Chapter
Thirteen
Billy Four-Eyes
FADE IN on the interior of a car.
It is a bright, sunny morning. A MOTHER is driving her young son to school. The MOTHER is in her thirties and the boy, BILLY, is eight or nine. He is wearing rather oversized, thick-lensed glasses and doesn’t look at all happy. The MOTHER is trying to cheer her son up. Her hair is cut in bangs, which just touch the top of her large designer sunglasses.
MOTHER
It won’t be so bad, Billy. Sure, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to start at a new school in mid-term. But look at it as an adventure — a chance to meet new people!
She looks at BILLY who hasn’t flinched. She nudges him with her elbow.
Come on, Billy! Can’t you give mother a little smile?
(coaxing)
Come on...
BILLY doesn’t respond.
MOTHER
(continued)
It’s the glasses, isn’t it?
BILLY finally nods.
MOTHER
(continued)
I knew it! But you don’t have to worry, Billy; lots of kids your age wear glasses. No one will pay any attention, and the doctor told you that these glasses were the only way to solve your eye problem, didn’t he?
BILLY nods in agreement.
MOTHER
(continued)
Mommy even wears glasses, doesn’t she?
BILLY gives her a “so-what?” sort of expression.
MOTHER
(continued)
Look there, Billy…
She points to a group of young girls walking towards school.
MOTHER
(continued)
See that girl in the pink dress?
BILLY looks back at the girls as they pass. The GIRL IN PINK is wearing glasses.
MOTHER
(continued)
And look over there. . .
BILLY sees two boys talking to each other. Both are wearing glasses.
MOTHER
(continued)
See? There’s nothing to worry about. Is there?
BILLY turns back to his mother.
BILLY
I… I guess not, Mom.
The MOTHER swings the car into the school parking lot.
CUT TO: INT. MAIN SCHOOL OFFICE. DAY.
MOTHER and BILLY are standing at the front counter across from the school SECRETARY.
SECRETARY
Here you are, Mrs. Isensee.
The SECRETARY hands MOTHER some papers.
SECRETARY
(continued)
Billy will come home on bus 26 this afternoon.
The SECRETARY lays out a map on the counter top and points to it.
SECRETARY
(continued)
He’ll get off right here.
(mother nods)
I’m sure that Billy will enjoy Miss Hayes’s class. She’s an excellent teacher.
(to Billy)
You’re in room 134. That’s just down the hall and to your left.
(smiling)
We’re pleased to have you with us, Billy.
BILLY is relaxing a little bit and smiles back at the secretary.
DISSOLVE TO: INT. SCHOOL HALL. DAY.
We see MOTHER and BILLY from the rear as they walk down the hall. She has her arm around BILLY’S shoulder. There are several groups of students walking up and down the hall on their way to classes. TWO GIRLS are walking towards the camera, and as they pass by BILLY, they screw up their faces.
GIRL #1
Did you see that new boy?
GIRL #2
Yeah!
GIRL #1
Those glasses! They’re so thick!
GIRL #2
He looks like a mad scientist, or something!
GIRL #1
Bug eyes!
THE GIRLS cover their mouths to hide a laugh.
DISSOLVE TO: INT. CLASSROOM. DAY.
MISS HAYES walks to the door to greet BILLY. She puts a hand on each of BILLY’S shoulders.
MISS HAYES
So you must be Billy Isensee?
BILLY
Yes, ma’am.
MISS HAYES
Well, it’s so nice to have you with us, Mr. Isensee.
(giving BILLY a soft pat on the back)
Why don’t you go find yourself a seat and meet some of your classmates?
BILLY smiles at MISS HAYES and crosses into the room.
MISS HAYES
(continued)
He’ll be just fine, Mrs. Isensee, but may I ask if he requires any special seating considerations because of his eyes?
MOTHER
Oh, he sees perfectly fine, Miss Hayes. I know that his glasses seem thick, but actually, he can see very well.
(smiling)
Thank you for asking.
CUT TO: INT. BILLY’S CLASSROOM. DAY.
MISS HAYES and MOTHER are talking just outside the door. BILLY is walking down an aisle trying to find a seat. The children turn and look after him as he passes. Some are smirking at his glasses. BILLY comes to an empty seat toward the back of the room. There is a BOY in the desk behind.
BOY
Jeepers, creepers! Get a load of those peepers.
Many in the class snicker. BILLY tries to pull the desk chair back so he can sit, but the BOY slides down in his seat and kicks the chair back in.
BOY
(continued)
You’re not sitting by me, four-eyes!
BILLY is startled by the boy’s comment. The bell rings and MISS HAYES enters the room. BILLY looks at her.
MISS HAYES
That desk will be fine, Billy. Wait... stay standing for a few seconds, please, Billy. Class — this is Billy Isensee.
Billy and his parents just moved here from out of state, so let’s give Billy a big Wilson Elementary welcome.
