enters carrying his trophy.
DAVE
Ah, buon giorno, Papa.
MR. BLASE
I'm your goddamned father, not
papa.
DAVE
Buon giorno, Mama.
MR. BLASE
She's your goddamn mother.
Whatcha do -- win again?
Dave opens the fridge and takes out a hunk of cheese and a
hunk of salami and starts eating. Mr. Blase looks at him
like a wolf and then he looks at half a grapefruit in front
of him. He finds it unbearable to watch him chew.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "B.ANBINO" - 8/15/78 14
10 Cont.2
DAVE
Yes, the victory ...she was easy.
But the promoter...'fondatore'
...He says the Italian team...it
will come maybe soon...and I will
race with the best...ITALIANO. X
Like the nightingale they sing,
like the eagles they fly.
Mr. Blase can't bear to watch him eat. He's starved.
MR. BLASE
Speaking of flies...there's a
helluva lot of flies following
you into the house.
DAVE
Fly in Italian is 'mosca.'
MR. BLASE
Well in English it's a pest.
And speaking of pests...
Mrs. Blase senses an argument.
MRS .. BLASE
It's a nice trophy isn't it,
dear?
MR. BLASE
Yeah, so what. I've lived fifty
years without ever getting a
trophy.
DAVE
You never got trophy, Papa?
MR. BLASE
No, never, and what's more...
Dave interrupts.
DAVE
Here, Papa. I give you. You
are 'Numero Uno.' King Papa.
Dave hands him the trophy. Mr. Blase is stunned. He'takes
it. Before he can even think to give it back Dave kisses
him on both cheeks.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/15/78
MR. BLASE
Don't do thatl How many times...
DAVE
Now I'have to go and take
a shower.
(starts to leave
AND PAUSES)
Such a big house and so few
people. I wish I had plenty
of fratelly and sorelly to greet
me when I come home and to wave
when I go.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 15
10 Cont.3
Dave leaves. Mrs. Blase sighs. She too would like a big
family. Mr. Blase is holding the trophy and looking at it.
Neapolitan music is heard coming from Dave's room. Mr. Blase
has had it.
MR. BLASE
There'-s that ity music again. X
I'm going to have it out with
him now.
He goes to Dave's room carrying the trophy with him.
Mrs. Blase follows him a few steps and stops. She waits...
listening. She is apprehensive. She wants to follow and
help Dave out but she stays behind wringing her hands.
Mr. Blase reappears looking quite stunned. He's holding the
trophy in one hand along his side.
MRS. BLASE
What's the matter?
MR. BLASE
HE'S SHAVINGL
MRS. BLASE
Well, so what?
MR. BLASE
His legs, Evelyn. He's shaving X
his legs. I saw him. His legs.
MT. DAVE' S BATHROOM 11
Huamoing along with the record player Dave is shaving away at
his overly-lathered legs.
OUT 12
CUT TO:
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - CLOSEUP - THE STEREO - DAY 13
A record is turning. On top of the dust cover we see an
album cover: ENRICO GIMDNDI SINGS NEAPOLITAN FAVORITES. X
The CAMERA MOVES SLOWLY AROUND his room. There are bicycle
trophies everywhere. Posters of Italian racers. Posters of
Italian movies. Magazine covers and newspaper clippings
from Italian racing magazines. Bicycle parts: Spare
wheels...cranks...pedals. Several bicycle jerseys hanging
on the doorknob.. ENRICO GINSONDI sings during.this tour
of Dave's room. Dave comes out of the shower humming along.
A cat comes to greet him, meowing.
DAVE
Ah, there you are Fellini...
Hungry, eh?
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 16
13 Cont.
He goes to a drawer and takes out a can of "Chef Boy-ar-dee"
spaghetti and meatballs. Still humming, he opens the can
and dumps the food into a deep ashtray with "CINZANO" written
on the sides.
DAVE
Mangiare...mangiare...
Be looks at the posters of the bicycle riders. He looks in
the mirror. He takes a comb and combs his hair back in the
"continental" style. Then he smiles. He picks up a book:
"ITALIAN PEASE BOOK" and lies down on the bed to read it.
EXT. MR. BLASE'S USED CAR LOT - DAY 14
A big sign: "CAMPUS CARS."
The car lot is nowhere near the campus but the sign is
considered good business. All around the car lot are other
signs: BEST DEAL IN TOWN. CARS WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION.
The cars themselves have signs on them: "GRAD SCHOOL
SPECIAL." "ENGLISH MAJOR" PhD" "HOMECOMING QUEEN" "CUM
LAUDE" "MAGNA CUM LAUDE."
CLOSEUP - MR. BLASE AND CUSTOMER
The CUSTOMER is a young college kid. Mr. Blase is showing
him the "HOMECOMING QUEEN."
MR. BLASE
It gets thirty miles to a gallon, X
of course the mileage you get may
vary. It's a beaut, right? Right.
You sure know how to pick them.
Frankly this is the best car on
the lot. Quality product.
DAVE
(o.s. )
Ciao, Papal
Mr. Blase cringes. Looks up.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's on his bike across the street. He's waving.
DAVE'S P.O.V.
Mr. Blase is looking at his Customer pretending he has no
idea who Dave is. He shrugs and turns his back and quickly
glances over his shoulder as Dave rides away.
567
17
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 15
Students are everywhere and so are classroom buildings. Tall,
new, limestone structures resembling office buildings.
Students sit on the steps outside the buildings. They are
lying around on the grass and walking to and from classes.
All of them have books in hand. The wind is blowing.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's sitting next to his bike on the grass and looking around
at all of them. In his hands he has his Italian Phrase Book:
the book being his admission ticket into this world. It's
obvious he's feeling a little out of place, but he enjoys
looking at the campus world. A campus Police Car drives by
and Dave quickly hides his face in the book. Waits for it
to pass and when he looks up he is struck by something.
MED. SHOT - KATHERINE - DAVE'S P.0.V.
She's coming out of a classroom building with a bunch of books
and papers in her hands. The wind is blowing her hair back.
The CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON her face, isolating her from all the
others, just as Dave is doing.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
His mouth is open. He blinks once. He swallows.
DAVE
Mama mia I
CUT TO:
MED. SHOT - KATHERINE
As she's walking, she transfers her books from one hand to
the other. A piece of paper escapes her and flies away in
the wind.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He sees the paper fly away and jumps up.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON KATHERINE
She tries to go after the paper but the traffic keeps her from
crossing the street. The paper's flying away. She gives up,
and turns toward the parking lot just as we see Dave on his
Cont.
567
18
15 Cont.
bicycle chasing after the paper. He cuts through the cars,
he cuts in front of them. The horns blow. The brakes
screech. All Dave sees is the paper. He's on a mission.
He cuts through the pedestrians crossing the street
maneuvering brilliantly.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - A COLLEGE GUY
He's just walking. He sees the piece of paper flying around
and grabs it casually. Just as he's ready to read it a hand
appears in the FRAME and snatches it away from him. It's
Dave, riding away with the piece of paper in his hand. The
College Guy just stands and looks after him.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON KATHERINE - ON A MOTOR SCOOTER 16
She's driving home. In her rearview mirror she spots
something. A bicycle rider. He seems to be gaining on her.
She speeds up almost instinctively.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - ON THE BIKE
He's. got the paper in his mouth and he speeds up too. He
shifts his gear.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON KATHERINE
She's riding along. She glances in the rearview mirror and
sees Dave quite close behind her with the paper in his mouth.
She shifts her gears too. She smiles a little.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's close enough to shout. He opens his mouth to shout.
The paper flies out but he quickly catches it in mid-air.
DAVE
Signorina...
He has momentarily lost ground on her but he sticks the
paper in his mouth and pours it on.
CUT TO:
Cont.
5 67
REVISED - "BAMBINO"_ 8/12/78 19
16 Cont.
ANGLE ON KATHERINE
She's crossing the street just as the light changes. Dave
crosses on the red light. Once again he's nearly hit by
several cars. He follows Katherine up the hill leading to
Fraternity Row. He overtakes her just as. she's about to
turn into the drive leading to her sorority. But Dave is
there on her right preventing her-from turning. She too
almost hits him. She slams on her brakes. Dave slams on
his. They come to a dead stop.
DAVE
Signorina...You...
He's handing her the paper but then he pauses and pulls it
back just as she's about to take it. He wipes the saliva
off the paper on his jersey, and then gives it to her.
DAVE
It is yours...no?
She takes the paper and smiles. Then she laughs.
KATHERINE
You mean you've been chasing
me with this? Well, that's
redly something. Thank you
very much. Talk about chivalry.
Dave is just looking at her. She's never seen anyone look
at her quite like that. She's a bit confused.
KATHERINE
Well, thanks again.
DAVE
Is nothing...niente...signorina.
KATHERINE
What're you...an exchange student
or something?
- DAVE
Si. I am Italian. My name
is ENRICO GIMONDI. X
KATHERINE
And mine is Katherine Maxwell.
DAVE
Ah, Katherinal
Cont.
367
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 20
X
16 Cont.l
She likes the sound of this. But the way Dave looks at her
is unsettling.
KATHERINE
Well, thanks again, again.
'BYE
DAVE
Ciao,. Katherina.
Dave'rides away. She looks after him.
OUT 17-
19
EXT. MOOCHER'S HOUSE - DAY 20
There's a big CAMPUS REALTY sign outside the house with a
FOR-SALE tacked over it. NANCY is walking up to the screen
door. She knocks. Moocher appears holding a huge barbell
at shoulder height. They smile nervously at each other.
MOOCHER
NANCYL
NANCY
I was just on my way to work...
Come in.
He pushes the door open with one end of the barbell and lets
her in checking the street to make sure nobody saw her. She
goes in. Moocher shuts the other door too.
INT. MOOCHER'S HOUSE - DAY 20-A
The two room house is empty except for a sleeping bag and a
wooden foot locker -- Moocher resumes working with the
barbells.
NANCY
You know what?
MOOCHER
No, what?
NANCY
I'm leaving home that's what.
MOOCHER
Whatl Where're you going?
Cont.
567
AiEVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 w 21
X
20-A Cont.
NANCY
About five blocks south. I found
a nice little house to rent. It's
so cute I could scream. My folks
said I could have some'of their
furniture from the basement. Maybe
you could give me a hand...moving.
MOOCHER
Sure...if...If I'm not busy. You
know. How's the Job?
NANCY
You know what! Frank said if I
keep up the good work it'll just
be a matter of time before I
become a head cashier. I should
go now.
MOOCHER
Maybe...eh...Maybe I'll walk you
to work. I have to go that way
anyway.
She smiles, happy at the prospect of a nice walk together.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 21
Dave and Cyril are going through the outskirts of the campus.
Dave is riding his bike slowly. Cyril is jogging along.
They go past the Campus Arts Cinema. Dave looks at the
marquee: FELLINI'S AMARCORD. He looks away and then looks
back at it.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 22
Some kids are playing basketball outside a garage. As Cyril
and Dave are ready to go past them Cyril Jumps into the game.
He steals the ball. He dribbles, fades away and shoots a long
jump shot. It goes in. He rejoins Dave but he looks back at
the game. It's clear he misses basketball.
EXT.�BLOOMINGTON - DAY 23
Dave is riding his bike. Cyril runs.
CYRIL
Are your parents asking you
'what you're going to do?
DAVE
I think they're getting curious.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 21-A
X
23 Cont.
CYRIL
I sure miss playing basketball.
I got depressed as hell when my
athlete's foot and jock itch
went away. I was sure I'd get
a basketball scholarship. My
dad was sure I wouldn't. And
when I didn't he was real
understanding. He loves to do
that. Be understanding when I
fail. 'That's all right, Cyril,
I understand.' He even bought
me a guitar because he was sure
I'd never learn to play it.
DAVE
I'm supposed to take this college
entrance exam.
CYRIL
You going to go to college?
DAVE
Hell no. I'm Just curious to
see if I can pass.
CYRIL
Maybe I'll take it too and flunk
it. My dad's birthday is coming
UP 0
They part. Dave rides off. Cyril looks after him.
EXT. ROAD - CLOSEUP - KATHERINE - DAY 24
She's driving Rod's Mercedes convertible. She seems
nervous and is constantly looking from the road to the
rearview mirror.
ROD
Just keep it steady.
Cont.
567
22
24 Cont.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Rod and five of his Fraternity Brothers are riding their
bicycles behind the car.
ROD
Keep your elbows bent. That's
right. PICK IT UP KATHY!
Thirty an hourl
EXT. FURTHER UP THE ROAD - DAY
Dave is riding his bicycle. A sudden explosive noise of a
tire going flat.
DAVE
AHL STROONZI
He puts the brakes on.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Dave is taking the front wheel off. He's peeling the tire off
the rim ready to put on a spare. Katherine is driving toward
him. He sees her. She sees him. As she goes past him she
slows down a little but enough to.make Rod almost run into
her.
ROD
What the hell you doing,
KATHY I
She speeds up and she and the bike riders go past Dave.
On the back of the riders' jerseys we see: Little 500.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He looks after them pumping up his spare.
OUT 25-
31
INT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT
32
Mr. Blase is sitting at a table. Mrs. Blase is at the stove
putting food on a plate.
MR. BLASE
Those college kids aren't so smart.
I sold one of my worst cars to one
of them today. They're not so
smart. It's a good thing that
Dave didn't...
Cont.
5 67
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 23
32 Cont.
Mrs. Blase puts the plate of food in front of him. He looks
at it.
MR. BLASE
What's this?
MRS. BLASE
It's sauteed zucchini.
That does it. It reminds him of Dave. It reminds him of the
kid at'the lot and his contradictory emotions about Dave's
future.
