The Wonder Years s02e02 Episode Script
Our Miss White
"I have a dream" "that one day" "this nation will rise up," "live out the true meaning of its creed.
" "We hold these truths to be self-evident," "that all men are created equal.
" "Even the state of Mississippi" Nineteen sixty-eight was a strange and passionate time.
Things that had seemed impossible were happening all around us.
"freedom and justice.
I have a dream" "my four little children" "one day live in a nation where they will not be judge" "by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
" "I have a dream today" The events of those days brought every emotion to the surface.
"With this faith, we will be able to work together," "to pray together, to struggle together," "to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together," "knowing that we will be free one day" We felt things strongly then.
And we felt them together.
I guess we all got caught up in it.
Even me.
And Miss White.
"Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands" "and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:" "Free at last, free at last.
Thank God almighty!" "We are free at last.
" Well, people.
We certainly lost a great man last April, didn't we? What was it about her that affected me so profoundly? Her sensitivity? Her warmth? Her intelligence? Maybe all of those.
Maybe more.
Maybe much more.
- Kevin.
- Uh, yes? Do you agree with Leslie that this speech helped change people's feelings about civil rights? Yeah, uh-huh.
Yup, I do.
How do you think it might have changed people's opinions? Anyone? Kevin? I think that it showed a lot of people that America couldn't be as great a country as they wanted it till everybody had equal rights.
Aah, the look.
I'll never forget that look.
The way that she cocked her cute little head to the side as her eyes met mine.
Very good, Kevin.
What other effects do you think that this speech had on people? Kevin? Um, I-I think that, maybe before the speech, people thought of Negroes as a group that maybe they didn't like.
But the speech made 'em realize that the Negroes are just people and they have the same feelings that all other people do.
Another look! Oh, it was too good to be true.
I was tempted to try for a third but I didn't want her to pull a muscle in her neck or anything.
People.
I haven't dismissed you, have I? Now, today is the last day to sign up for the Fall play and there are still several key roles open.
Now, as you know, the play is about the civil rights movement and I hope that today's film will inspire some of you to participate.
Okay? Class dismissed.
- Kevin, can I speak with you a minute? Sure.
I was wondering if you'd thought about trying out for the play.
Oh, the play.
I loved Miss White, but I hated plays.
It's really an exciting new play.
It's never been performed before.
In fact, well, the truth is, it's actually, well, I wrote it.
God, she was cute! But, I hated plays.
You'd be perfect for the part of Robert Kennedy.
I really think that, you have the right presence.
Well, I guess I did have a kind of Kennedyesque thing about me but I hated plays.
So, what do you think? I hated the thought of acting.
I hated the thought of rehearsing.
I hated the thought of standing up in front of an audience of 300 people and making a complete and total fool of myself.
- Sure.
- Great! Three looks! The hat-trick! It wasn't just my imagination.
She felt it.
She knew it.
She wanted me, too.
Well, guess I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
I thought you hated plays.
Why do you want to be in a play all of the sudden? I don't know.
No reason.
- Kevin, what play is it? It's called "The Times, They are Changin'.
" - It's about the civil rights movement and stuff like that.
What the hell ever happened to "My Fair Lady?" - Dad, the theater supose to be a form of political expression.
- Not when you're twelve.
- Don't you understand? I mean a play like this can raise people's consciousness about racial oppression.
Watch your tone with your father.
Yeah, and give me that potato if you're not gonna eat it.
- Kevin, I think it sounds wonderful.
We have to rehearse until 5:30 everyday.
Can you pick me up? Oh, gee, I don't know.
I'm right in the middle of fixing dinner at 5:30.
Jack, do you think, maybe, you could swing by school and pick him up on your way home? I don't get it.
Why do you want to be in a play? What was the matter with the man? Couldn't he see that I was pursuing a mature love relationship with a beautiful 28 year-old woman and all I needed was a ride? Dad! Okay, okay.
I'll pick you up.
Yes.
I mean, thanks.
Most important thing about this scene is to convey tension.
Now Kevin.
Remember that kennedy was very passionate forcefull man and try to feel that passion.
Ok.
Ok.
Let´s try again.
I'm the Attorney-General Robert Kennedy, and I'm here to see Mr.
Hoover of the F.
B.
I.
.
Go right in, Mr.
Kennedy.
Mr.
Hoover, I need more support from you.
The Negroes are fighting for their rights and we must help them.
Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency? All I am saying is that we should give all the support we can to Dr.
