The Wonder Years (1988–1993): Season 6, Episode 1 - Homecoming - full transcript
As Homecoming season approaches at high school, Kevin contends with the local high school rivalries. Meanwhile, Wayne's friend Wart comes back from Vietnam.
-THERE WAS A ROAD THAT RAN
NEAR THE EDGE OF MY TOWN,
OUT WHERE THE SUBURBS
WERE STILL FARMS.
I USED TO GO THERE
NIGHTS, THAT AUTUMN OF 1972.
I WAS 16.
I HAD A GIRL. I HAD
A CAR. I HAD A JOB.
I WAS FULL OF NIGHT AND LIFE.
I JUST WASN'T READY TO GO HOME.
THAT YEAR, I TRAVELED STREETS
I'D NEVER KNOWN BEFORE.
I PUSHED AGAINST THE
LIMITS OF MY SUBURBAN LIFE.
I HAD NO IDEA EXACTLY
WHAT LAY AHEAD.
ALL I KNEW WAS... I WAS
RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
AND I WAS GONNA BUST IF
SOMETHING DIDN'T HAPPEN... SOON.
-♪ BABY ♪
-♪ BY WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ SAID I'M GONNA MAKE
IT WITH MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ TRY WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ OH, I'M GONNA
KEEP ON TRYING ♪
-♪ HIGH WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
♪ I'M GONNA KEEP ON
TRYING NOW, BABY ♪
-♪ OOH, OOH, OOH ♪
-PEACE WITH HONOR
AND NOT SURRENDER.
-HALT THE BOMBING
AND THEN TERMINATE OUR
INVOLVEMENT IN THIS TRAGIC WAR.
-IN 1972, THE COUNTRY WAS AT WAR
WITH ITS ARMIES...
WITH ITS IDEALS...
WITH ITSELF.
THE DREAMS OF THE '60s
WERE BATTLING A NEW DECADE.
THINGS WERE
HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.
ALMOST EVERYWHERE.
-OPEN YOUR BOOKS TO
CHAPTER 6, SECTION 13.
"THE RISE OF
POST-AGRICULTURAL EUROPE."
-11th GRADE.
THE NO-MAN'S-LAND
OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
-NOW... WHO CAN TELL ME
ANOTHER NAME FOR THIS ERA?
HOW ABOUT... THE
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?
-OH! OH!
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?
-EXCELLENT.
-IT WAS GRIM.
IN THE WAR BETWEEN
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND THE CLASS OF '74...
THINGS HAD PRETTY MUCH
REACHED A STANDOFF...
- MR. ARNOLD!
- FOR MOST OF US.
-HOW ABOUT YOU?
-ME?
-NOT THAT I'D BEEN
NEGLECTING MY STUDIES.
I'D BEEN STUDYING A LOT.
-DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
TO CONTRIBUTE?
-UH... YEAH.
-SURE. HOW MUCH
DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
-I'D BEEN STUDYING
TO BE A WISE GUY.
-I'LL BE EXPECTING A 10-PAGE
REPORT FROM YOU ON MONDAY.
-NOT VERY SUCCESSFULLY.
-RIGHT.
-OKAY, SO MY ACT NEEDED WORK.
LIKE MOST OF MY GENERATION,
I WAS DEALING WITH BIGGER
CONCEPTS THAN SCHOOLWORK,
CONCEPTS LIKE...
INTERCONFERENCE WAR.
-WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
-ARE YOU KIDDING?
IT'S THE HOMECOMING GAME
AGAINST THE OWLS THIS WEEKEND.
IT'S ONLY THE BIGGEST
EVENT OF THE WHOLE YEAR.
-OH.
-PAUL PFEIFFER...
CLASS PRESIDENT, CIVIC BOOSTER.
-UP A LITTLE BIT ON THE LEFT.
-NATURALLY, I WAS PROUD OF HIM.
-COME ON, PAUL. LOOSEN UP.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST A GAME.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
- "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?"
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
THE BIG DEAL IS.
IT'S THOSE STUPID OWLS.
THEY STOLE OUR KNIGHT.
-WHICH WAS TRUE.
IT HAPPENED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
A DARING 3:00 RAID.
-HEY! HEY, LET... LET GO!
-IT WAS THE BIGGEST
SCANDAL TO HIT SCHOOL
SINCE CHARLIE
MANDELSECK GOT CAUGHT
SNIFFING MAGIC MARKERS
IN THE ART-SUPPLY CLOSET.
-SO, THEY STOLE
OUR KNIGHT. SO WHAT?
CAN'T WE JUST GET ANOTHER ONE?
-VERY FUNNY.
-HEY, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
- HOMECOMING GAME.
- OH.
-I'M ASSUMING YOU'LL BE THERE?
-I DON'T KNOW. I MIGHT HAVE TO
SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH MY DAD.
- THAT WAS JEFF BILLINGS,
NEW GUY IN SCHOOL.
- LOOKS GOOD.
-BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HE WAS
THE FIRST KID I EVER KNEW
WHOSE PARENTS WERE DIVORCED.
-MAYBE YOU COULD BRING
YOUR DAD TO THE GAME.
-NO, YOU KNOW, THEN MY MOM
WOULD GET ALL UPSET AND I'LL HAVE TO
SPEND THE REST OF THE
WEEK EATING COLD MEAT LOAF.
-WELL, THAT SOUNDS PRETTY DUMB.
-OH, GREAT, YEAH. THAT'S
EASY FOR YOU TO SAY.
I MEAN, YOUR PARENTS ARE
STILL HAVING SEX TOGETHER.
-THEY ARE NOT!
-YEAH, YOU HAD TO LIKE THIS KID.