MR. BLASE
That's ity food! I don't want no X
ity food!
MRS. BLASE
No it's not. I got it at the
A and P. It's like squash.
MR. BLASE
I know ity food when I hear it. X
All those -- ini foods. Zucchini
...Fettuccini...I want some American
food. I want French. fries, da=it.
The cat jumps up on the table.
MRS. BLASE
Get off, Fellini.
MR. BLASE
THAT'S MY CAT! AND HIS NAME'S
JAKE, NOT FELT- NI. I won't have
any -- ini in this house.
(to the cat)
YOUR NAME IS JAKE. DO YOU
UNDERSTAND?
EXT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 32-A
All the lights are turned off. Dave is sneaking home.
Dave has his bicycle with him. X
INT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 32-B X
Mr. and Mrs. Blase in bed.
MR. BLASE
He's back. X
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO - 8/12/78 24
EXT. BLASE HOUSE - DAY 33
Dave is putting free oil on his bike. Barking is heard o.s.
A Mailman appears. He hands Dave the mail and continues x
on his way, the dogs barking and snapping at his heels. Dave
picks his 'SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" magazine out of the packet
and walks slowly to the house, leafing through it. He stops
suddenly. He drops the other mail as he.zeroes in on-some
article in the magazine.
DAVE
MAMAI MAMA I THE ITALIANS ARE
COMING!
He runs in the house just as Mrs. Blase runs out of the house.
They run into each other. Dave picks her up and spins her.
MRS. BLASE
What's the matter?
DAVE
The Italians are coming to a
race in Indianapolis. The team
CINZANOI
(lets her go
AND CROSSES
HIM ELF)
Grazia tante, Santa Maria.
MRS. BLASE
Oh, Dave, try not to become
Catholic on us. Your father's
quite Protestant.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 34
Dave is on his bike beaming with happiness, zooming down the
street. He hears the dogs barking. He sees the Mailman.
He speeds toward him. Jumps the curb with his bike, and
comes to a dead stop in front of the Mailman. Jumps off the
bike and hugs the Mailman, kissing him on both cheeks.
DAVE
Grazia, signor, molte.grazia!
The stunned Mailman has no time to reply. Dave Jumps back
on his bike and rides away.
DAVE
AVANTIL AVANTIL
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 35
Dave is riding his bike. He's filled with joy and wants to
share it with somebody. He spots a flower shop. He smiles
and heads for. it.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 25
X
INT. FLOWER SHOP - DAY 36
The clerk behind the counter is SUZY. She was one of the
girls playing Frisbee on page 9.
SUZY
You want the flowers sent to
Katherine Maxwell.
DAVE
Yes.
SUZY
What's the address?
DAVE
Ah...She's in a sorority...on
Third Street.
SUZY
There's a lot of sororities there:
Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Alpha Phi.
Dave is very intimidated by all this.
DAVE
It said on the front of the
house...it had...X triangle,
triangle.
SUZY
The CHI-DELT house, eh?
- DAVE
Ah, yes! CHI-DELT, CHI-DELT.
He is listening to the words.
EXT. FLOWER SHOP - DAY 36-A
Dave-is coming out. Mike's car drives past at that moment.
Mike stops. Cyril and Moocher are in the car.
MIKE
What were.you-doing in there?
DAVE
Eli...I...1 sent some flowers to
the CHI-DELT...my mother. Guess
what! The Italians are coming.
MIKE
Guess what? Moocher's going.
CYRIL
Talk to him Dave!
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 26
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 37
Mike's car with Dave riding his bike along as they go x
through town.
DAVE
Where you going, Mooch?
CYRIL
He's getting a job! Yes, a
job!
EXT. CAMPUS CAR WASH - DAY 38
Moocher is standing outside Mike's car. The guys are inside.
Cyril is-holding onto Moocher's arm. Moocher is trying to
free himself.
MIRE
'Campus' Car Wash. It's
campus everything. I feel like
some reservation Indian
surrounded by Disneyland. I
thought we were going to.stick
together.
MOOCHER
I need a job, Mike.
He frees himself from Cyril and goes.
CYRIL
Don't go, Mooch! They only let
you out on weekends and national
holidays!
MIFF
Don't forget to write!
INT. CAMPUS STREET CAR WASH - DAY 39 x
A bunch of College Kids are washing cars. The OWNER, a very
hefty, tall man, is talking to Moocher.
OWNER
You're a little late, but I
guess you won't let it happen
again. Here's your sponge and
here's your rag and there's
your place.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6 16 78 27
39 Cont.
Moocher takes the sponge and the rag and heads for the
car wash. He goes past the punch clock. -
OWNER
Don't forget to punch the
clock, shorty.
NEW ANGLE
We see Moocher from the back. He stops suddenly when he
hears the word "shorty." He turns around slowly. He looks
at the Owner. He wraps the rag around his fist. And then,
with a sudden explosive movement, he punches the clock with
his fist, knocking it off the wall.
MOOCHER
How's that?
He tosses the sponge aside and walks out shaking the pain
from his fist.
E=. CAR WASH
Moocher walks out. Mike and the guys are gone. He puts his
bands in his pockets and starts home. Mike's car suddenly
appears.
Everyone is cheering. Mike's blowing his horn.
Moocher gets in the car.
OUT 40-
41
INT. STUDENT UNION - EVENING 42
Jukebox is playing. Some kids are dancing. The place is
packed. Here and there we see T-shirts with "Little 500"
on them. The CAMERA PANS SLOWLY as we hear voices above the
din.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINQ" - 8/12/78 28
42 Cont.
VOICE ONE
(o.s.)
The S.A.E.'s have their whole
team back. They're all swimmers.
See that guy there. That's
Rod Sommers. He rode.seventy
laps last year in the Little 5.
VOICE TWO
(o.s.) -
We had Mark Spitz in our fraternity
but he wouldn't ride. -Who's the
girl with him?
CLOSEUP - ROD AND KATHERINE
ROD
Suzy says this guy's sent you X
flowers.
KATHERINE
So what? You never sent me
flowers.
ROD
Who is he, Kathy?
KATHERINE
Just some crazy guy I met. God,
I don't know what's gotten into
you.
ROD
And what I want to know is has
he gotten into you, Bath?
She slaps him. Rod looks around to see if anyone saw that he
got hit.- A SHOT of Katherine's girl friend, Suzy. She saw.
She smiles at Rod. He looks away from her.
X
She gets up. Leaves a quarter for the coffee and leaves.
Rod looks around once again, and once again he sees Suzy
smiling at him. He looks away. A new loud song begins on
the jukebox.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 29-31
X
OUT 43-
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 45
Dave is riding in his church clothes. His trousers, as
before, are rolled up to avoid getting dirty from the chain.
He's feeling great. It's a nice day. He's been to church.
He hears the music of Italy in his soul. As he's crossing
an intersection, he sees Moocher and Nancy going down the
street. He pauses...as if wondering whether to join them.
Decides not to. He rides away in his direction. The CAMERA
STAYS ON Moocher and the girl. They are stopping in front
of her house.
OUT
9
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/15/78 32
INT. BLASE KITCHEN - DAY 49
Mrs. Blase is making some French fries. Mr. Blase is looking
very neurotic. He's listening to the music filtering in from
Dave's room.
MR. BLASE
I want an answer, Evelyn.
What're we going to do with
him?
MRS. BLASE
I don't know, dear. I suppose
we could strangle him while
he's asleep.
MR. BLASE
That's not funny, Evelyn.
MRS. BLASE
Why don't you talk to him.
MR. BLASE
I'm afraid to talk to him. I'm
afraid to look at him. I'm
afraid if I did, I'd see his
eyes twirling like pinwheels.
Mrs. Blase brings the fries.
MRS. BLASE
The only reason I'm giving you
these French fries is because
you promised to calm down.
Don't expect to get them
again.
Mr. Blase is still annoyed by Dave's music.
MR. BLASE
I can't eat while that noise
is on.
He gets up and heads toward Dave's room. Dave appears
dressed for riding. They cross paths. Mrs. Blase goes to
wash the pan in the sink. Dave sees the French fries on - X
the table. He sits down and starts eating them. The
music stops. Mrs. Blase turns around and sees Dave eating
the French fries. She wants to say something. Mr. Blase
reappears and sees Dave eating his fries.
MR. BLASE
STOPI THEM'S MY FRENCH FRIES.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/15/78 33
49 Cont.
But the French fries are gone. Dave looks at his father x
and mother. He suddenly clutches his heart.
DAVE
Oh, Mama...
Mrs. Blase is frightened.
MRS. BLASE
Oh, my God. What's the matter?
DAVE
My heart, Mama. Mio cuorol
MRS. BLASE
It's his heart. It's those damn
French fries he ate.
MR. BLASE
THEY WERE MY FRENCH FRIES.
DAVE
I am in love, mama, Papa.
(gets up and
hugs his father;
then walks toward
DOOR)
I have such a pain in my heart.
He walks out. Mr. Blase goes to the empty plate.
Mrs. Blase opens the 'fridge and starts putting all kinds of
food into a bag: cheeses, sausage, the rest of the eggs in
the carton...bacon. Mr. Blase looks at her.
MR. BLASE
What are you doing? Evelyn.
MRS. BLASE
I won't have any heart attack
food in my house. That was
God's warning to us. If anybody
dies around here it won't be on
my conscience.
MR. BLASE
What are you doing, Evelyn?
MRS. BLASE
These are all the food the
doctor said you can't have...
and they're all going out.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 34
X
49 Cont.l
She is in fact piling them into the trash can. Mr. Blase
looks"on trying to keep his composure.
MR. BLASE
I'm having a nightmare.
OUT 50
EXT. COUNTRY-ROAD - DAY 51
Dave is combing back his hair in the Italian "style" while
riding. In his other hand, he has his Italian Phrase Book.
He's not''riding very hard. To the right of him,-in the
fields, we see a few cows and horses. Above him, on the
electrical wires, birds are perched like musical notes. He's
riding and humming.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The CAMERA SWINGS UP PICKING UP the birds on the wires and
Dave seems to be humming a motif created by'their pattern.
The utility poles whiz by faster and faster.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Dave is facing the opposite way from the way he came. He's
at.a standstill. He puts the phrase book away. His face
changes. He's hyperventilating. A hard competitor's look
is in his eyes. He looks at his wristwatch.
OUT 52-
53
567
35.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY 5L
Dave is at a junction of a country road and a highway. He's
about to ride onto the highway. He looks at his watch as he
does. We see a truck behind him making the same turn. As
Dave gets on the highway we see a sign: BLOOMINGTON - 50
miles. The truck follows him..
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HIGHWAY
Dave is building up speed when the truck passes him.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
Big smile.
CLOSEUP - THE TRUCK
We see a big sign on the back: "CINZANO."
ANOTHER ANGLE
Dave speeds up and gets behind the truck to use it as a
windbreak.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE TRUCK DRIVER
He sees Dave behind him and speeds up, shifting gears.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He shifts gears.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE TRUCK DRIVER
He looks at his speedometer. He's going forty. He looks in
the side mirror. He sees Dave. He sticks out four fingers.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON THE TRUCK DRIVER 55
He looks at the' speedometer. He's going fifty. He sticks
out five fingers. He can't believe Dave is still there. He
shifts again.
CUT TO:
567 Cont.
36
55 Cont.
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's going all out now.. He's in.his highest gear.
• CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE TRUCK DRIVER
He looks at the speedometer. He's going sixty, He looks at
the side mirror and still sees Dave. Suddenly he also sees
a red flashing light and hears the siren of a State Trooper.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's still going hard only now there's no truck in front of
him. He looks back over his shoulder and sees the truck and
the State Trooper at the side of the road. Dave continues.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
Sweat is dripping down his chin. Pain is beginning to distort
his face. But his legs move in the same rhythmical motion.
A LONG SHOT
We see Dave and his bicycle disappear down one. of the rolling
hills and then reappear again on the incline.
A LONGER SHOT
Dave is now a dot on the horizon.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He shifts gears and starts to sprint. His face is agony now.
CLOSEUP - A HIGHWAY SIGN
"WELCOME TO BLOOMINGTON: HOME OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY."
ANOTHER ANGLE
As Dave goes past the sign, he quickly looks at his watch.
He's elated. A huge grin breaks in his salt-covered face,
and he reaches for his water bottle and sprays his head with
it as if it were victory champagne. Ahead of him we see
the Marlboro Man billboard.
CLOSEUP - THE BILLBOARD
We ZERO IN ON a phrase: COME TO WHERE THE FLAVOR IS.
567 FADE THROUGH TO:
37
EXT. BLOOMINGTON CAPE - DAY 56
Mike,•Cyril and Moocher are sitting on the sidewalk. Mike
is looking at a magazine with the Marlboro Man on the back
cover,
MIKE
That's the place to be...Wyoming.
Look at that ...praires and
mountains and nobody around. All
you need is a bedroll and a good
horse.
CYRIL
Don't forget your toothbrush.
You're still in your cavity-prone
years.
A Campus Police Car pulls up.
MOOCHER
Here comes your brother.
Mike puts a cigarette in his mouth as his brother, a
Campus COP in his late twenties comes out.
COP
I hear you've been hot-rodding
through the campus again.
I was Just...
COP
I'll take the car back if you
keep it up.
MISS
All right, all right.
The Cop is heading toward the cafe.
COP
How're you doing, guys?
CYRIL
We're a little disturbed by the
developments in the Middle East
...but other than that...
The Cop goes into the cafe, As soon as he does Mike acts
tough again.
Cont.