The class responds to the opportunity to legally make noise — that is, all except the BOY. BILLY, somewhat embarrassed, sits down. The BOY leans forward and whispers into BILLY’S ear.
BOY
Welcome to Wilson, four-eyes! Catch you on the playground.
BILLY takes a gulp. He looks around the room and sees various faces turned toward him — all apparently hostile, except for the GIRL IN PINK who smiles at him. BILLY is sure that he knows what they are thinking. He’s very uncomfortable.
DISSOLVE TO: INT. CLASSROOM. DAY.
MISS HAYES is writing on the chalkboard, and the class is fidgeting. The bell rings, and the children rush from their seats, except for BILLY, who remains seated, and the BOY, who walks slowly down the aisle, glaring over his shoulder at BILLY. The BOY mouths the words “four-eyes” as he turns forward and leaves.
MISS HAYES sees BILLY in his seat.
MISS HAYES
That was the recess bell, Billy? Don’t you want to go outside and play?
BILLY shakes his head. Miss Hayes walks back and puts a hand on his shoulder.
MISS HAYES
(continued)
Don’t be afraid, Billy. Now you go out there, and you’ll be surprised at all the new friends you’ll make...
(nudging him)
Go on. You’ll have fun.
Reluctantly, BILLY rises and drags his feet out the door.
CUT TO: INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.
BILLY is coming out of the classroom door. He looks carefully up and down the hall. No one is there.
MISS HAYEs (V.O.)
The playground is down the hall, to your right.
BILLY is in no hurry to leave the safety of the dim halls for the harsh brilliance of the playground, but the hall is only so long! He peeks out the window and sees the normal playground activity, so he gingerly opens the door, walks outside, and takes a few tentative steps onto the playground. The GIRL IN PINK is standing by the swings. She smiles and waves at him. BILLY smiles back. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
He takes another step in her direction when he is struck in the back with a kick ball. The force of the blow knocks BILLY down. As he turns face up, the BOY and a SMALL GROUP OF OTHERS gather around, towering above him.
The BOY starts taunting BILLY.
BOY
Four-eyes! Four eyes! Little Billy Four Eyes!
OTHERS
(joining in a full chorus)
LITTLE BILLY FOUR EYES! LITTLE BILLY FOUR EYES!
BILLY is frightened by all the jeering children — white, black, Hispanic, Asian — all teasing, all taunting. A tear trickles down from behind the thick lenses of BILLY’S glasses.
CUT TO: EXT. A PEACEFUL RESIDENTIAL STREET CORNER. DAY.
A school bus pulls up to the corner, and, as soon as the door opens, BILLY rushes off. A couple kids lean out the window and calling, “Bye-bye, four-eyes!”
CUT TO: INT. KITCHEN. DAY.
Billy’s MOTHER is seen from the rear, chopping something at the kitchen counter. Her back is to us, as she is facing the rear screen door. BILLY comes rushing through the door, letting it slam behind.
MOTHER
Billy! What’s wrong?
BILLY
(sobbing)
You said it was all right! You said that the glasses would be okay — that they wouldn’t notice! You lied, you lied, YOU LIED!
MOTHER crosses around to console her son. She crouches and hugs him.
MOTHER
I’m sorry, dear. Tell me what happened.
BILLY pulls back slightly.
BILLY
They called me four-eyes! You lied to me. . . You said that the glasses would help...
You said they wouldn’t notice! You lied! They called me four-eyes!
MOTHER
But honey, I thought that the glasses would help.
I wear glasses when I go out, and I’ve never had a problem. Here, let me wipe the tears from your eyes.
MOTHER takes Billy’s handkerchief and starts to wipe the tears from his cheek.
MOTHER
(continued)
There, there, honey! Everything will be all right!
MOTHER removes Billy’s glasses and begins to dab the tears from his eyes — all four of them. BILLY hugs his mother tightly, his chin on her shoulder.
CUT TO: REVERSE ANGLE.
MOTHER caresses BILLY, her four eyes reddening with emotion.
MOTHER
(continued)
(in soothing tones)
It will be all right, sweetheart. Really it will! It will be all right. . .
CAMERA PULLS BACK.
NARRATOR
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...” with these words America has extended the hand of welcome to refugees from all corners of the earth.
It is a welcome given to anyone seeking refuge from religious persecution and political tyranny — regardless of race, religion, political ideology, or place of origin. Sometimes, however, the transition to a new way of life is a long and trying road — especially if you’re a refugee from another planet.
FADE TO BLACK.
The viewers erupted with applause and cheers. They congratulated Rosa and Cameron heartily. When the credits ended, the parties once again appeared on each other’s screen.
The people gathered in New Mexico saw a familiar figure rise from the floor and approach the screen until his face dominated the picture. He stared at them through thick-lensed glasses.
Billy said just one word, “Cool.”
He smiled as he heard the applause coming from New Mexico.
(Chapters 14-18)