HE WAS KIND OF
LIKE ME... A WISE GUY.
-KEVIN!
-AND THEN THERE WAS WINNIE.
-I MISSED YOU TODAY.
I THOUGHT ABOUT
YOU IN CHEMISTRY.
-YEAH, I THOUGHT
ABOUT YOU IN BIOLOGY.
-WINNIE COOPER...
THE HAIR, THE SMILE,
THE WHOLE BALL OF WAX.
WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
-SO, CAN I GIVE YOU A LIFT?
-WELL, ALMOST EVERYTHING.
-OH.
-YEAH... ABOUT THE CAR.
-LOOK, I TOLD YOU. I
DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.
MR. CHONG MADE ME PUT IT ON
IF I WANTED THE DELIVERY JOB.
-UH... PICK ME UP AT THE
SIDE ENTRANCE, OKAY?
THANKS!
-IT WAS MY FIRST TASTE
OF WHAT THEY CALL THE
WORKING MAN'S BLUES.
NOT THAT I WAS COMPLAINING,
YOU UNDERSTAND.
-HI, HONEY.
-I HAD MY FATHER TO DO THAT.
-HOW WAS WORK? EVERYTHING OKAY?
-LOUSY.
-WELL, THAT'S NICE.
-HEY, SUCKERS!
- WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
- WELL...
-NEVER MIND. I'LL JUST
MAKE SOMETHING MYSELF.
-MY BROTHER, WAYNE.
HE'D GONE TO WORK IN THE MAIL
ROOM AT DAD'S COMPANY, NORCOM.
$89.50 A WEEK, TAKE-HOME.
-DON'T FORGET TO UNWRAP
THAT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.
VANISH, SCROTE.
-NOT ONLY THAT, HE'D
MOVED INTO NEW DIGS
IN THE BASEMENT.
HIS OWN PERSONAL,
CUSTOMIZED RAT'S NEST.
HE WAS HAPPY AS A CLAM IN MUD.
-WELL, I GUESS IT'S
ONLY THREE FOR DINNER.
-NO, ACTUALLY, I GOT TO GO.
-GO WHERE?
-OUT.
- OUT?
- YOU KNOW, OUT. I GOT THINGS TO DO.
-WHAT KIND OF THINGS?
-THINGS, DAD.
-WELL, THEN... DRIVE CAREFULLY.
-RIGHT, DAD.
-DON'T GET INTO TROUBLE.
-RIGHT, DAD.
AND BE HOME BY 11:00.
-THERE IT WAS.
THE BOUNDLESS TRUST
OF PARENTS WHO LOVED ME.
-THANKS.
-IT WAS TOUCHING. REALLY.
MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE.
ALSO KNOWN AS "THE POINT."
-HEY!
-THE FINAL BATTLEFIELD IN
THE WAR BETWEEN THE SEXES.
NOT THAT I HAD THOSE
KIND OF PROBLEMS.
I HAD WINNIE.
-WAIT.
I LOVE THIS SONG.
WAIT. CAN WE ROLL DOWN
THE WINDOW A LITTLE?
WAIT.
- "WAIT." IT WAS
KIND OF HER MOTTO.
-I HAVE TO GET
SOMETHING FROM MY PURSE.
-YOU HAD TO HAND IT TO WINNIE.
WHEN IT CAME TO SAFE SEX,
SHE WAS AHEAD OF HER TIME.
SHE CAME ARMED WITH EVERY
DEVICE KNOWN TO MODERN WOMAN,
INCLUDING...
-GUM?
-OF COURSE, IN RETROSPECT, I
REALLY ADMIRE HER RESTRAINT.
IN RETROSPECT.
-LOOK, WINNIE, ARE WE REALLY
GONNA KEEP DOING THIS?
-DOING WHAT?
-WELL... YOU KNOW...
STARTING, STOPPING.
-MOSTLY STOPPING.
-DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME
WE WENT A LITTLE FURTHER?
-WHAT EXACTLY DO
YOU MEAN... "FURTHER"?
-WELL, YOU KNOW...
I... WE...
-KEVIN...
-AND THAT WAS THE GREAT
THING ABOUT THE GIRL.
-DID YOU KNOW YOUR CAR
SMELLS LIKE PORK LO MEIN?
-HER SENSE OF SMELL.
-YEAH. I KNEW THAT.
-AND THERE YOU HAD IT.
I WAS LIVING IN A WORLD
WHERE "GO" MEANT "STOP,"
WHERE "YES" MEANT "NO,"
WHILE OUT THERE,
IN THE REAL WORLD...
THINGS WERE HAPPENING...
THINGS THAT MATTERED.
-HEY, WAYNE!
-THINGS THAT MADE
MEN OUT OF BOYS.
WHAT'S UP?
HEY, MAN!
HOW YOU DOING?
-DAVID... LOOK AT YOU.
- WART. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
-THANKS. IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.
-LOOK AT ALL THOSE
MEDALS. WERE YOU WOUNDED?
-AH, IT WAS NOTHING, REALLY.
-YEAH, MOM. HE'S FINE.
-YEAH!
-IT WAS AWESOME.
WAYNE'S PAL, DAVE WIRTSCHAFTER,
HAD LEFT FOR VIETNAM A GOOFY KID
AND COME HOME
FROM HIS TOUR A HERO.
-SO... WAS IT BAD?
WELL, YOU KNOW...
HEY, MAN! YOU
HAVEN'T CHANGED A BIT!
-YEAH. WELL, UH...
I GOT MY DRIVER'S
LICENSE. ON THE FIRST TRY.
-THAT'S GREAT!
-YEAH.