567
REVISED - 'BAAINO1 - §Z12/78 38
56 Cont.
MISS
Camp-pussie cop. Hey, I know
what. Letts all drive to
Terre Haute tomorrow. There's
supposed to be a whorehouse
there.
'MOOCHER
I'm eh...I'm busy tomorrow.
CYRIL
That's funny. Me too.
Both of them feel a little guilty. Mike pretends he doesn't
care.
MIGE
Ah. I never pay for it anyway.
EXT MR. BLASE'S CAA LOT - DAY 57
But it's dark enough to be evening. The sky is black and
it's raining. Mr. Blase stands in the doorway of his office.
He's looking out. For once he's a little relaxed. Nobody
will come in this weather. gets thinking. Maybe he's
thinking about his youth. His eyes fall on his potbelly.
He sucks it in. But he can't hold it in. Lets it out and
goes back to thinking.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - NANCY'S CARAVAN.- DAY 58 X
It's still raining. Moocher is helping the Waitress, NANCY,
carry in a huge chest of drawers. Moocher is carrying it
solo. Nancy.seems worried.
MOOCHER
I'm fine. I'm fine.
NANCY
You're so strong.
One of the drawers falls out of the chest. Nancy's X
clothes scatter on the sidewalk. Moocher pauses. Nancy
puts the clothes back in the drawer and then she, too,
pauses as she picks up a long nightgown. She. holds it
against her'body as she folds it slowly looking at Moocher
and he at her, still holding the chest of drawers.
NANCY X
You know what?
MOOCHER �X
No, what?
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 39
X
58 Cont.
NANCY
I'm thinking of getting my
hair done'.
She puts the nightgown in the drawer. Then she demonstrates.,
pushing her hair back.
NANCY
I thought maybe, something like
this. What do you think?
MOOCHER'S P.O.V.:
He's looking at Nancy. The new hairdo she's suggesting makes
her look lovely.
MOOCHER
Not bad.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF BLOOMINGTON - DAY 58-A
Mr. Blase is driving one of the "fanciest" cars off his lot.
(NOTE: AN OLD LINCOLN OR A CADDY WOULD BE JUST FINE.)
INT. CAR
Mr: Blase is dressed neatly. He's wearing a jacket and & .tie
although it's hot and he's sweating.
EXT. WOOLRIDGE QUARRY SHOP - DAY 58-B
Mr. Blase pulls into the parking lot and gets out. He looks
at the shop. The NOISE of MACHINERY is HEARD from the huge
building. The NOISE gets LOUDER as Mr. Blase walks toward
it, trying to avoid stepping into the Limestone dust with his
polished shoes, but the dust is everywhere.
EXT. SHOP ENTRANCE 58-C
Several CUTTERS are having lunch. They are eating heartily
right outside the shop. The NOISE is EVEN LOUDER but they
don't seem to be bothered by it. One of them looks.
CUTTER ONE
Well, look who's back.
He has to shout to be heard. The others look.
ANGLE ON MR. BLASE
He's glad to be back but he's also trying to keep a little
distance as if proud of how far he had come in life. He
smiles and waves grandly, his suit and tie sticking out in
this surrounding.
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 40
X
58-c Cont.
CUTTER ONE
Damn it you don't look like
one of them
Government Safety Inspectors.
CUTTER TWO
No, a Union Organizer.
They all laugh and get up to greet him. All except one
younger man who continues sitting and eating. The Cutters
slap Mr. Blase on the back, their dusty hands leaving dusty
imprints on his jacket.
CVITER THREE
We'll start you as an
apprentice again.
MR. BLASE
Like hell you will. I'm j us t
visiting. But if I wanted to
come back I could pick up where
I left off.
The entrance to the shop draws him forward. A couple of the
Cutters accompany him. He takes half of a sandwich from one
of them. It's lunch hour at the shop and the old instincts
are coming back.
YOUNG CUTTER
Who's he?
Mr. Blase looks back over his shoulder hurt by this remark.
I . SHOP DAY
The NOISE is now DEAFENING. Dust is everywhere and slowly
through the dust we see men working, pausing only long enough
to smile and wave at Mr. Blase. Mr. Blase is finishing off
his sandwich just like the Cutter next to him who walks to
his place leaving Mr. Blase, who has no place here, to wonder.
CUT TO:
TM MACHINERY
Huge blocks of stone are being cut by saws...moving back and
forth and back and forth in an almost hypnotic motion ...water
falling down to cool the blades.
CUT TO:
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 41
X_
58-C Cont.1
A HUGE WOODEN CHAIR
Mr. Blase's coat is draped over it.
CUT TO:
Mkt. BLASE
He's driving in wooden wedges into the cut block of limestone.
Water is falling on him.. A toothless old-timer is.grinning
at him. It's hard to tell which is sweat and which is water
on Mr. Blase's body.
CUT TO:
THE MACHINERY
Cranes are moving overhead. Huge blades are spinning huge
columns of limestone, chisels indenting grooves.
CUT TO:
MR. BLASE
He's borrowing a cigarette from a Cutter, lighting it. He's
tired and out of breath. The man moves on to do his work.
Mr, Blase smokes his cigarette looking on...in,love with this
place and yet out of place. A Man is shouting at him. He
can't hear. He finally hears him.
CURTER ONE
YOUR SON. HOW'S YOUR SON
DOING.
MR. BLASE
FINE. JUST FINE.
CUTTER ONE
THAT'S MINE OVER THERE.
A SHOT of the Cutter who didn't know Mr. Blase. Mr. Blase
sits down in the chair where his coat is draped. He has sat
in this chair before in the younger days. He feels the
notches in the armrest. He picks up a piece of limestone.
lying along the side of the chair and then he looks the place
over one more time.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 42
X
CLOSEUP DAVE 59
He's on a bike. We don't know where he is. It's raining
hard around him. The CAMERA PULLS BACK and we SEE that he's
riding the "rollers", a stationary device on which his bike
is placed. He's outside his house on the porch. He sees
Cyril running through the rain towards him. Cyril is wearing
a yellow,.. rubber rain cape and carrying a guitar.
FADE Tffi3OUGH TO:
60
INTO BLASE HOUSE - DAY
Mrs. Blase is mopping the kitchen floor. ENRICO GIMONDI
is singing in Dave's room. Cyril's GUITAR is HEARD.
Mrs. Blase pauses in her mopping. There is a look of romantic
yearning in her eyes.
INT.. DAVE' S ROOM - DAY 61
The phonograph is off. It's silent. Cyril, his tongue
between his teeth, is PLAYING a simple melody of one of
ENRICO GINIONDI'S songs. He's gloomy at the start, but gets
happier as he continues.
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's smiling too. He's wearing a hairnet.
DAVE
That's itt That's the song,
Cyril I recognize it.
CYRIL
Yeah. Damn right.
DAVE
Only you'll have to make it
louder. Real loud.
CYRIL
Don't you worry. I'll make
this catgut meow.
ANGLE ON THE CAT
It gets up and leaves.
EXT. BLASE HOUSE - EVENING 62
Mr. Blase has pulled in and is getting out of his car. It's
still raining, although not as hard. He runs to the house.
Opens the door and the cat runs out startling him a bit.
INT. BLASE HOUSE - CLOSEUP MR. BLASE - EVEMZING 63
He has stopped in his tracks and looks on stunned.
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/1&/78 43
63 Cont.
ANGLE ON MRS. BLASE
She has prettied herself up. A different hairdo. A nice
dress. Some nice makeup.
MR. BLASE
You...eh...you waxed the floor,
eh? Looks nice,
EXT. CAMPUS - EVENING 64
Dave and Cyril are riding double on the bike. Cyril carries
his guitar.
CUT TO:
INT. BLASE HOUSE - EVENING 65
Candles are lit on the kitchen table. Mr. and Mrs. Blase
are sitting facing each other. Mr. Blase picks up a carrot
stick and chomps on it. Mrs. Blase.chomps on hers.
Mr. Blase is so unsettled by the way his wife looks that he
almost seems to be enjoying the carrot stick.
MRS. BLASE
How about a little mus,.c?
CUT TO:
EXT. CHI-DELT SORORITY - NIGHT 66
Cyril is standing next to the building. He starts PLAYING
on his GUITAR. Dave is further out, standing in the parking
lot looking up at the windows,
DAVE
KA-TIE-RI-NA I
A few lights go on upstairs.
CUT TO:
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT , 67
Mrs. Blase is putting on the Enrico Gimonde album. A SHOT X
of the ALBUM COVER. Enrico looks out at us, smiling. SINGS.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHI DELT SORORITY - NIGHT 68 X
Cyril is playing the same song that Enrico is SINGING in X
Davets room. We see several Girls ;.n the window upstairs.
One of them is Katherine. Other girls are coming, crowding
behind her. Down below Dave is SINGING.
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAmBiNO" - 8/12/78 144
68 Cont.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's using every gesture of a Neapolitan serenader. Only
they don't seem artificial. He's in the spirit of the
moment.
CLOSEUP - EAT SE=INE
She feels obliged because of her girl friends to look upon
Dave's performance as something corny and silly, but slowly
her face is changing as she is charmed by the song. Her
girl friends hush behind her and they too look on as if
sorry they weren't the ones being serenaded. In the back
Suzy looks on too,
CLOSEUP - CYRIL
CYRIL
Play it, Cyril!
CUT TO:
INT. BLASE HOUSE 69
Mrs. Blase is standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She's
looking at Mr•. Blase. Enrico Gimonde is SINGING. X
Mr. Blase is holding a carrot in his hand. He seems ready
to bite it, but some other instinct moves within him and
despite himself, he gets up.
INTa, CHI-DELT SORORITY 70 X
Suzy is on a phone. We HEAR DAVE SINGING o.s.
SUZY-
Oh, his Rod. I was just
wondering if you knew that
there was a guy here with a
guitar serenading Bath.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE 7o-A
He's SINGING.
CLOSEUP - SATMMINE
She's 'completely won over. Behind her we once again see Suzy.
CUT TO:
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78. 44-A
INT. R. BLASE'S BEDROOM 71
Mrs. Blase is in bed. She takes the flower out of her hair
and places it on the other side of her. Mr. Blase is pulling
off his T-shirt. Enrico is SINGING. X
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT 72
Dave's cat is MEOWING.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF CAMPUS - NIGHT 73
Rod and several of his Frat Brothers are rushing out toward
Rod's Mercedes convertible.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHI-DELI SORORITY - CLOSEUP OF TEE WINDOW 74 x
The Girls are applauding. Katherine is not there.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Katherine is riding away on Dave's bike. Cyril looks on.
EXT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 75
The last light goes-out as Enrico Gimonde begins another x
SONG.
EXT. CHI-DELI SORORITY - NIGHT 76 x
Cyril is walking away out of the parking lot still strumming
his guitar. A car is coming up the street.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
ROD
That must be him. The
bastard.
He slams on the brakes.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Cyril stops strummming. He sees a bunch of guys rushing out
of the car toward him.
CYRIL
0oops. If I were a cartoon,
I'd go: HELP. And you'd see
my tonsils wiggling in the back.
He starts to run. Rod and his friends run after him.
567 FADE THROUGH TO:
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 44-B -
EXT. CHI-DELT SORORITY - NIGHT 77 X
Dave and Katherine have returned. She's just getting off
the bike,
KATHERINE
I have to go in.
DAVE
Buono notte, Katherina.
KATHERINE
I haven't ridden double since
I was a small girl and I've
never been serenaded. So, it
was a lovely evening.
'Molte grazia.'
She's a little embarrassed by her Italian and Dave, the pro,
gestures that it wasn't so bad. She leans over. They kiss.
OUT 78
EXx. BLOOMINGTON - CLOSEUP C.IL - DAY 79
His face is all bruised. He's drinking a bottle of Coke'
and walking. Mike, Cyril and Dave are with him. They are
crossing the railroad tracks.
MISS
He won't tell me who. did it.
CYRIL
It wax dark. All I can tell
you for sure is that they all
wore Brut aftershave and smelled
of Lavoris. X
MIKE
What were you doing there by
yourself.
Cyril and Dave exchange looks.
CYRIL
Just walking.
MIKE
h T at kind of car did they
drive?
CYRIL
It was this Mercedes convertible.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 44-c
79 Cont.
MIS
I've seen that car. All right.
They want to fight...wetll give
them a fight.
CYRIL
Chief Mike plenty brave...but
I say this: We rednecks are
few. Paleface college students
are many. I counsel peace.
Mike grabs him.
MT
C'mon. Let's find the bastard.
Cyril sees a trash can. He hooks shoots with the coke bottle.
It goes right in, and breaks. He smiles. X
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 80
Mike's car is moving through the campus. They're all looking
at the cars going by.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANOTHER PART OF THE CAMPUS 83.
Mike's car is parked next to a grassy field. They're all
watching cars going by. Cyril shakes his head. On the field
a bunch of College Kids are gathering for a game of football.
FAME THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON ME FOOTBALL GAME
The College Kids are laughing and playing.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - MIS
He's not looking at cars anymore.. He-'s looking at the game.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON THE FOOTBALL GAME
The game is over. It's getting dark. The College Kids are
splitting up into little groups and going home.
FADE THROUGH TO:
56 7
45
INT. MI IS CAR - DUSK 82
MIKE
I really thought I was a great
quarterback in high school. I
still think so. I can't even
bring myself to light a cigarette
'cause I keep thinking I should-
stay in shape. And you know what
gets me. Living here and reading
in the papers how some hotshot kid
is the new star on the college team.
Every year there'll be a new one and
it's never going to be me. I'll
just be Mike. Twenty-year-old Mike.