-WELL, WE'RE ALL VERY
PROUD OF YOU, SON.
VERY PROUD.
-YEAH. AND, HEY, I GOT A
NEW ROOM IN THE BASEMENT.
IT'S REALLY COOL.
YOU WANT TO SEE IT?
- YEAH, SURE!
- ALL RIGHT!
-BUT THIS MUCH WAS CLEAR.
WHILE THE REST OF US
WERE PLAYING WITH
TINKERTOYS AND RIDING BIKES,
THIS GUY HAD BEEN THERE,
EARNING HIS STRIPES...
TAKING RISKS.
-THAT'S PATHETIC. LOOK AT THAT.
-WHAT HAPPENED?
-THEY GAVE HIM BACK.
-WELL, THAT'S GOOD, RIGHT?
- NO. THEY KEPT HIS ARMOR, MAN.
- OH.
-OH, FINE. BE THAT WAY.
I'M JUST SAYING, SOMEONE
OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
-YEAH, YOU KNOW,
I MEAN, HE'S RIGHT.
WE COULD WRITE A LETTER
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
- WE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT.
- YEAH, KNIGHT-NAPPING.
-OR WE CAN STEAL THEIR OWL.
-HMM.
-AH, NO. FORGET IT, MAN.
I MEAN, WE DON'T EVEN
KNOW WHERE THEY KEEP IT.
-HEY, I KNOW WHERE THEY KEEP IT.
I GOT A FRIEND WHO
GOES TO CENTRAL.
-BINGO.
AND SO, THAT NIGHT,
THANKS TO FATE AND
RICKY HALSENBACH...
-GUYS? IS THAT YOU?
- I SAW MY CHANCE TO GO TO WAR.
-PUT THIS IN THE BACK.
-HOLY COW!
-SURE, MAYBE IT WAS CRAZY.
-FORGET IT. I'LL DO IT MYSELF.
-BUT IN SOME WAY, IT WAS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE?
WHAT'S GOING ON OUT
THERE?! PUT THAT CAGE DOWN!
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE, MAN!
-YOU HEAR ME?!
-COME ON! LET'S GO!
KEV! LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!
- PUT THAT CAGE DOWN!
-IT WAS HEADY. IT WAS WILD.
IT WAS...
- STOP!
STOP!
-IT WAS... A TOTAL FIASCO.
AL, MORE FRIES!
-THE NEXT DAY,
WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD
WAS CHOWING DOWN ON FRENCH FRIES,
I WAS EATING CROW.
-I DON'T BELIEVE IT. HOW
COULD I BLOW IT LIKE THAT?
I MEAN, WE WERE THERE.
WE HAD IT. AND THEN...
I MEAN, I BLEW IT. RIGHT?
-FACT... THE GREAT OWL
HEIST HAD BEEN A BUST.
-HEY, AREN'T YOU
GONNA SAY ANYTHING?
-YOU GOT SOME
KETCHUP ON YOUR SHIRT.
-HEY!
HEAR YOU BLEW IT LAST
NIGHT, HUH, BIG GUY?
- UH-OH.
- WHAT?
-OH, IT'S ALL OVER TOWN.
SOME BOZOS TRIED
TO RAID CENTRAL HIGH.
-WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IT WAS ME?
-OH... INTUITION.
PLUS THE GUARD SAID HE SAW A CAR
WITH SOME STUPID DRAGON
PAINTED ON THE SIDE.
NICE GOING, 007. THANKS.
-PERFECT.
-I WAS ON MY WAY TO BECOMING
THE TOWN LAUGHINGSTOCK...
AS OPPOSED TO,
SAY, THE LOCAL HERO.
-SO, WHAT WAS IT
LIKE? WAS IT SCARY?
-WELL, YOU KNOW, IT
WASN'T REALLY MUCH.
-ARE YOU KIDDING?! THIS
GUY WAS EVERYWHERE!
TELL 'EM, WART.
-WELL, I SPENT A LITTLE
TIME IN PLEIKU AND QUANG TRI
AND DOWN IN THE DELTA.
HEY, BUT I DID MY
R&R IN HONG KONG.
MAN, THAT WAS SOMETHING!
- YEAH, THAT WAS SOMETHING!
LISTEN TO THIS, GUYS.
THERE WAS THIS PLACE...
- LOOK AT THAT.
THE WAY MY BROTHER
WAS GRANDSTANDING,
YOU'D THINK HE'D
BEEN DRIVING A TANK
INSTEAD OF PUSHING A MAIL CART.
-SO, DID YOU KILL ANYBODY?
-WHAT?
UH, NO. NO, NOTHING LIKE THAT.
-YEAH? WHAT ARE
YOU TALKING ABOUT?
NOTHING LIKE THAT.
OKAY, EVERYBODY. SHOW'S OVER.
BYE-BYE NOW. HAVE FUN.
DON'T FORGET YOUR HOMEWORK.
DON'T STAY UP TOO LATE.
TELL YOUR SISTER I SAY HI.
-HEY, YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING,
MAYBE I OUGHT TO
CHANGE OUT OF MY CLOTHES.
GET INTO MY CIVVIES, RIGHT?
-YEAH, ALL RIGHT.
AND I'LL PICK YOU UP TONIGHT.
WE'LL GO TO THE GAME.
-THERE'S A GAME?
-YEAH, IT'LL BE FUN.
WE'LL GOOF ON IT.
- ALL RIGHT, SURE.
- LET ME TRY THIS ON.
-AND OF COURSE IT WAS ONLY FAIR.
AFTER ALL, IN LIFE, SOME
GUYS GET THE GLORY...
-HEY, KEV. HEARD YOU GUYS
BLEW IT BIG-TIME LAST NIGHT.
- WHILE SOME GUYS
END UP WITH NOTHING
BUT A KICK IN THE PANTS.
HOMECOMING NIGHT. THE BIG GAME.
EVERYONE WHO WAS
ANYONE WAS THERE.
-HEY, GUYS! YOU'RE LATE!
-YEAH, WELL, WE HAD TO
PARK KIND OF FAR AWAY.
-WHERE?
-THE BASEBALL FIELD.
-WELL, AT LEAST YOU'RE HERE.
AND IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT GAME.
EXCEPT FOR HALFTIME,
WHEN THEY FLY THAT STUPID
OWL AROUND THE STADIUM.
-PAUL.
-OH. RIGHT. SORRY.
-YEAH, THIS WAS SOME
FUN. BOOLA BOOLA.
-KEVIN, AREN'T YOU GONNA SIT?
-UH... NO, THANKS. I'M
GONNA GET US SOME SODAS.
-FIGURED I HAD ALL NIGHT
TO BE LAUGHED OUT OF TOWN.
MIGHT AS WELL FORTIFY
MYSELF WITH A COLD ONE.
-WART!
-HEY. HOW YOU DOING?
-GOOD. GOOD.
-BOY, SURE IS CROWDED, ISN'T IT?
-YEAH.
-LOT OF PEOPLE.
- HEY, WART.
- HEY.
-THE FUNNY THING
IS, OUT OF UNIFORM,
HE LOOKED LIKE...
THE OLD GOOFY WART.
- GANGWAY, SCROTE!
- WATCH IT, BUTTHEAD!
-HEY. HEY, THAT'S "MR.
BUTTHEAD" TO YOU, OKAY?
-MURDERER!
-WHAT WAS THAT?
-UH... NOTHING.
HEY, FORGET IT. IT DIDN'T
MEAN ANYTHING, OKAY?
- YEAH. THEY PROBABLY JUST...
- YEAH, SURE.
HEY, LISTEN. I'M GONNA
TAKE A WALK, OKAY?
- OKAY, WELL, I'LL GO WITH YOU.
- NAH, THAT'S OKAY.
UM, I'M GONNA CHECK
OUT THE OLD SCHOOL.
I'LL BE BACK. REALLY.
SAVE MY SEAT.
-YEAH, OKAY, WELL,
I'LL SEE YOU THERE.
-WHAT THE HECK.
YOU HAD TO FIGURE
WHERE HE'D BEEN, THE GUY
COULD TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF.
BESIDES, NO SENSE LETTING
A FEW ROTTEN APPLES
SPOIL THE WHOLE NIGHT.
-HEY, ARNOLD, CATCH
ANY OWLS LATELY?
-TWO COLAS AND
HOLD THE WISECRACKS.
-OF COURSE, LOOKING
BACK, I WAS BEING CHILDISH,
THIN-SKINNED,
OVERSENSITIVE... 16.
-OH! EXCUSE ME!
-ALL I KNEW WAS, I WAS FED UP...
WITH FOOTBALL,
WITH STUPID MASCOTS.
AND THAT'S WHEN I HEARD IT.
IT WAS ALMOST TOO
GOOD TO BE TRUE,
AS IF I'D PLANNED IT...
EVEN THOUGH I HADN'T.
WE STOOD THERE... EYE TO
EYE. IT WAS LIKE HE KNEW ME.
-HERE, BOY. YOU'RE
COMING WITH ME.
-I HAD ONLY ONE THOUGHT.
I WASN'T GONNA
BLOW IT THIS TIME.
-YES, YES, YES!
I MADE IT OUT TO
THE BASEBALL FIELD
IN ABOUT TWO MINUTES FLAT.
-I DID IT.
-THE THING IS, I HAD NO PLAN,
NO IDEA OF WHAT TO DO NEXT.
IT DIDN'T MATTER.
ALL I KNEW WAS...
- I DID IT.
-I'D SEEN MY CHANCE.
I'D TAKEN THE RISK.
I'D EARNED MY STRIPES.
-WART?
WART, IS THAT YOU?
WART!
HEY.
THIS IS PERFECT!
I GOT IT.
I GOT THEIR MASCOT.
I GOT THE OWL.
-AND I GUESS THAT'S
WHEN I SAW IT CLEARLY.
HE WAS SITTING ON THAT BENCH...
ON THE THIRD-BASE LINE...
AND HIS CLOTHES WERE IN A
LITTLE PILE ON THE GROUND.
-OH, GOD.
-WART?
WART?
WART, WHAT YOU DOING, MAN?
-NOTHING.
-HEY, MAN. LOOKS LIKE
YOU LOST YOUR CLOTHES.
-I KNOW.
NOTHING SEEMS TO FIT ANYMORE.
-HERE YOU GO.
WEAR MINE.
-IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY.
-THEY SAY MEN ARE CHILDREN.
BUT SOMETIMES...
CHILDREN ARE MEN.
MAYBE THAT'S WHERE
THE CONFUSION LIES.
ALL I KNEW WAS,
THAT NIGHT, THE WORLD
SEEMED SUDDENLY VERY BIG...
AND I FELT VERY SMALL.
SO I DID WHAT I COULD.
- WE WANT!
- WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
-1972 WAS A CRAZY TIME.
-THREE!
-KIDS PLAYED FOOTBALL,
DROVE CARS, WENT TO SCHOOL,
CELEBRATED LIFE...
- WHILE SOLDIERS...
HEROES, THEIR BROTHERS...
STRUGGLED TO FIND
THEIR WAY HOME FROM WAR.