Thirty-year-old Mike. Old mean old
man Mike. But the college kids will
never get old...out of shape...'cause
new ones come every year. And they'll
keep calling us 'cutters.' To them
it's a dirty word but to me it'll
just be something else I never got
a chance to be.
He falls silent and sticks a cigarette in his mouth. His
genuine confession has caught everybody,. including himself,
off guard. The guys look at him with sympathy and under-
standing but Mike doesn't like that. He starts the car up.
DAVE
I...I have to go somewhere.
OUT 9-
E
EXT. CAMPUS - DUSK 87
Dave and Katherine are walking together.
KATHERINE
I've never been to Naples, but
it sounds lovely.
DAVE
Oh, Napoli. Si, signorina. So
beautiful. We live by the sea.
My Papa, he has a boat...a fisherman.
-_My Mama, she has ten bambini...and
I am eleven. And when I left for
America, they all cry big tears...
tears big like figs...
Ka4:herine takes out a little book from her bag.
Cont.
567
46
87 Cont.
KATHBRIPIE
Look what I bought. I figured
I might as well learn a little.
She's holding the exact Italian Phrase Book that Dave has.
Dave gestures that the book is no good. '
DAVE
You never learn Italian from
book. I know that book. No
good.
, They head toward the Union.
INT. ROD'S MERCEDES - DUSK 88
Rod is with a different GIRL. They are driving through the
campus.
ROD
You haven't pledged any
sorority yet?
GIRL
No.
ROD
You should. Most frat guys
won't go out with dormies.
I'm the exception.
GIRL
You're on the swimming team,
eh?
ROD
Yep. Breaststroke.
He gives her his cool, full of hints, smile.
EXT. CAMPUS - DUSK 89
Rod's car is going one way. Approaching him from the other
direction we see Mike's car.
INT. MIKE'S CAR - DUSK
Mike spots the Mercedes. As it's about to go past him Mike
shifts his car in reverse and winds up going backwards
parallel to Rod's car. Rod is looking at him. Mike is
looking at him.
Is that him?
567
Cont.
REVISEn - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 47
89 Cont.
CYRIL
I guess.
Mike shifts the car into first and waits for an opening to
make a U-turn.
INT. ROD'S CAR - DUSK
GIRL
Who were they?
ROD
A bunch of cutters.
GIRL
What are cutters? X
ROD X
Townies.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON MITTS CAR 89-A
He finds a gap in the traffic and makes a U-turn.
EXT. STUDENT UNION - DUSK
Rod pulling in. Stops. Reaches over casually but
deliberately and opens the door for the Girl.
INT. STUDENT UNION - NIGHT 91
The Student Union is a large L-shaped affair. Music is
playing.- A few people are dancing. The-rest are seated
at tables. The place is packed -- at least In the long
part - of the L. In the short part of the L, away from-all-
this., and'-out of view of the hordes, are a few other people.
There we see Dave and Katherine. A WAITER is coming up to
them.
CLOSEUP - DAVE AND KATMRXNE
DAVE
Due capuccino, por favors. x
The Waiter grunts.
X
EXT. STUDENT UNION - NIGHT 92
Mike's car is parked next to the Mercedes. The guys are
looking at the car and then looking at the forbidding entrance
to the Student Union.
567 Cont.
R W
92 Cont.
CYRIL
We can't go in there.
MIE
Oh yeah! Watch this.
All three of them start up the long stairway leading to the
fortress-like Union.
INT. STUDENT UNION - NIGHT 93
Rod and his Girl are looking for a place to sit. Seeing no
empty spots in the area they head toward the area where Dave
and Katherine are sitting. Just as they're about to turn the
corner and probably see them somebody gets up and Rod takes
the table.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE AND KAT HEBINE 93-A
They are drinking their coffee.
KATHERINE
It's kind of nice to hear of
somebody who misses his parents.
DAVE €¢
Certo, I miss. Just like you
miss your Mama and Papa.
I hardly miss them. I went as
far as I could to get away from
them.
DAVE
Ah, but they miss you, eh? At
home they sit and look at your.
picture: Ah, they are saying,
how we miss our Katherina, our
bambina...
Katherine is near tears. The homelife Dave's describing is
obviously not hers. Not wanting to cry she takes out a
cigarette and a lighter and Dave, being a continental
gentleman, takes the lighter from her. He doesn't know what
to make of it. He fiddles with it and then strikes and a
huge jet of flame shoots out. Dave-is frightened. He lets
go of the button, but the lighter is stuck and the flame is
still burning., He blows'on it. He shakes it. Katherine
starts laughing. Finally, in desperation Dave pours coffee
on the lighter and it goes out.
Cont.
567
49
93-A Cont.
DAVE
You shouldn't smoke.. I go
bring more coffee.
He takes the cups toward the self-service cafeteria line.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON MIKE, MOOCHER AND CYRIL 94
They are standing in the Uhion wondering where to go. They
look lost and intimidated but trying to look tough. Dave
appears in their field of vision at the end of the cafeteria
line but they are looking elsewhere.. Just as they seem to
turn and see him Mike spots a tall BLOND GUY, very much
like Rod, going into the bowling alley.
There he is.
Our trio heads for the bowling alley.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE CAFETERIA LINE 95
Dave is standing directly behind Rod. In front of Rod are
several hero-worshipping Guys listening to Rod.
ROD
The only way to train for
bike racing is what we do in
swi g : Interval training.
DAVE
The Germans... . they use interval
training and the Italians... they
don't. The Italians... they beat
the pants off Germans.
Dave thinks this is funny and laughs. Rod turns around and
gives him a scornful look. Dave recognizes-him. Rod doesn't
recognize Dave.
CUT TO:
INT. THE BOWLING ALLEY 96
Mike, Cyril and Moocher are standing behind the Blond Guy
they followed. Cyril is goofing around with a bowling ball.
He sticks his finger in the hole. The Blond Guy turns
around. He sees the three guys staring at him.
BLOND
(VERY GAY)
567 Hi there, want to roll some balls?
CUT TO:
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8 12/78 50
OUT 97 X
INT. STUDENT UNION CORRIDOR 98
Mike, Moocher and Cyril are leaving the bowling alley.
Cyril is trying to hide the ball he's carrying. His finger
is stuck in the hole.
CYRIL
I can't get it out.
College rids are looking at them. It's obvious who they are.
Mike is leading. the way but even he's feeling out of place.
CYRIL
My finger can't breathe[
As some busty Coeds go past him:
CYRIL
Hi, what's your major?
They enter the long part of the L-shaped room.
MIRE
Looks like he left.
The trio starts heading toward the revolving door. They pass
Rod's GIRL. She's sitting alone. Cyril stops.
CYRIL
And what's your major?
GIRL
Sash.
Rod shows up carring a tray of drinks. Cyril looks up.
Mike sees him. It's clear he wishes he didn't. Moocher
resigns himself to the inevitable. Starts wrapping a
handkerchief around his fist. Cyril is cringing.
Cont.
567
51
98 Cont.
CYRIL
That's a nice major...Sosh.
ROD
What're you cutters doing here?
Did you get lost.
No.
ROD
Then why don't you get lost now.
CYRIL
Oops. I feel like that cartoon
again.
A bunch of Rod's cronies sitting nearby-laughs. They crowd
in around the cutters. Cyril and Moocher look at Mike for
guidance. Mike is on the spot. It's not that he's afraid
of a fight, it's just that he's on a foreign turf.
MIIE
Is,..is that him, Cyril?
Cyril gets the cue.-
CYRIL
I...I don't think so.
MOOCHER
Let's get out of here.
ROD
Smart move, shorty.
This is all Moocher needs. He hits Rod right in the tray
Spilling the drinks all over him. Rod falls back knocking
the table down. His friends jump up to his aid. Our guys
are surrounded. The only opening is the cafeteria line.
Mike is hit and falls back knocking down a tail row of plates,
saucers, cups. Cyril is swinging the bowling ball around
himself for protection. More rows of plates fall as the
ball hits-them. The College Guys, led by Rod are trying to
advance but our guys are throwing plates and maybe even food
at them. The College Guys are throwing back what they can.
Cyril's ball flies off and hits somebody in the stomach.
By now its a free-for-all.
CUT TO:
Cont.
567
52
98 Cont.1
ANGLE ON DAVE AND KATHERINE
They are all alone now. Everybody on their side has left
to see the fight. They get up too to have a look.
CUT TO:
DAVE'S P.O.V.
He sees his friends surrounded and battling back. He wants
to help but Katherine is right there.
KATHERINE'S P.O.V.
She sees Rod.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The fight is going at full blast.
KATHERINE
What's going on.
GIRL
Just some cutters making trouble.,
Dave'-is stung by this remark. He plows into the fight.
Katherine grabs rim and tries to pull him away. She can
not tell which side he is on. Through the revolving doors
the Campus Police arrive'led by Mike's brother.
KATHERINE
We go now.
Katherine takes Dave by the Arm.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE CAMPUS POLICE
They are breaking up the fight. Mike's brother looks
angrily at Mike and the guys as he pulls Rod away.
ROD
The cutters started itt
CLOSEUP - MIKE'S BROTHER
His anger changes direction as he looks back at Rod.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 53
ESTABLISHING SHOT - THE DOOR OF THE PRESIDENT OF 99
THE UNIVERSITY
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - CLOSEUP - ROD - DAY
He's well-dressed. Jacket and tie. The CAMERA PULLS BACK.
A dozen other student "leaders" are there. One of them is
black. The PRESIDENT is at his desk. On his far right we
see Mike's brother sitting alone.
PRESIDENT
Most of you will only spend four
years here but to a lot of us
Bloomington is our home and .1
don't like the way you are behaving
in my home. These needless
hostilities have happened before.
They will not happen again. If
you feel compelled to compete with
the kids from the town then you
will do it in a different arena.
I am looking at a plan to open
our intramural program to them.
And as a starting point, in
consultation with Mr. Armstrong,
we have decided to expand the
field of this year's Little 500
to include a team from the town.
A loud protest is heard from everybody.
ROD -
But, sir, they're not good enough...
Having them in the race...
BLACK GUY
(INTERRUPTS)
The whole thing reeks of
tokenism.
Everybody, even Rod, looks at him. It's sort of like: What
are you talking about.
EXT. DAVE'S HOUSE - DAY 100
Dave is on the bike. Cyril is walking.
CYRIL
The funniest part is that
tough-guy Mike didn't get a
punch in. You should've
been there.
DAVE
I have to go. x
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 54
X
100 Cont.
CYRIL
Are you going to see Katherine.,
DAVE
I...I have to go train. The
Italians will be here soon. CtA.o,
Cyril'. -
He rides away.
EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY - 101
Moocher and Nancy are standing outside. Moocher is fishing
through his pockets for money.
NANCY
I'll pay for it.
MOOCHER
What do you mean...I've got money.
NANCY
We can go Dutch.
MOOCHER
On a-marriage licenses
NANCY
You know what?
What?
NANCY
I'm scared.
(GIGGLES)
But I like it.
Dave rides past them.
DAVE!S P.O.V.:
He looks at them just as they goinside.
EXT. INTERSECTION - DAY - 102
Dave is riding. The light is turning yellow. He speeds up
to make the light. A car going at a right angle to him has
to come'to a screeching halt to avoid hitting him. It's
Mr. Blase with a CUSTOMER and his Family. The car stalls.
Dave looks back over his shoulder. Sees his father and waves.
Cont.
5 67
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 55
102 Cont.
INT. MR. BLASE'S CAR
He's beginning to cringe, but tries to be confident. He
tries to start the car up. He's blocking traffic and horns
are blowing. The car won't start.
MR. BLASE
Oh, damn. You know what? I put
premium gas in this baby by
mistake. It hates expensive.gas.
He tries to laugh about this, but nobody in the car is
.buying the story.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - CLOSE UP - A CAMPUS TOWING 103
TRUCK - DAY
The CAMERA MOVES BACK and we SEE Mr. Blase and the Family
sitting in the car getting towed.
INT. MR. BIASE'S CAR
Mr. Blase is draped over the wheel, his head down. The kids
are crying.
MR. YORK
Will you please stop crying. The
car didn't really die. It's just
an expression.
INT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 104
Mr. Blase is shaking with hostility. He's trying to drink
a glass of milk but it's spilling.
MR. BLASE
I should have hit him when I had
my chance.' He'd be dead now. No
more worries.
MRS. BLASE
I'll talk to him, dear. I'll tell
him he'll either have to get a job
or go to college.
MR. BLASE
Collegel So he can thumb his
diploma at me.
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT 105
He's lying on the bed exhausted but listening.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" 8/12/78 56
105 Cont.
MRS. BLASE
(o.s.)
Dave's never thumbed anything at
anybody.
MR. BLASE
(o.s.)
That's because he hasn't been to
collegeI Besides he's probably
too stupid to get in.
MRS. BLASE
(o.s .)
Don't say that. He'll hear you.
MR. BLASE
I don't care. It's my house. He' X
doesn't understand English anyway.
MRS. BLASE
I'm sure he'll find a job somewhere. x
R M . . -BLASE
He couldn't get a job to save'his x
life. He's worthless, Evelyn.
I could die of shame everytime I'
see him, goddamn lazy freeloader..
OUT 106-
LOG
EXT. QUARRIES - DAY 110
Similar SHOT as the opening of the film. Voices and laughter
O.s.
MED. SHOT
Rod, Katherine, Rod's teammates and their Girls are walking
through-the quarries.
ROD
I discovered this place. It's
really something. Wait 'til you
see it.
X
EXT. QUARRY HOLE - DAY 111
Mike, Cyril, Moocher and Dave are sitting on the rocks above
the water. The mood is quite different from the last time
they were here. There is physical and emotional distance
between them.