AND YOUNG BOYS WATCHED...
AND GREW WISER...
IN THEIR DREAMS.
NEAR THE EDGE OF MY TOWN,
OUT WHERE THE SUBURBS
WERE STILL FARMS.
I USED TO GO THERE
NIGHTS, THAT AUTUMN OF 1972.
I WAS 16.
I HAD A GIRL. I HAD
A CAR. I HAD A JOB.
I WAS FULL OF NIGHT AND LIFE.
I JUST WASN'T READY TO GO HOME.
THAT YEAR, I TRAVELED STREETS
I'D NEVER KNOWN BEFORE.
I PUSHED AGAINST THE
LIMITS OF MY SUBURBAN LIFE.
I HAD NO IDEA EXACTLY
WHAT LAY AHEAD.
ALL I KNEW WAS... I WAS
RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
AND I WAS GONNA BUST IF
SOMETHING DIDN'T HAPPEN... SOON.
-♪ BABY ♪
-♪ BY WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ SAID I'M GONNA MAKE
IT WITH MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ TRY WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
-♪ OH, I'M GONNA
KEEP ON TRYING ♪
-♪ HIGH WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♪
♪ I'M GONNA KEEP ON
TRYING NOW, BABY ♪
-♪ OOH, OOH, OOH ♪
-PEACE WITH HONOR
AND NOT SURRENDER.
-HALT THE BOMBING
AND THEN TERMINATE OUR
INVOLVEMENT IN THIS TRAGIC WAR.
-IN 1972, THE COUNTRY WAS AT WAR
WITH ITS ARMIES...
WITH ITS IDEALS...
WITH ITSELF.
THE DREAMS OF THE '60s
WERE BATTLING A NEW DECADE.
THINGS WERE
HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.
ALMOST EVERYWHERE.
-OPEN YOUR BOOKS TO
CHAPTER 6, SECTION 13.
"THE RISE OF
POST-AGRICULTURAL EUROPE."
-11th GRADE.
THE NO-MAN'S-LAND
OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
-NOW... WHO CAN TELL ME
ANOTHER NAME FOR THIS ERA?
HOW ABOUT... THE
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?
-OH! OH!
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?
-EXCELLENT.
-IT WAS GRIM.
IN THE WAR BETWEEN
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND THE CLASS OF '74...
THINGS HAD PRETTY MUCH
REACHED A STANDOFF...
- MR. ARNOLD!
- FOR MOST OF US.
-HOW ABOUT YOU?
-ME?
-NOT THAT I'D BEEN
NEGLECTING MY STUDIES.
I'D BEEN STUDYING A LOT.
-DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
TO CONTRIBUTE?
-UH... YEAH.
-SURE. HOW MUCH
DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
-I'D BEEN STUDYING
TO BE A WISE GUY.
-I'LL BE EXPECTING A 10-PAGE
REPORT FROM YOU ON MONDAY.
-NOT VERY SUCCESSFULLY.
-RIGHT.
-OKAY, SO MY ACT NEEDED WORK.
LIKE MOST OF MY GENERATION,
I WAS DEALING WITH BIGGER
CONCEPTS THAN SCHOOLWORK,
CONCEPTS LIKE...
INTERCONFERENCE WAR.
-WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
-ARE YOU KIDDING?
IT'S THE HOMECOMING GAME
AGAINST THE OWLS THIS WEEKEND.
IT'S ONLY THE BIGGEST
EVENT OF THE WHOLE YEAR.
-OH.
-PAUL PFEIFFER...
CLASS PRESIDENT, CIVIC BOOSTER.
-UP A LITTLE BIT ON THE LEFT.
-NATURALLY, I WAS PROUD OF HIM.
-COME ON, PAUL. LOOSEN UP.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST A GAME.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
- "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?"
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
THE BIG DEAL IS.
IT'S THOSE STUPID OWLS.
THEY STOLE OUR KNIGHT.
-WHICH WAS TRUE.
IT HAPPENED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
A DARING 3:00 RAID.
-HEY! HEY, LET... LET GO!
-IT WAS THE BIGGEST
SCANDAL TO HIT SCHOOL
SINCE CHARLIE
MANDELSECK GOT CAUGHT
SNIFFING MAGIC MARKERS
IN THE ART-SUPPLY CLOSET.
-SO, THEY STOLE
OUR KNIGHT. SO WHAT?
CAN'T WE JUST GET ANOTHER ONE?
-VERY FUNNY.
-HEY, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
- HOMECOMING GAME.
- OH.
-I'M ASSUMING YOU'LL BE THERE?
-I DON'T KNOW. I MIGHT HAVE TO
SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH MY DAD.
- THAT WAS JEFF BILLINGS,
NEW GUY IN SCHOOL.
- LOOKS GOOD.
-BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HE WAS
THE FIRST KID I EVER KNEW
WHOSE PARENTS WERE DIVORCED.
-MAYBE YOU COULD BRING
YOUR DAD TO THE GAME.
-NO, YOU KNOW, THEN MY MOM
WOULD GET ALL UPSET AND I'LL HAVE TO
SPEND THE REST OF THE
WEEK EATING COLD MEAT LOAF.
-WELL, THAT SOUNDS PRETTY DUMB.
-OH, GREAT, YEAH. THAT'S
EASY FOR YOU TO SAY.
I MEAN, YOUR PARENTS ARE
STILL HAVING SEX TOGETHER.
-THEY ARE NOT!
-YEAH, YOU HAD TO LIKE THIS KID.
HE WAS KIND OF
LIKE ME... A WISE GUY.
-KEVIN!
-AND THEN THERE WAS WINNIE.
-I MISSED YOU TODAY.
I THOUGHT ABOUT
YOU IN CHEMISTRY.
-YEAH, I THOUGHT
ABOUT YOU IN BIOLOGY.
-WINNIE COOPER...
THE HAIR, THE SMILE,
THE WHOLE BALL OF WAX.
WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
-SO, CAN I GIVE YOU A LIFT?
-WELL, ALMOST EVERYTHING.
-OH.
-YEAH... ABOUT THE CAR.
-LOOK, I TOLD YOU. I
DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.
MR. CHONG MADE ME PUT IT ON
IF I WANTED THE DELIVERY JOB.
-UH... PICK ME UP AT THE
SIDE ENTRANCE, OKAY?
THANKS!
-IT WAS MY FIRST TASTE
OF WHAT THEY CALL THE
WORKING MAN'S BLUES.
NOT THAT I WAS COMPLAINING,
YOU UNDERSTAND.
-HI, HONEY.
-I HAD MY FATHER TO DO THAT.
-HOW WAS WORK? EVERYTHING OKAY?
-LOUSY.
-WELL, THAT'S NICE.
-HEY, SUCKERS!
- WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
- WELL...
-NEVER MIND. I'LL JUST
MAKE SOMETHING MYSELF.
-MY BROTHER, WAYNE.
HE'D GONE TO WORK IN THE MAIL
ROOM AT DAD'S COMPANY, NORCOM.
$89.50 A WEEK, TAKE-HOME.
-DON'T FORGET TO UNWRAP
THAT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.
VANISH, SCROTE.
-NOT ONLY THAT, HE'D
MOVED INTO NEW DIGS
IN THE BASEMENT.
HIS OWN PERSONAL,
CUSTOMIZED RAT'S NEST.
HE WAS HAPPY AS A CLAM IN MUD.
-WELL, I GUESS IT'S
ONLY THREE FOR DINNER.
-NO, ACTUALLY, I GOT TO GO.
-GO WHERE?
-OUT.
- OUT?
- YOU KNOW, OUT. I GOT THINGS TO DO.
-WHAT KIND OF THINGS?
-THINGS, DAD.
-WELL, THEN... DRIVE CAREFULLY.
-RIGHT, DAD.
-DON'T GET INTO TROUBLE.
-RIGHT, DAD.
AND BE HOME BY 11:00.
-THERE IT WAS.
THE BOUNDLESS TRUST
OF PARENTS WHO LOVED ME.
-THANKS.
-IT WAS TOUCHING. REALLY.
MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE.
ALSO KNOWN AS "THE POINT."
-HEY!
-THE FINAL BATTLEFIELD IN
THE WAR BETWEEN THE SEXES.
NOT THAT I HAD THOSE
KIND OF PROBLEMS.
I HAD WINNIE.
-WAIT.
I LOVE THIS SONG.
WAIT. CAN WE ROLL DOWN
THE WINDOW A LITTLE?
WAIT.
- "WAIT." IT WAS
KIND OF HER MOTTO.
-I HAVE TO GET
SOMETHING FROM MY PURSE.
-YOU HAD TO HAND IT TO WINNIE.
WHEN IT CAME TO SAFE SEX,
SHE WAS AHEAD OF HER TIME.
SHE CAME ARMED WITH EVERY
DEVICE KNOWN TO MODERN WOMAN,
INCLUDING...
-GUM?
-OF COURSE, IN RETROSPECT, I
REALLY ADMIRE HER RESTRAINT.
IN RETROSPECT.
-LOOK, WINNIE, ARE WE REALLY
GONNA KEEP DOING THIS?
-DOING WHAT?
-WELL... YOU KNOW...
STARTING, STOPPING.
-MOSTLY STOPPING.
-DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME
WE WENT A LITTLE FURTHER?
-WHAT EXACTLY DO
YOU MEAN... "FURTHER"?
-WELL, YOU KNOW...
I... WE...
-KEVIN...
-AND THAT WAS THE GREAT
THING ABOUT THE GIRL.
-DID YOU KNOW YOUR CAR
SMELLS LIKE PORK LO MEIN?
-HER SENSE OF SMELL.
-YEAH. I KNEW THAT.
-AND THERE YOU HAD IT.
I WAS LIVING IN A WORLD
WHERE "GO" MEANT "STOP,"
WHERE "YES" MEANT "NO,"
WHILE OUT THERE,
IN THE REAL WORLD...
THINGS WERE HAPPENING...
THINGS THAT MATTERED.
-HEY, WAYNE!
-THINGS THAT MADE
MEN OUT OF BOYS.
WHAT'S UP?
HEY, MAN!
HOW YOU DOING?
-DAVID... LOOK AT YOU.
- WART. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
-THANKS. IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.
-LOOK AT ALL THOSE
MEDALS. WERE YOU WOUNDED?
-AH, IT WAS NOTHING, REALLY.
-YEAH, MOM. HE'S FINE.
-YEAH!
-IT WAS AWESOME.
WAYNE'S PAL, DAVE WIRTSCHAFTER,
HAD LEFT FOR VIETNAM A GOOFY KID
AND COME HOME
FROM HIS TOUR A HERO.
-SO... WAS IT BAD?
WELL, YOU KNOW...
HEY, MAN! YOU
HAVEN'T CHANGED A BIT!
-YEAH. WELL, UH...
I GOT MY DRIVER'S
LICENSE. ON THE FIRST TRY.
-THAT'S GREAT!
-YEAH.
-WELL, WE'RE ALL VERY
PROUD OF YOU, SON.
VERY PROUD.
-YEAH. AND, HEY, I GOT A
NEW ROOM IN THE BASEMENT.