And why not?
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 57
X
Ill Cont.
DAVE,
I Just...eh...don 't want to be in
the Little 500.
MIKE
Christ, I thought youtd Jump at
the chance.
DAVE
Well, I Just...
He'looks at Cyril. Cyril knows why he doesn't want to be in
it.
DAVE
Don't want to be seen with all
those College Kids.
MIKE
That's the whole point.. They all
be there we can beat those
shitheads in front of everybody.
MOOT;8ER
It takes four guys to have a team.
MIRE
We-got four. We all enter just to
get in and Dave rides the whole
thing and we win.
DAVE
Sure...it's just that...eh...I'll
be working that day.
WORKING I
Dave has said it and now feels he has to stick with it.
DAVE
Yes, I'm getting a job.
MIKE
By yourself.
DAVE
Yeah, I need the money.
MIKE
Oh, that's just great. You're a
real pal, Dave.
MOOCHER
567 Look, the time comes when we all...
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBIRO" 8/12/78 57-A
X
111 Cont.l
MIKE
- '(interrupts) ,
I wasn't talking to you.
MOOCHER
I don't give a damn. You're not,
a quarterback here, you know.
MIKE
At least I was once( Which is one
helluva lot. better' than being a
midget all my life.
Moocher is stung by the remark. But he controls his normal
reaction with difficulty.
DAVE
Hey, c'mon.
Cyril is very upset by all this. He's starting to cry.
DAVE
Hey, bambini, the Cosa, eh?
MIKE
Just drop that Italian shit, eh?
I'm so sick of that shit.
A pall falls over the group. Moocher and Cyril feel bad'for
Dave.. Dave's smile vanishes. He feels a little foolish
himelf. Mike is almost sorry he said what he did but having
said it he feels compelled to continue.
MIKE
Driving you to bike races. What the
hell am I your private chauffeur or
something. I don't ever remember-
you paying.for the gas. Sure, it's
fun to win. Get all the glory for
yourself but when it comes time to
do something for the rest of us...
Shit. I think you're just afraid
of those college guys.
And you're not?
MIKE
The only thing I'm afraid of is
wasting the rest of my life with
you guys.
CYRIL
(THROUGH TEARS)
I thought that was the plan. We'd
waste the rest of our lives
together.
567
Cont.
QED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16 ,_ 58
X
111 Cont.l
Mike stands up. He's ready to walk away. He pauses
suddenly... On the other side of the quarry he sees Rod
and his group. Dave sees Katherine and without making it
obvious to the others leans back behind a rock.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Mike is looking at Rod. Rod sees him and just stands there.
His friends, Katherine included, seem to be trying to get
him to leave. But he doesn't. Mike feels the eyes of his
gang on him. He gestures to Rod to come in the water. Mike
runs up his rock and dives in. Rod dives off his side.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The two of them are swimming toward each other.
CLOSEUP - THE CUTTERS
CYRIL
They're going to race.
DAVE
What the hell's he doing.
That guy...
Cont.
567
59
'Ill Cont.1
CLOSEUP - ROD AND MI1
They are side-by-side. Rod is smiling. Mike takes off
toward one end of the quarry swimming as fast as he can.
Rod lets him go. Looks up at his friends and takes off
after hiu. Mike is splashing clumsily but going as hard
as he can. Rod is smooth and powerful. He catches up to
Mike. He changes from breaststroke to backstroke. It's
all so easy for him.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's staying out of sight of Katherine. He's feeling quite
badly for having to hide.
CLOSEUP - THE RACE
Rod has reached the "all of the quarry and is waiting. Mike
reaches the wal?...a:rhausted and starts back again. Rod
seems amused. He thc,3ght the race was over. He takes off
after Mike imitating the way Mike is swimming. His friends
laugh.
CZ,OSEUP - THE Cb i-x S
All three of our guys are feeling badly for Mike.
CLOSEUP - THE RACE
Once again Rod is waiting by the wall. Mike shows up. He
can't see the edge. He hits .t with his head and starts
bleeding. But he pushes off and starts going back again.
Even Rod is getting to feel a little bad.
CLOSEUP - THE CUTTERS
OCHER
How long is he going to keep
going?
CYRIL
Not much longer. There won't
be an water left the way he's
splashing.
ON THE RACE
Mike seems to be half-drowning. He can't see where he's
going. He's no longer swimming in a straight line. His head
is bleeding and he's running into the edges of the quarry.
Hitting them with his hands. His hands are bleeding too.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" $ 2 60
111 Cont.2
But he continues, splashing pathetically and yet defiantly
through the water.
CLOSEUP - ROD
He's no longer swimming. He's quite perplexed that Mike
keeps going. Isn't it clear he lost?
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON ROD AND HIS GROUP
They are leaving the quarry.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He watches Katherine disappear. He's angry with himself.
He jumps out of his hiding place into the water.
CLOSEUP - MIS
He's swimming in a total daze. Blood is dripping down his
face. Dave is swimming toward him. Moocher and Cyril are
behind Dave.
Mike's arms go around Dave's neck. He's smiling a little
through his pain. As he relaxes he lets his weight-sink
on Dave and Dave sinks under water.
OUT 112-
114
INT. NICK'S BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT 115
Mr. Blase is sitting at the bar.
MR. BLASE
One, more. And make it a double.
NANCY
Haven't you had enough, Mr. Blase?
MR. BLASE
I've had enough'of your lips
that's for sure. I said I want
a double and I want a double
'on the double.'
Nancy looks at the OWNER of the place. He nods to her to do
as he says. Nancy then goes and picks up the phone. X
Dials.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMNO" - 8/25/78
NANCY
Mrs. Stohler. This is Nancy
down at Nick's. I think you
better come down.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON MRS. BLASE
She is rushing in through the door of the Bar and-Grill.
Mr. Blase is still at the counter. Nancy greets her as
she comes in.
MRS. BLASE
Now much did he have?
NANCY
Well, he started off with a
single order of French fries.
Then he had some onion rings.
And then he ordered a double
order of each. Right now he's
on a cheeseburger deluxe.
She's heard-enough. She rushes to Mr. Blase.
MRS. BLASE
C'mon dear. You've had enough.
Mr. Blase has a mouthful. He speaks through it.
MR. BLASE
Leave me alone.
MRS. BLASE
Oh, you've got catsup all over
your shirt. C'mon. Let's go
home .
EST. BL OMINGTON - NIGHT 116
Mr. and Mrs. Blase are walk.
MR. BLASE
I'm just tired of it, Evelyn.
It= tired of worrying about him.
Who'd hire a guy like that? He'll
wind up a bum.. An Italian bum.
MRS. BLASE
You could use some help. What
if you gave 'him a job?
Cont.
567
REVISED -"BAMBINO" -_8112/78 62
S
116 Cont.
MR. BLASE
I don't want him selling used
cars.
MRS. BLASE
Why not? If it's good enough
for you...
MR. BLASE
Who says it's good enough for me?
MRS. BLASE
You do.
MR. BLASE
Damn right it's good enough for
me. But...I don't need help.
Besides...he'd ruin me if I hired
him. A weirdo like that...
It's clear that Mr. Blase has higher hopes for Dave which he
has difficulty admitting even to himself.
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT 117
Dave is sitting in his room and looking around.' The room
looks empty and lonely. 'Dave is looking at-his
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine.
CLOSEUP - THE PICTURE OF THE ITALIAN TEAM
We see four smiling riders with their arms around each other.
There's a caption underneath the picture: TEAM CINZANO TO RACE
INDIANAPOLIS.
A car is heard pulling up into the drive. Dave looks up.
INT.- BLAU KITCHEN - NIGHT 118
Mr. and Mrs. Blase are walking in. Dave is waiting for
them.
MR. BLASE
I want to talk to youl
DAVE
Yes, Papa. I want to talk to you too.
MR. BLASE
You know what you're going to dol
DAVE
I'm going to get a job.
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" --8112/78 63
X
118 Cont.•
This was the very thing that Mr. Blase wanted to say. He
feels robbed of not getting'a chance to say it.
MRS . ,BLASE
You see.
MR. BLASE
I see nothing. Where're you
going to get a job.
DAVE
This-car-.wash place is still
hiring.
MR. BLASE
Car wash! Car washl You should've
died when you had the German Measles.
No son of mine is going to wash cars.
EIS. MR. BLA.SE'S CAR LOT - DAY 119
Dave is washing one of Mr. Blase's cars on the lot. He's
whistling a Neapolitan song as he does. Mr. Blase looks on.
He's unhappy to see Dave there. And he's unhappy because
Dave seems happy.
MR. BLASE
,Hey, no whistling. You're a
shag boy, so- shag. If I wanted
whistling, I'd get a bird.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's washing cars. He stops whistling and washes eagerly.
The-sun's reflected in the car's windows.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON, DAVE 119-A
washing another car., In the windows we see a reflection of
Mr. Blase's neon signs. It's evening. Mr. Blase shuts the
sign off.
M R . BLASE
How're you feeling?
DAVE
Tired, Papa.
Cant.
56 7
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12t78 64
X
119-A Cont.
MR. BLASE
Exhausted?
DAVE
Yes.
MR. BLASE
Good. You might as well get used
to it. From now on it's more of the
same. Let's go home.
DAVE
I have to train.
EXT. BLOOMINGTON - NIGHT 120
Dave is riding his bike. A car comes toward him with its
headlights on and as they go past him:
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE AT WORK 121
He's scrubbing a hubcap. We see his face reflected in it.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE TRAINING - NIGHT 122
Once again as the approaching car lights go past him we:
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE AT WORK 123
He's waxing a car. He sees Mike, Cyril and Moocher driving
past in theirs, waving at him. He waves back. We FOLLOW the
car as it disappears and then:
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE AT WORK
He's hc3ing down a car. A group of Fraternity Guys go past
the lot on their bikes. Rod's at the head. They're all
wearing Little 500'T-shirts. Dave looks after them.
CUT TO:
EXT. BLASE CAR LOT - DAY 124
It's raining. Mr. Blase is standing in the doorway of his
office looking out. Dave is riding the "rollers" and eating
his lunch. There's nowhere to hide from the rain so he's
getting wet. He looks tired. He's thinking of the Italians.
As he turns his legs we see: THE PICTURE OF THE ITALIANS
FROM THE COMPETITIVE CYCLING MAGAZINE: FOUR OF THEM, ARMS
AROUND EACH OTHER, SMILING. Then we see another picture,
Dave is in the middle of the Italians. He has his arms
around them. He's smiling just like they are.
Cont.
567
65
124 Cont.
CLOSEUP - DAVE ON.TEE ROLLERS
He's smiling at the image he sees. His eyes are closing.
He loses his balance and falls off the rollers on the ground.
(The above sequences should be accompanied by music from
Dave's Italian recordings. The music stops when he falls
off.)
T. CAMPUS CAFE - NIGHT 125
Dave and Katherine are having coffee. Dave looks exhausted.
He's ready to fall asleep.
KATHERINE
Are you all right?
DAVE
Si...T. just study too hard.
I have big exam tomorrow.
KATHERINE
Are you going back to Italy
in the sunmter ?
DAVE
Si,..My papa needs help.
KATHERINE
Well, I called up my parents.
I'm getting a graduation present.
We can go to Italy together.
Dave suddenly seems to wake up.
DAVE €¢
Maybe I have to go to summer
school.
EXT. MR. BLASE 'S CAR LOT - DAY 126
DAVE
Papa...can I have this Saturday
off?
MR. BLASE
Hell no.
DAVE
Just this once. You see the
Italians are coming Saturday.
Cont.
567
66
126 Cont.
MR. BLASE
I don't care if the second
coming's coming.
DAVE
But I've waited so long.
MR. BLASE
No. N-double 'o' NO-0.
(LOOKS)
Oh.
MR. BLASE'S P.O.V.
We see one of Mr. Blase1s cars. The Homecoming Queen. A
bunch of College Kids are pushing it into the lot.
MR. BLASE
You stay out of this.
OUT 2 -
1 7 7
1 2 8
FADE TEROUGH TO:
EXT. MR. BLASE CAR LOT - DAY 129
Mr. Blase is standing in front of the Homecoming Queen.- He's
got his hands on the hood and is pushing. The KID who
bought it is at the other end with his friends. They are
pushing the other way.
MR. BLASE
What guarantee?
SZD
You gave me your word.
MR. BLASE
On paper? Can I see it on
paper?
KID
There was no paper. You gave
me your word.
MR. BLASE
I don't remember giving my word.
(pushes on the car)
Now get this car out of here.
Dave appears next to him.
Cont.
567
67
129 Cont.
DAVE
You did, Papa. You gave him
your word. I heard you. We
are poor, but we're honest.
Mr. Blase is stunned.
MR. BLASE
What? Who're you?
He starts to push real hard.
KID
All I want is a refund.
MR. BLASE
REFUNDI REFUNDL
(REALLY STARTS
PUSHING HARD)
Are you crazy? Refundl
He's getting very red in the face. Hess pushing for all he's
worth. The Kids are pushing the other way. Mr. Blase
becomes a fanatic. His veins are swelling on his neck. The
world becomes'all blurred through his eyes, but he pushes.
MR. BLASE
RE-FUNDL RE-FUNDL
Suddenly the world starts to spin for him. He clutches his
chest. He's ready to fall backwards, but with the last gasp
of willpower, he gets himself to collapse forward on top of
the hood.
INT. MR'. BLASE' S BEDROOM - DAY 130
A DOCTOR is listening to his heart with a stethoscope.
Mr. Blase is in a coma of sorts. He's muttering something.