IT'S REALLY COOL.
YOU WANT TO SEE IT?
- YEAH, SURE!
- ALL RIGHT!
-BUT THIS MUCH WAS CLEAR.
WHILE THE REST OF US
WERE PLAYING WITH
TINKERTOYS AND RIDING BIKES,
THIS GUY HAD BEEN THERE,
EARNING HIS STRIPES...
TAKING RISKS.
-THAT'S PATHETIC. LOOK AT THAT.
-WHAT HAPPENED?
-THEY GAVE HIM BACK.
-WELL, THAT'S GOOD, RIGHT?
- NO. THEY KEPT HIS ARMOR, MAN.
- OH.
-OH, FINE. BE THAT WAY.
I'M JUST SAYING, SOMEONE
OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
-YEAH, YOU KNOW,
I MEAN, HE'S RIGHT.
WE COULD WRITE A LETTER
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
- WE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT.
- YEAH, KNIGHT-NAPPING.
-OR WE CAN STEAL THEIR OWL.
-HMM.
-AH, NO. FORGET IT, MAN.
I MEAN, WE DON'T EVEN
KNOW WHERE THEY KEEP IT.
-HEY, I KNOW WHERE THEY KEEP IT.
I GOT A FRIEND WHO
GOES TO CENTRAL.
-BINGO.
AND SO, THAT NIGHT,
THANKS TO FATE AND
RICKY HALSENBACH...
-GUYS? IS THAT YOU?
- I SAW MY CHANCE TO GO TO WAR.
-PUT THIS IN THE BACK.
-HOLY COW!
-SURE, MAYBE IT WAS CRAZY.
-FORGET IT. I'LL DO IT MYSELF.
-BUT IN SOME WAY, IT WAS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE?
WHAT'S GOING ON OUT
THERE?! PUT THAT CAGE DOWN!
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE, MAN!
-YOU HEAR ME?!
-COME ON! LET'S GO!
KEV! LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!
- PUT THAT CAGE DOWN!
-IT WAS HEADY. IT WAS WILD.
IT WAS...
- STOP!
STOP!
-IT WAS... A TOTAL FIASCO.
AL, MORE FRIES!
-THE NEXT DAY,
WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD
WAS CHOWING DOWN ON FRENCH FRIES,
I WAS EATING CROW.
-I DON'T BELIEVE IT. HOW
COULD I BLOW IT LIKE THAT?
I MEAN, WE WERE THERE.
WE HAD IT. AND THEN...
I MEAN, I BLEW IT. RIGHT?
-FACT... THE GREAT OWL
HEIST HAD BEEN A BUST.
-HEY, AREN'T YOU
GONNA SAY ANYTHING?
-YOU GOT SOME
KETCHUP ON YOUR SHIRT.
-HEY!
HEAR YOU BLEW IT LAST
NIGHT, HUH, BIG GUY?
- UH-OH.
- WHAT?
-OH, IT'S ALL OVER TOWN.
SOME BOZOS TRIED
TO RAID CENTRAL HIGH.
-WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IT WAS ME?
-OH... INTUITION.
PLUS THE GUARD SAID HE SAW A CAR
WITH SOME STUPID DRAGON
PAINTED ON THE SIDE.
NICE GOING, 007. THANKS.
-PERFECT.
-I WAS ON MY WAY TO BECOMING
THE TOWN LAUGHINGSTOCK...
AS OPPOSED TO,
SAY, THE LOCAL HERO.
-SO, WHAT WAS IT
LIKE? WAS IT SCARY?
-WELL, YOU KNOW, IT
WASN'T REALLY MUCH.
-ARE YOU KIDDING?! THIS
GUY WAS EVERYWHERE!
TELL 'EM, WART.
-WELL, I SPENT A LITTLE
TIME IN PLEIKU AND QUANG TRI
AND DOWN IN THE DELTA.
HEY, BUT I DID MY
R&R IN HONG KONG.
MAN, THAT WAS SOMETHING!
- YEAH, THAT WAS SOMETHING!
LISTEN TO THIS, GUYS.
THERE WAS THIS PLACE...
- LOOK AT THAT.
THE WAY MY BROTHER
WAS GRANDSTANDING,
YOU'D THINK HE'D
BEEN DRIVING A TANK
INSTEAD OF PUSHING A MAIL CART.
-SO, DID YOU KILL ANYBODY?
-WHAT?
UH, NO. NO, NOTHING LIKE THAT.
-YEAH? WHAT ARE
YOU TALKING ABOUT?
NOTHING LIKE THAT.
OKAY, EVERYBODY. SHOW'S OVER.
BYE-BYE NOW. HAVE FUN.
DON'T FORGET YOUR HOMEWORK.
DON'T STAY UP TOO LATE.
TELL YOUR SISTER I SAY HI.
-HEY, YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING,
MAYBE I OUGHT TO
CHANGE OUT OF MY CLOTHES.
GET INTO MY CIVVIES, RIGHT?
-YEAH, ALL RIGHT.
AND I'LL PICK YOU UP TONIGHT.
WE'LL GO TO THE GAME.
-THERE'S A GAME?
-YEAH, IT'LL BE FUN.
WE'LL GOOF ON IT.
- ALL RIGHT, SURE.
- LET ME TRY THIS ON.
-AND OF COURSE IT WAS ONLY FAIR.
AFTER ALL, IN LIFE, SOME
GUYS GET THE GLORY...
-HEY, KEV. HEARD YOU GUYS
BLEW IT BIG-TIME LAST NIGHT.
- WHILE SOME GUYS
END UP WITH NOTHING
BUT A KICK IN THE PANTS.