It sounds very much like "Refund...no refund." The Doctor
prepares an injection.
CUT TO:
INT. THE KITCHEN 131
Mrs. Blase and Dave are sitting at the table. The Doctor
comes out of the bedroom. Dave and Mrs. Blase stand up.
DOCTOR
Well, it's not a stroke, and
he won't croak, as we say.
Cont.
56 7
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 68
X
131 Cont.
DOCTOR (Cont.)
(laughs at his own
epigram, and lights
A CIGARETTE)
Seriously, Evelyn. He's in
terrible shape. He's a Mack
truck with Rabbit engine.
Once he's up on his feet he
better start using them...
walking... exercising... something.
Otherwise it's taps city for
him. Well, I got to go.
He exits. Dave looks guilty.
DAVE
I ruined everything.
MRS. BLASE
No, you didn't. He needed a
rest and now he's getting one.
DAVE
I don't think I'll go to the
race. I should be here when
Papa wakes up.
1 RS . BLASE
No, I don't think you should.
Here, did I ever show you this.
She takes a passport out of her purse on the table.
DAVE
It's a passport.
MRS. BLASE
They're quite cheap, you know.
A real bargain. I eep carrying
it with me. One of these days
there'll be a new girl at the
IGA and when I want to cash a
check she'll ask me for some
Indentification and I'll take
out my passport and say: Here.
Won't that be something.
Dave is moved by this gesture: By the spirit of yearning for
travel that it implies and by the knowledge that she will
probably not go anywhere.
DAVE
Oh, Mama...
Cont.
REVISED "BAMBINO" - 8/12 68-A
%
131 Cont.l
But she will not let him give her any sympathy.
MRS. BLASE
So,"I think you should go. You
should come 'home singing with a
trophy. You should do all that.
while you can.
DAVE
I win this one for you, Mama.
MRS. BLASE
Now that would be nice.
EXT. ROAD - DAY 132
We see Mike's car with Dave's bike on top.
EXT. STARTING LINE - CLOSEUP - THE ITALIAN TEAM 133
DAY
They'are posing Just like in the picture. People are taking
pictures of them. They smile and wave making sure not to
obscure the "Cinzano" on their jersies as they do.
Cont.
567
69
133 Cont.
ANNOUNCER
We are proud to have with us
today the famous Team Cinzano
from Italy. They are touring
America and so far are undefeated.
Later on they have been kind
enough to agree to hold a racing
clinic which none of you should
miss.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's in the crowd of other racers and like all of them, his
eyes are glued on the Italians.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Dave is putting a banana and an apple in the back pocket of
his Jersey. Other riders are doing likewise. Almost all
of them are taking bananas.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s. )
Everybody please move to the
starting Line.
A MONTAGE OF LEGS
We see all kinds of legs. Some are milky white. Others are
tanned. Some are long and skinny. Others short and bulging
with muscles.
MONTAGE OF POSTERIORS
One after another, we see, the riders' rears meet the saddles
of their bicycles.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's in the middle of the pack. He looks over his shoulder
and waves to Mike, Cyril and Moocher on the sideline.
CLOSEUP - THE ITALIANS
They are in the front. They are looking straight ahead.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s. )
Riders ready[ Timers ready!
A gun is fired. The Italians take off.
Cont.
567
70
133 Cont.1
ANOTHER ANGLE
We see the pack from the back as it moves forward slowly and
then faster, and faster, the riders in the back working their
way up.
LONG SHOT
The huge pack of riders is now disappearing around a bend in
the road.
TRUCKING SHOT 134
We PICK UP the last rider in the field and MOVE PAST him.
There are stragglers already: individuals and little groups,
and then a large group. We MOVE PAST them TOWARD:
ANGLE ON THE LEAD GROUP
The Italians, Dave and half a dozen other riders are in the
lead group. They are separated from the rest by about half
a mile. Some riders in the group are eating their bananas.
Others are drinking water. They are approaching a hill. The
Italians shift their gears and like clockwork the rest of the
riders do the same. The Italians start sprinting up the hill
The others pursue. Strain is showing on everybody.
LONG SHOT
We see the pack climbing the hill.
ANGLE ON CREST OF THE HILL
The Italians appear first.. They look back over their
shoulders and see nobody there. They nod to each other and
continue over the crest, shifting into a higher gear for the
descent. Dave and three riders appear over the crest. Dave
is in the lead. As he goes over the crest, he shifts gears
and starts to sprint. The other riders cannot match him.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON ITALIANS
They are bent over their frames in their descent positions.
Their knees and elbows are tucked in and they are coasting
down the hill.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's in the similar position only he's not coasting. He's
pumping as hard as he can.
567 CUT TO:
Cont.
71
134 Cont.
ANGLE ON THE ITALIANS
They are still in their descent. The hill is steep and they
are going very fast. Suddenly, Dave, bent over and breathing
hard appears in the FRAME. He tries to appear that he's not
tired. He smiles.
DAVE
Buon giorno. Come sta?
The Italians look stunned. The 1ST ITALIAN is annoyed. The
ZTH ITALIAN seems amused.
CUT TO:
FRONT SHOT - THE FLATS 135
The Italians are riding hard. The effort is showing on their
faces. Dave is behind them. He too is tired. But when the
1st Italian looks back to see how Dave is doing Dave manages
to smile. This seems to "psyche" the lst Italian out. He
gestures angrily to Dave to take his turn up front. Dave is
thrilled at the command. He moves to the front. The
following conversations will have to be subtitled.
DAVE
Oggi fa caldo, none vero?
(It's hot today isn't it?)
1ST ITALIAN
Roba da chiodi]
(You don't say])
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE "PULLING"
He's up front breaking wind for the others. He's working
hard and he's tired. The Italians behind him are likewise.
Dave swings off to let another rider pull in front. As he
does Dave once again smiles. He doesn't do this to fool
them. He's just thrilled to be in their company.
DAVE
'Cho tempo Para piovera?
(Do you think it'll rain?)
1ST ITALIAN
FILAREI
(SCRAM] )
The nth Italian tries to calm him down.
Cant.
567
72
135 Cont.
4TH ITALIAN
Not to la prenderel
(Don't get yourself worked up!)
But the lst Italian is upset. He wants to drop Dave. But
he doesn't want to kill himself doing it. He's thinking.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON THE HILL 136
The Italians are switching off as they begin another ascent.
It's Dave's turn to take the lead. As he goes up front the
1st Italian reaches in and pushes Dave's lever all the way
forward. This suddenly shifts Dave into a very high gear.
He can hardly turn the cranks. The 1st Italian smiles at him.
1ST ITALIAN
MI SCUSII
(Excuse me!)
He takes off. The other three follow him while Dave fumbles
around to get back in the right gear.
FADE THROUGH TO:
CLOSEUP - THE 1ST ITALIAN
He does not look happy. The CAMERA MOVES BACK and we SEE
Dave at the front again.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's getting a little more serious. He sees a huge pothole
in front of him. He rides right toward it and then at the
last second he jerks his bike aside. The 1st Italian goes
right over the pothole. He's jarred and angry. Dave looks
back. Smiles.
DAVE
Mi scusi!
The 4th Italian appreciates this little reversal. The
lst Italian is getting a brutal look in his face.
OUT 137
FADE THROUGH TO:
567
73
138
ANGLE ON THE FLATS
All five of them are continually taking turns being up front.
They are approaching a small hill. The lst Italian points
to the hill. Dave is too exhausted now to fake any smiles.
The pace is as hard as it's been.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON THE CREST OF THE HILL 139
Dave is up front.
Behind him we see the 2ND ITALIAN taking out his pump. Dave
pulls off to let him take the lead but as he does the
lst Italian pulls up behind him to block his way back. The
3RD ITALIAN sprints up front to block his way forward. Dave
is trapped. The 3rd Italian puts on his brakes. Dave puts
on his to avoid running into him. As his speed slows down
the 2nd Italian sticks his pump into Dave's rear wheel. Dave
sees all this. In the split second that it takes, he sees
it all. His wheel collapses and Dave tumbles off the road
falling down the steep grade. The Italians ride off. The
4th Italian slows down a little to look at Dave. He seems
genuinely sorry about what happened but he too continues.
He shouts after his teammates. He's a little angry.
4TH ITALIAN
..Bravo[ Bravo[ Bella robal
(Congratulations[ Nice work[)
CLOSEUP - DAVE
His left leg is hurt but more than that his dream seems
shattered.
EXT. RACE FINISH 140
The tour Italians are sprinting toward the finish line. A
large "FINISH" sign flutters in the breeze. The 4th Italian
wins and as he does he turns and fives the "Italian finger"
to his three buddies. He's still angry at them. Cyril,
Mike and Moocher look for Dave. The crowd is cheering.
EXT. ROAD - DAY 140-A
All the guys are riding in silence. Dave is crushed by his
shattered Italian dream. Mendelsohn's Italian Symphony is
playing: the second movement. They drive past the finish
line of the race. The big cloth sign "FINISH" is still up
fluttering in the wind. A man is taking it down. Everybody
else is gone. Dave looks on heartbroken.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 74
X
140-A Cant.
CYRIL
I feel like one of those dwarfs
...you know...when they think
that Snow White's dead.
Mike turns to Dave.
MISS
So I guess you're just a cutter
.again like the rest of us.
DAVE
I guess.
EXT. MOOCHER'S HOUSE - DAY 141
Mike's car stops and lets Moocher out. Car.drives o.a.
Moocher is walking toward his house. He stops.
MOOCHER'S P.O.Y.
He sees a.big "SOLD" sign tacked over the FOR SALE sign.
INT. BLASE HOUSE - DAY 142
Mr. and Mrs. Blase are sitting in the kitchen.
MR. BLASE
No, I don't feel lucky to be
alive. I feel lucky I'm not
dead. There's a difference.
The door opens and Dave limps inside. He looks terrible.
Blood is still caked up on his left leg.
MRS. BLASE
What happened to you?
It's nothing. How''re you
feeling, Dad?
Mr. Blase can't believe he's being called "Dad."
MR. BLASE
Dad. I'll tell you how I'm feeling.
I've had nightmares all night that
everybody I ever sold a car to is
going to come in and ask for a
refund. And you'll be there
handing out the checks. One for
you...and one for you...
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 75
142 Cont.
DAVE €¢
I'm sorry I gave him back his
money. I really am. Everybody
cheats, Dad. I just didn't know.
Mr. Blase is a little taken aback by this..' He doesn't feel
quite right about it. Re's a tiny bit ashamed.
MR. BLASE
Well, now you know. So, where's
the trophy?
DAVE
Oh, Dad...
He can't help himself anymore. He bursts into tears and hugs
his father. Mr. Blase doesn't know what to do. His arms
are out as if he doesn't know how to embrace.
MR. BLASE
What? What is this? Look ...you
don't have to be this miserable.
A little is all I asked for.
(FINALLY EMBRACES
HIM)
What're you crying for? You'd
think you lost your wallet or
something.
(even strokes his
hair a bit)
Talk to him, Evelyn. %.
He looks up at her and she's so touched by this show of
affections that she too is crying.
MR. BLASE
And. what're you doing?
Mrs. Blase shakes her head, but she shakes it in a certain
way that makes Mr. Blase a little troubled. He looks at her
again.
CLOSEUP - MRS. BLASE
Through her tea's there's a little trace of a smile appearing.
FADE THROUGH TO:
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT 143
He's taking down the last Italian poster and crumpling it up.
The cat meows.
DAVE
You; hungry, Jake, is that it?
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 76
143 Cont.
ANOTHER ANGLE
We SEE Mr. Blase standing in the doorway looking at him.
MR. BLASE
Dave.
DAVE
Yes, Dad.
OUT 144-
I
EXT. MR. BLASE'S CAR - NIGHT 146
Mr. Blase is driving. Dave is next to him. X
EXT. CAMPUS - NIGHT 146-A
The campus is deserted. Dave and Mr. Blase are walking
slowly outside a huge classroom building. Mr. Blase lights
a cigarette.
MR. BLASE
Just one.. Don't tell mother.
(looking at the
BUILDING)
You know, I do.this every now
and then. Come here at night
and...I cut the stone for that
building over there-...
DAVE
Yes,. I know, Dad.
MR. BLASE
I was one fine stonecutter...
Mike's dad...Moocher's, Cyrii's
...we all were. Well, Cyril's
dad...Ah, never mind. The thing
is. I loved it. I was young,
slim and strong and damn proud
of my work. • .and the buildings
went up...and when they were
finished...damnest thing happened.
It was like the buildings were X
too good for us. Nobody told us
that. But we just felt uncomfortable.
Even now. I'd like to be able
to stroll through the campus and
look at the limestone but I feel
out of place. I suppose you
guys still go swimming in the
quarries.
567 Cant.
REVISED - "BAZ INO" - 6/16/78 77
X
146-A Cont.
DAVE
Sure.
MR. BLASE
So, all you get from my twenty
years of work is the holes we
left behind.
DAVE
I don't mind.
MR. BLASE
I didn't either when 'I was your
age. But...Eh, Cyril's Dad
says he took that college exam.
DAVE
Yeah, both of us did.
MR. BLASE '
So, how did...how did both of
you do?
DAVE
Well, I think, eh, one of us
did all right. But neither
of us...eh...I won't go, Dad.
The hell with them. I'm not
ashamed of being a cutter. I
don't want you feeling bad.
MR. BLASE
Don't do me any favors, eh.
What, you afraid.
DAVE
Yeah, a little. And then, there's
the rest of the guys.
MR. BLASE
Well, you took the exam. You
did all right, eh?
DAVE
Yeah.
MR. BLASE
Well, that's...that's good.
Your mom...
(pauses, wants to
say something,
CAN'T)
She's a"fine woman.
Coat..
567
REVISED - "BA1 INO - 8.,(12.78 77-A
146-A Cont. 1
Both of them smile. Both are a little confused. Mr. Blase
puts out'the cigarette. Puts arm around Dave and heads back
to the car.
INT. DAVE'S ROOM -- NIGHT 147
Dave is on the telephone.
DAVE
Yes, can I speak to Ka...
Eathy, please.
A doorbell is heard.
MOOCHER
(o.s.)
They sold any house and Dave
said I could stay here for a
bit.
Dave hangs up the phone as Cyril and Moocher enter carrying
Moocher's barbell set and a suitcase.
CYRIL
Can I sleep over too.
MOOCHER
THE UNIVERSITY bought my dad's X
house.
MR. BLASE
(o.s.)
There goes the neighborhood.
FADE THROUGH TO:
EXT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 148
Mike is sitting in the car looking at Dave's room. He's got
an unlit cigarette in his mouth and seems to be debating
whether he should join the rest of the guys.
INT. DAVE'S ROOM - NIGHT 149
All three guys are sleeping on the floor. Cyril is in the
middle. All are awake and silent.
CYRIL
Our year's almost up...and...
well...if anybody's got plans
that don't include me...that's
all right. I've got plans
myself that don't include me.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAbIBINO" - 8/12/78 78
X
14+9 Cant.
He tries to laugh but doesn't. Puts one arm around Moocher
another one around Dave and closes his eyes.
OUT 150
ECT. BLOOMINGTON - DAY 151
Dave and Moocher are walking.
DAVE
I tried-calling her on the
phone to tell her but- 3:...l
Just couldn't.
MOOCHER
When she sees you in the race
she'll find out. Maybe if she
really likes you she won't care.
You know Nancy and I...
DAVE
(CUTTING IN)
What a mess. You're a Catholic,
Moocher. You ever go to
confession?
• b400CEER
Twice.
DAVE
Did it make you feel any better?
Once.
OUT 152
INT. CATHOLIC CHURCH - DAY 153
Dave is in a confession booth.
DAVE
Forgive me, Father, for I have
sinned.
INT. PRIEST'S BOOTH
PRIEST
What have you done, my son?
Cant.
567
79
153 Cont.
DAVE
I have lied and cheated. I
told this real nice girl that
I'm Italian.
PRIEST
Why did you do that?
DAVE
I guess... well...I wanted to
be Italian. I guess I still
do.
PRIEST
Me too. Ah, Romal Believe me,
son, it's hard as hell to make
it up the ladder of the church
hierarchy if you're not Italian.
You ever hear of an Irish Pope?
You take St. Mary, now. In Italian
it's Santa Maria. Ah, 'Santa Maria.'
Do you know Silent Night in Italian?
Fan-tastic. Even secular words like
watermelon. 'Concomero.'
DAVE
What should I do•, Father?
PRIEST
Call me Padre, per favore. You
see the difference? 'Padre.'
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 154
Dave is waiting outside a classroom building. His hair is
combed in an American style now. Students are coming out.
Katherine among them. She sees him and is stunned.
KATMMINE
God. What did you do to your
hair?
DAVE
I...wel1...I just...
KATHERINE
I liked it better before. You
look like everybody else now.
She starts to mess it up with her hands in order to comb it
back into its original shape. The results are not flattering.
DAVE
I am everybody else. I mean...
567 Cont.
REVISED - "BAI4BINO" - 811278 80
154 Cant.
She laughs.
You look funny.
DAVE
You see, Katherine...
A K THERINE
Katherina!
DAVE
I feel terrible.
His Italian accent is no longer in use and it makes Katherine
,just a tiny bit nervous.
KATHERINE
You sound real funny tonight.
Che Cosa, Franco?
DAVE
My name is Dave Blase.
KATHERINE:
What's that supposed to mean?
DAVE
Nothing. It's just a name. I made
it all up. I was born in Bloomington.
I went to Bloomington High. I was
the treasurer of the Latin Club and
head of the Ushers for our assembly
programs...I...
KATHERINE
Stop kidding around.
DAVE
I'm what you call 'a cutter.' F
Only I'm not really a cutter
either, so I don't know what I
am.
KATHERINE
And Napoli...and the big family...
Dave just nods that they were all lies.
KAT IE
Well, it was a good act. You
certainly fooled me.
Cont.
567
81
RrVISED - '"BAMBOO" - 9/13/78
X
154 Cont.1
DAVE
I just didn't know how else...
KATHERINE
Do you know what you are?
DAVE
No, I haven't a clue.
KATEINE
I'll tell you what you are.
(STARTS CRYING)
I'll tell you. You...You...
But she's too upset to tell him anything. She runs inside
the classroom. The doors close. Dave stands still. The
door opens. Dave smiles as Katherine reappears. She runs
up to him and slaps him on the face and then runs back inside.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
His face changes from a guilt-ridden sinner to one of almost
anger. Not quite. But there is a hint there of: The hell
with her thenI
EXT. DAVE' s HOUSE - DAY 155
Mike is holding the Little 500 bike. It's heavy and ungainly
in comparison to Dave's Italian racer. Dave looks at the
bike. Mike, Cyril and Moocher look at him.
DAVE
Can't I even add some toe-clips?
MIKE
No, it's official issue. They
said you can't add or change a
thing.
DAVE
It's a piece of junkl
CYRIL
But it's got a nice personality.
And it's had its rabies shots
already.
MOOCHER
I don't think it looks so bad.
DAVE
That's because you don't have to
ride it.
Cont.
56 7
81-A
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 9/13/78
X
155 Cont.
MOOCHER
You don't have to either, Dave.
We're not going to beg you.
CYRIL
Plead perhaps, but beg...never.
We have our pride.
MISS
The hell with it. At least we
got invited. That's something.
I'll take it back.
He starts to take the bike away.
DAVE
You actually seem relieved, Mike.
Mike pauses.
DAVE
You don't think we can win
more, do you?
Mike is silent.
DAVE
Why not?
KIKE
Well, maybe they are better.
DAVE
I've never heard you say that
before.
MIBE
Thatts because I ,never felt it
before.
CYRIL
My dad would be proud of you.
Our family motto is: It can't
be done.
DAVE
We'll see about that.
He takes the bike from Mike and starts wheeling it away.
He gets on it and rides it into the garage. The guys look
at each other. NOISE is HEARD coming from the garage.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/15/18 82
INT. MR. BLASE'S GARAGE - DAY 156
The entire bike is dismantled. The wheels are off. The
bearings on the wheels are out. The cranks are off and the
crankshaft has been removed. Dave is holding the saddle in
his hand. He's pushing down on it. It's very hard.
• CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - KITCHEN
pouring olive oil into a large pan. The pan is on a hotplate.
He puts the saddle into the pan and covers it. Mrs. Blase in
the kitchen.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - GARAGE
truing one of the wheels. It's in the truing stand and he's
tightening the spokes with a spoke wrench. He spins the wheel.
It spins fine.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - GARAGE x
reassembling the rear wheel. Putting grease on the ball
bearings.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - KITCHEN X
taking the saddle out of pot of olive oil. He feels the
saddle.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - GARAGE
assembling the crankshaft and putting on the cranks. He spins
the cranks. They spin rapidly on their own.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - GARAGE
taking the. chain out of a kerosene bath.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE - GARAGE
oiling the chain.
CUT TO:
567 Cont.
RE ISID r IIBAMBI17O" - 6/16/78
83
X
156 Cont.
ANGLE ON ENTIRE BIKE
assembled. Dave is finishing the job by putting on handlebar tape.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's all dirty. The bike is clean. He looks at it. It's
much better now but his face suggests that it's still what
it is.
OUT 157
EXT.
-BLOOMINGTON - DAY 158
Dave is riding his Little 500 bike. He's testing the bike
as well as himself and trying to get used to the new machine.
He tries sprinting and in mid-spring he stops pedaling. His
hand grasps his left leg. He's in pain. He drops his foot
off the pedal and shakes his leg as-if trying to shake out
a cramp.
EXT. DOWTOWN BLOOMINGTON - DUSK 158-A
Katherine is walking slowly through the deserted town. She
turns the corner and sees Dave sitting on the curb. His
Little 500 bike is leaning against the parking meter. She
looks at him. Wonders whether to say anything.
Hello.
Dave looks. He stands up quickly. He's stunned to see her
here.
DAVE
What're you doing here?
Katherine shrugs. They both half smile at each other.
SATAEAINE
Guess what?
Now Dave shrugs.
DAVE
I don't know..
KATD1E
I got a job in Chicago.
Cont.
567
REVISED - 'BAMBINO" - 8/12 8 83-A-83-B
158-A Cont.
DAVE.
Moocher's dad in Chicago.
He's...
He waves this remark away.
KATHERINE
And I'm going to Italy after all.
With my parents.
Dave almost slips into an Italian gesture.
DAVE
I wish...I wish you a nice trip.
KATHERINE
You too.
DAVE
I'm not going anywhere.
KATHERINE
I don't know about that. X
X
She walks away.
INT. BLASE HOUSE - NIGHT 159
It's dinnertime. Dave and Moocher are having meat and
potatoes. Mr.. Blase is comtemplating halt a head of lettuce
and some crackers. Mrs. Blase is at the stove.
MR. BLASE
If you eat so much, Moocher, how
come you're so damn small?
MOOCHER
It's my metabolism, Mr. Blase.
I eat three times a day, but my
metabolism eats five times a day.
MR. BLASE
Well, I go back to work tomorrow.
DAVE
Aren't you going to come and see us
race, Dad?
MRS. BLASE
He's afraid he'll bring you bad
luck if he comes.
Cont.
567
REVISED -"BAMBINO" 8/12/78 84
X
159 Cont.
MR. BLASE
I've got work to do. That's all.
Besides,-there might be another
metabolism feed around here.
DAVE
You mean you might be a father.
MR. BLASE
Yes, I might, and your mom might be-
a mother and you might be a brother.
That way I keep it all in the family.
MOOCHER
I didn't think people your age...
Mr. Blase interrupts.
MR. BLASE
The'next. word might be your last,
kid.
Dave looks at him. Then he looks at his mother. She smiles.
Dave looks back at his father.
Dave jumps up and hugs his mother.
MOOCHER
You must be very happy, Mr. Blase.
MR. BLASE
Of course I must. You think I have
any choice?
MRS. BLASE
You said you were going to give them
a pep talk.
MR. BLASE
They don't need pep.. I need pep.
Go ahead...Give it to them.
Mrs. Blase opens a kitchen drawer and takes out some folded
T-shirts.
MRS. BLASE
We thought...
MR. BLASE
(INTERRUPTS)
Since you're going to be out there
you.might as well tell them who
you are.
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 85
X
159 Cont.1
He looks at Dave.
OUT 160
INT. LITTLE 500 STADIUM 161
The crowd is cheering as various teams enter to take their
designated pit areas. A triumphal march is playing.
CLOSEUP - OUR GUYS
They are entering the stadium. Dave is pushing his bike
along.
ANOTHER ANGLE
We see them from the back. The word "CUTTERS" is stamped on
the back of their T-shirts. There is something comical about
this team. They are so uneven. Cyril is very tall. Moocher
is very short. They are walking out of step. All the other
teams are matched in height to accommodate the use of a bike
w.th a set saddle position.
CLOSEUP - OUR GUYS
They seem very nervous. The roar of the crowd. The other
teams. The foreign turf once again. Mike seems the most
nervous of all. They walk past Rod's team. Rod is smiling
and staring at Mike. Mike looks away. Cyril doesn't.
FADE THROUGH TO:
CLOSEUP - TEE STARTER 162
The crowd is hushed.
STARTER
Gentlemen, mount your bicycles!
A great roar is heard.
M E D. SHOT
A pace car is leading the field around the track for one lap.
Dignitaries from the campus sit in the pace car:
Mr. Armstrong.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The pace car is going faster.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The starter waves the flag as they go past him. The car
speeds up and gets off the track. The race is on.
567
CUT TO:
Cont.
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8 8 86
162 Cont.
CLOSEUP - .THE RACE
The riders begin their mad scramble for positions. The entire
width of the track is taken up by them. Rod is in first
place. Dave is dead last but trying to move up.
CLOSEUP..- DAVE
He's riding and looking for openings. Whenever. a little
space offers itself, he shoots through it and moves up. As
everyone goes wide on the first turn, he takes it on the
inside and moves up some more.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34
Cyril, Moocher and Mike are beating on each other in their
excitement.
CYRIL
He's moving up. Look at that
DAGO GOT
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON LAP CEiART
A big board with flip numbers shows: 200 laps to go. A man
is reaching out to change the number. As the riders come
around, he flips it to: 199 laps to go.
EXT. MR. BLASE CAR LOT - DAY 163
Mr. Blase is sitting inside a car. The radio is on. The
local station is announcing the race.
INT. Int. BLASE' S CAR
Mr. Blase has a huge NOBLE ROMAN bag stuffed with French X
fries and pizza.. He's stuffing himself and listening.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s.; on radio)
And so after twenty-five laps,
the perennial favorites are up
front. Sigma Nu, Phi Kappa Psi,
Sigma Alpha Epsilon ...and here
comes...It's'the Cutters.
Mr. Blase hits the car horn.
CUT TO:
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12 8 87
IND. SHOT - THE RACE 164
Dave is moving up'to-catch the leaders. Behind him is a
black rider. They catch the leaders and there are now five
teams'up front. As-they come around to the pit areas, we
see three riders from the fraternities swinging off for an
exchange. As they enter their pit area, they slam on their
brakes, and while the-bike is still moving, they jump off
while-a fresh rider jumps on.': Dave'is in the lead for a
while, but the fresh riders catch up.