HOMECOMING NIGHT. THE BIG GAME.
EVERYONE WHO WAS
ANYONE WAS THERE.
-HEY, GUYS! YOU'RE LATE!
-YEAH, WELL, WE HAD TO
PARK KIND OF FAR AWAY.
-WHERE?
-THE BASEBALL FIELD.
-WELL, AT LEAST YOU'RE HERE.
AND IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT GAME.
EXCEPT FOR HALFTIME,
WHEN THEY FLY THAT STUPID
OWL AROUND THE STADIUM.
-PAUL.
-OH. RIGHT. SORRY.
-YEAH, THIS WAS SOME
FUN. BOOLA BOOLA.
-KEVIN, AREN'T YOU GONNA SIT?
-UH... NO, THANKS. I'M
GONNA GET US SOME SODAS.
-FIGURED I HAD ALL NIGHT
TO BE LAUGHED OUT OF TOWN.
MIGHT AS WELL FORTIFY
MYSELF WITH A COLD ONE.
-WART!
-HEY. HOW YOU DOING?
-GOOD. GOOD.
-BOY, SURE IS CROWDED, ISN'T IT?
-YEAH.
-LOT OF PEOPLE.
- HEY, WART.
- HEY.
-THE FUNNY THING
IS, OUT OF UNIFORM,
HE LOOKED LIKE...
THE OLD GOOFY WART.
- GANGWAY, SCROTE!
- WATCH IT, BUTTHEAD!
-HEY. HEY, THAT'S "MR.
BUTTHEAD" TO YOU, OKAY?
-MURDERER!
-WHAT WAS THAT?
-UH... NOTHING.
HEY, FORGET IT. IT DIDN'T
MEAN ANYTHING, OKAY?
- YEAH. THEY PROBABLY JUST...
- YEAH, SURE.
HEY, LISTEN. I'M GONNA
TAKE A WALK, OKAY?
- OKAY, WELL, I'LL GO WITH YOU.
- NAH, THAT'S OKAY.
UM, I'M GONNA CHECK
OUT THE OLD SCHOOL.
I'LL BE BACK. REALLY.
SAVE MY SEAT.
-YEAH, OKAY, WELL,
I'LL SEE YOU THERE.
-WHAT THE HECK.
YOU HAD TO FIGURE
WHERE HE'D BEEN, THE GUY
COULD TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF.
BESIDES, NO SENSE LETTING
A FEW ROTTEN APPLES
SPOIL THE WHOLE NIGHT.
-HEY, ARNOLD, CATCH
ANY OWLS LATELY?
-TWO COLAS AND
HOLD THE WISECRACKS.
-OF COURSE, LOOKING
BACK, I WAS BEING CHILDISH,
THIN-SKINNED,
OVERSENSITIVE... 16.
-OH! EXCUSE ME!
-ALL I KNEW WAS, I WAS FED UP...
WITH FOOTBALL,
WITH STUPID MASCOTS.
AND THAT'S WHEN I HEARD IT.
IT WAS ALMOST TOO
GOOD TO BE TRUE,
AS IF I'D PLANNED IT...
EVEN THOUGH I HADN'T.
WE STOOD THERE... EYE TO
EYE. IT WAS LIKE HE KNEW ME.
-HERE, BOY. YOU'RE
COMING WITH ME.
-I HAD ONLY ONE THOUGHT.
I WASN'T GONNA
BLOW IT THIS TIME.
-YES, YES, YES!
I MADE IT OUT TO
THE BASEBALL FIELD
IN ABOUT TWO MINUTES FLAT.
-I DID IT.
-THE THING IS, I HAD NO PLAN,
NO IDEA OF WHAT TO DO NEXT.
IT DIDN'T MATTER.
ALL I KNEW WAS...
- I DID IT.
-I'D SEEN MY CHANCE.
I'D TAKEN THE RISK.
I'D EARNED MY STRIPES.
-WART?
WART, IS THAT YOU?
WART!
HEY.
THIS IS PERFECT!
I GOT IT.
I GOT THEIR MASCOT.
I GOT THE OWL.
-AND I GUESS THAT'S
WHEN I SAW IT CLEARLY.
HE WAS SITTING ON THAT BENCH...
ON THE THIRD-BASE LINE...
AND HIS CLOTHES WERE IN A
LITTLE PILE ON THE GROUND.
-OH, GOD.
-WART?
WART?
WART, WHAT YOU DOING, MAN?
-NOTHING.
-HEY, MAN. LOOKS LIKE
YOU LOST YOUR CLOTHES.
-I KNOW.
NOTHING SEEMS TO FIT ANYMORE.
-HERE YOU GO.
WEAR MINE.
-IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY.
-THEY SAY MEN ARE CHILDREN.
BUT SOMETIMES...
CHILDREN ARE MEN.
MAYBE THAT'S WHERE
THE CONFUSION LIES.
ALL I KNEW WAS,
THAT NIGHT, THE WORLD
SEEMED SUDDENLY VERY BIG...
AND I FELT VERY SMALL.
SO I DID WHAT I COULD.
- WE WANT!
- WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT, WE WANT!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
- WE WANT A TOUCHDOWN!
-1972 WAS A CRAZY TIME.
-THREE!
-KIDS PLAYED FOOTBALL,
DROVE CARS, WENT TO SCHOOL,
CELEBRATED LIFE...
- WHILE SOLDIERS...
HEROES, THEIR BROTHERS...
STRUGGLED TO FIND
THEIR WAY HOME FROM WAR.
AND YOUNG BOYS WATCHED...
AND GREW WISER...
IN THEIR DREAMS.