CUT TO:'
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 1
Rod is sitting and resting. He's breathing hard. His fellow
riders are slightly out of breath too.
ROD
He won't last.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34
MIRE
He-Ill last. Won't he? He'll last.
CYRLL
Stop saying 'last '1
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON KATHERINE
Almost despite herself, she's getting caught up in Dave's
progress. She's trying not to.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He's beginning to hurt. His left leg is bothering him. As
he goes around the' turn,. his left foot slips off the pedal.
He almost loses his balance, but recovers.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s.; on radio)
It's amazing. After twenty-five
miles, that's one hundred laps,
folks...
OUT 165 X
CUT TO:
567
REVISED - "BAmBiNO" - 8/12/78
INT. MR. BLASE IS CAR CAR LOT
.ANNOUNCER
(a.s.;-on radio)
The lead rider for the Cutter
team is still on his bike without
an"exchange. His name is
Dave Blase...
MR. BLASE
Thassa my boy!
His car is running and he floors it while it idles and hits
the horn again, grabbing the wheel as if he were in a race
himself.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s.; on radio)
And he's pulling ahead. He's...
He's actually pulling ahead. There x
HE GOEST
O 167 X
CUT TO:
INT. THE STADIUM - ANGLE ON KATSER_ E 168
She. Jumps to. her feet. Wants to yell., but can't bring
herself to do it. Sits down.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's going all out. He's in terrible pain, but he's about
fifty yards ahead of his pursuers. As he approaches his pit
area, he waves for help and raises a. single finger.
CUT TO
Cant.
567
89
168 cont.
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34
MIKE
We're number onel
MOOCHER
No, he wants off. That's the
signal. He's going to go one
more lap.
CYRIL
OOOOPSL
MIKE
You mean one of as...
CYRIL
Once again I say oopsl
Mike looks frightened.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
Het s. really pouring it on now.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON REVIEWING STAND
The president of the university is looking through
binoculars.
PRESIDENT
Well, I had no idea.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 4
BLACK RIDER
That's the fastest white boy
I've ever seen.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He's coming around the turn and he swings off and heads to
his pit area.
Cont.
567
9O
168 Cont.].
DAVE'S P.O.V. - PIT AREA NUMBER 34
We see Moocher, Cyril and Mike. All of them are panicking.
They seem to be pushing each other forward. Nobody wants
to be the one to get on the bike. Into this panic Dave roars
in with his bike. He slams on the brakes. Jumps off. His
left leg gives way and he falls. Moocher and Cyril run to
help him up. Mike is left holding the bike.
DAVE
Go, Mike!
Mike is frozen.
MOOCHER
We've got a lead, dammit. Get
going.
But the crowd, the other riders staring at him, the pressure
of the moment is too much for Mike. He just stands there.
The lead that they had is evaporating. The other riders are
catching up. They are coming around the curve. Moocher runs
up to Mike, pushes him away and gets on the bike. His
intentions are great, but his legs are short. He can't sit
in the saddle and reach the pedals. So he stands and rides
just as the other teams come around.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 1
Rod is smiling.toward Dave.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON MOOCHER
He's standing up and going for all he's got. But the other
teams are pulling away.
INT. MR. BLASE'S CAR
169
He's driving at full speed and listening to the radio.
ANNOUNCER
(o.s.; on radio)
It's Sigma Nu, Phi Kappa Psi,
Sigma Alpha Epsilon...the Cutters
are fading, but it was some try.
Dave Blase seems to be hurt.
The first aid team has reached
him...
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 8/12/78 91
X
EXT.-MR. BLASE'S HOUSE 170
Mr. Blase drives past the house. He slows down as if
wondering whether to pick up his wife but then he speeds
up again.
EXT. LIT=ZE 500 STADIUM 170-A
Mr. Blase is entering the stadium through a turnstile.
Mrs. Blase is standing not far away looking at-him. He
doesn't see her right away. As he turns: They look at
each other. He is surprised to see her there.
MR. BLASE
Ev...He sure tried. Even the
announcer said so.
He is genuinely proud.
MRS. BLASE
Too bad he...
He interrupts..
MR. BLASE
Too bad. nothing.
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34 171
The lead r iders pass. Lagging behind them Moocher comes
in for an exchange. Cyril takes the bike. His legs are
so long his knees just about hit his chin but he takes off
in pursuit. Moocher is exhausted. Mike looks on. '
�Vl Kole) : 134;
Where's. Dave.
Mike points across the track. Dave is-in the center of the
field applying medication from a first-aid station.
It's all over.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON CRYIL
Bent over his bike like some human stork he's doing the
best he can. He goes past Pit Area 34.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMB330" - 8/12/78 91-A
X
171 Cont.
HEI I
Some of the people in the crowd laugh.
ANO TSER ANGLE
Dave is with Mike and Moocher now. He's got adhesive tape
in his hands and-is contemplating bandaging up his leg.
Rod rides past them in the lead. Mike looks at him. Rod
looks at Mike.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "THE BAMBINO" 6/16/78 92
X
171 Cont.
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 4
Three black guys are planning strategy. They see Rod getting
off the bike.
1ST-BLACK RIDER
Looks like they're going to save
Rod for the sprint. You get on
when he does. Stay behind him
until the last turn...
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA 34
Moocher is exhausted. Dave is depressed as hell. He"s got
adhesive tape in his hand but he doesn't feel like putting
it on his. Leg. The-race seems lost. Cyril-comes in for an
exchange.- Mike is the only one who can take the bike. He
grabs it. Hesitates. Jumps on. Cyril collapses near Dave.
Cyril seems quite happy.
CYRIL
We're doing better than I thought
we would.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON MIKE
Re's riding like a bull. He goes too hard and drifts out in
the turns. He almost runs into pit ONE where Rod is resting
and watching him. He gets back in the groove.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA 34
Moocher and Cyril are sitting together looking quite
satisfied. Dave looks at them.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON MIKE'S BROTHER 172
He's standing on the infield and waving his cap at Mike as he
goes by.
MIKE'S BROTRER
C'mon, you cutter!
CUT TO:
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 93
X
DAVE'S P.O.V. - PIT AREA 34 172 -A
He, sees his parents on the infield opposite their pit-area.
They are waving to him, proud of what he's done. -Nancy has
come into the pit area and is, congratulating them.
NANCY
I've never seen anyone try so
hard. I'm so proud of you.
CYRIL
We showed them, huh?
Dave Jumps up. His frustration almost makes biSm look angry.
DAVE
Anybody can tryl
ANGLE ON MIKE
172-B
is P.O.V.
He sees Dave waving to him to come in. Mike looks nearly
spent.
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34
173
Dave is waving at Mike to come in. Mike is coming in too
fast but manages to break. He is totally spent as he gets
off the bike. Dave gets on the bike. Moocher runs up and
holds Dave in place. Cyril starts putting the adhesive tape
around his feet, taping them to the pedal.
,MIKE
What's going on.
CYRIL
It's like Charlton Heston in.El Cid.
MIKE
They're going to lap us.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 4
The black riders look up astonished.. Dave rides past their
pit.
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 1
Rod sees Dave go past him. The rider for his team is not far
behind him.
ROD
C'monl C'monl You got him!
5 67
CUT TO:,
REVISED - "BAMBINO" - 6/16/78 93-A
ANGLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRACK 174
Mr. Blase and Mrs. Blase are standing on the track. Both
look stunned to see him back on the bike. X
MRS. BLASE
Go, son, go damn youl
Mr. Blase looks at her surprised by her outburst. Dave X
rides past them.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 34 175
Moocher, Cyril and Mike are jumping up and down.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
Nets coming around. He is gaining and making up lost ground.
CUT TO:
DAVE'S P.O.V. - HIS PARENTS 176
They, too are shouting something, but Dave no longer hears
-hem. The Italian music is playing through his head. It's
irresistable and he gives himself over to it for one last
time. He no longer hears the crowd shouting, nor anything
else except the music, and music seems to be carrying him
forward. His face registers the emotion of hearing it...of
giving himself over to it...and of a kind of farewell to'it.
CUT TO:
567
9
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 4 177
The three black riders look at each other.. They need a new
plan, they seem to be thinking.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 1
Rod and his teammates are watching Dave's progress. They
shake their heads. He can't possibly catch up.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE LAP CHART
It shows 5 laps to go.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE LEAD PACK
Now all three riders are looking back over their shoulders.
They see Dave coming on.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON PIT AREA NUMBER 1
Rod is getting ready to take an exchange for his final sprint.
ANOTHER ANGLE
We see the black sprinter in Pit area 4 getting ready to take
an exchange too. He and Rod look at each other.
MED. SHOT
Rod and. the black sprinter get their bikes at the same time
and start to accelerate.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE-
He passes the third rider from the lead group. Ahead of him
he sees Rod and the black rider.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON THE LAP CHART
It shows one lap to go. A man is waving a flag signaling the
last lap. Rod and the black guy go past him. Dave is behind
them and gaining.
CUT TO:
5 67
Cont.
95
177 Cont.
ANGLE ON THE BACKSTRETCH
Rod and the black rider are riding abreast now.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE
He sees them right in front of him. The Italian music is
still playing as he catches up to them and pulls up behind
Rod who's riding on the inside. They are going around the
curve. Rod drifts out a bit and that's all the room that
Dave needs. He takes the inside edge as they come around
for the final stretch. All three of them stand up and begin
their final sprint. It looks dead even as they're
approaching the finish line. A man is waving the checkered
flag. Then, with about forty yards to go, Dave suddenly
explodes ahead and wins by an inch or so. He raises his arms
in the air.
CUT TO:
NEW ANGLE
Cyril, Moocher and Mike are running toward Dave. They are
Jubilant. They jump on Dave knocking him down. Mike's'
brother runs up and...
CLOSEUP - THE BROTHERS
There's a look of family pride as they embrace.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nancy runs up to Moocher. She's still wearing her waitress
uniform. She practically lifts him off the ground. Dave's
parents rush past them. Everybody is shouting. The crowd
is cheering. Confetti is falling.
CLOSEUP - CYRIL
He's happy but he feels left out. Everybody is hugging and
'getting hugged except for him.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Katherine is watching the celebration. She looks at Dave and
then she looks at Rod not far away. Then she turns slowly
and leaves-bidding a farewell, in a way, to a portion of her
life.
Cont.
567
REVISED - "BAMBINO" -6/16/78 96
X
177 Cont.1
CLOSEUP - THE CUTTERS
Dave and his parents are walking off. Mike and his brother
are arm in arm. Moocher and Nancy are holding hands and
going their way.
CLOSEUP - CYRIL
He's-holding the four trophies they won. He is trying to
swagger but he doesn't know where to go. The guys seem to
be going-in separate directions and he doesn't know whom to
follow. The CAMERA PULLS BACK FROM him. Confetti is falling
everywhere. Wind is blowing it around the stadium.
FADE THROUGH TO:
ANGLE ON TREES 178
The branches are swaying in the wind. Leaves are golden
yellow and falling off, swirling through the air, falling
on the road. Mike's car goes through.the leaves as he drives
up an entrance ramp onto a throughway.
INT. MIL'S CAR - DAY 178-A
He's wearing.a cowboy hat. Cigarette is in his. mouth. He
looks back at a sign: "YOU ARE NOW LEAVING BLOOMINGTON."
He lights his cigarette. A highway stretches in front of him.
EXT. MR. BLASE' S CAR LOT - DAY
It's been retitled "CUTTER CARS LTD." Mrs. Blase, quite
pregnant now, is sweeping the leaves. Mr. Blase is getting
on the bike ready to leave.
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 179
,The leaves are falling off here too and blowing in the wind.
Students are going to and from classes. We see Dave among
them pushing his bike along. He's wearing a Phi Kappa Psi
jacket.
CLOSEUP - DAVE
He looks quite collegiate and he seems to know it. But it's
fall and fall makes you think of other days and Dave seems
to be doing just that. A GIRL walks up to him. She seems
quite lost. She speaks with a definite French accent.
GIRL
Pardon...do you know where is
the office of the Pursar.
Dave looks at her. Some of his collegiate exterior fades as
he smiles at her.
567
Cont.
REVISED - "BAI4BINO" - 6/16/78 96-A
179 Cont.:
He's struck. French music begins to play.
DAVE
Pursar? Oh, you mean the
Bursar's office.
GIRL
Oui, Bursar.
DAVE
You're...eh...you're French, eh?
CUT TO:
567
97
ANGLE ON MR. BLASE ON A BICYCLE 180
He's riding through the campus, looking around. His son goes
to school and he looks and feels that he has a right to be
there.
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON DAVE AND THE GIRL
They're riding double on Dave's bicycle. She's carrying his
books. The book on top is Beginning French.
DAVE
French is my major. It's just my
first year, of course. Have you
ever seen Le Tour de France?
He gives it his best French accent.
GIRL
No.
DAVE
Not Oh, mon Dieu. But the
French riders... they are the
bestl Pouladoirl Anquetill
Not only his accent, but his gestures are becoming French.
Riding toward him on his bike is Mr. Blase. He sees Dave
and waves.
MR. BLASE
Hello there, big shot.
DAVE
Bon jour, Papa.
They pass.
Mr. Blase turns and looks back. His face registers mixed
emotions, but the overriding one is one of acceptance. Dave
turns to the girl.
DAVE
Je m'appelle...
We FREEZE ON his French gesture.
FINIS
567
| Breaking Away
Writers : Steve Tesich
Genres : Comedy Drama
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