King.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
Yeah! No, he is not.
He's fighting for the cause of freedom.
Very good.
Very good.
Kevin, that was wonderful.
Good anger.
Thanks.
Much better, Paul and everyone else, good work.
Now tomorrow, we'll rehearse the town meeting scene.
So, start learning your lines.
Do you think I came off as unlikable? Paul, you're playing J.
Edgar Hoover.
You're supposed to be unlikable.
I know.
But Miss White said I should try to find the complexity in the man.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
Miss White.
Yes, Kevin? I just wanted to say that I think a play like this can really raise people's consciousness about racial oppression.
Do you really? Because that was my hope when I wrote it.
Yeah.
I've-I've always felt that theater was supposed to be a form of political expression.
Well, that's remarkable because so few Yeah, I know.
Most 12 year-olds are so superficial.
- Yeah.
I guess they are.
Well, it was pretty clear.
She didn't see me as any ordinary seventh grader.
She saw me as a man.
A man who understood things like democracy and social injustice.
A man who understood her deepest thoughts and feelings.
A man, a man - Kevin, ready to go? a man who was getting picked up by his father.
Well, Kevin, is that your father? Yeah.
Jack Arnold.
Nice to meet you.
Hi, Diane White.
It's a pleasure.
"Diane White?" Didn't seem to fit.
To me, she was more of a "Miss White.
" Now, I must tell you, Mr.
Arnold, that Kevin is an extraordinary young man.
It's a pleasure to have him in my class and, of course, in the play.
Yeah, he's a good kid.
Yeah.
Let's face it, I was well-liked.
Now-now, let's go.
He's really a natural actor.
Yeah? That's funny because I always thought he hated acting.
Let's go, let's go.
Really? Yeah.
You see, in fourth grade, Kevin you remember this? - In fourth grade, he had to play Winnie-the-Pooh in his class play.
And right in the middle of his big scene with Piglet, in front of the whole school with all the parents, his little bear suit splits wide open.
So, Jack, ready to go? I mean, Dad.
Mister Dad.
There are two kinds of logic.
There's logic-logic and then there's High and inside.
The way I figured it, everything had been going great with Miss White.
Until Dad came along.
- Ball Two.
- What? - Too high.
- No, it was not.
I hate him for it.
What are you trying to do? Break my hand? That was a strike! And so was the last one! - What's the matter with you? - Nothing.
The, uh, The Negroes are fighting for their rights and we must help them.
Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency? I said: "Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency?" Or are you saying that we should just try to help Dr.
King as much as we can? Cause if you are, I disagree.
- Ok, let's stop for a moment.
Kevin, do you need to go over your lines? No.
Is something wrong? Is something wrong? Is something wrong? Our entire relationship is fizzling like an alka-seltzer and you ask if something's wrong? Can I make a phone call? Well, sure.
Of course.
Take five everybody.
Five what? Is Jack out there? It's Kevin Arnold.
Hi, dad.
It's me.
I'm not going to need a ride home today.
Yeah, I got one.
Yeah, sure.
Ok.
I'll see you at home.
Bye.
See ya.
Kevin, isn't your father picking you up? How you'd get home? I walk I guess.
Can I give you a lift? Hello.
Well, here we are.
Yeah, here we are.
I wanted something to happen.
I didn't know what.
I just knew that I couldn't leave that car until something happened.
When do you have to be home? Thanksgiving.
Kevin, are you all right? Yeah, fine.
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Well, you better get a good night's sleep because tomorrow is the big day.
Yeah.
Guess we won't be seeing each other that much anymore.
At least, not professionally.
Oh no, I guess we won't.
There's still English class, though.
You can't get out of that so easily.
Yeah.
I had to make a move? Some kind of move.
My moment was slipping away.
Miss White.
You're pretty.
Thank you Kevin! Is there something you want to talk about? No, I didn't want to talk.
I wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her on the lips.
I wanted it so bad I thought I would explode.
She was right there.
She was two feet away.
Why couldn't I do it? Why wouldn't my muscles move? After all, she was a woman and I was a And that's when I saw it, as though I was looking down from heaven at that VW bug.
I saw an image of myself with Miss White.
And it was ridiculous.
She was a woman and I was a 12 year-old boy.
Kevin, is that you? Honey, dinner's almost ready.
Well, I gotta go.
Bye, Miss White.
Thanks for the ride.
Bye, Kevin.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
I have a dream today, that one day, every valley shall be exhausted.
Every hill and mountain shall be made low.
Waiting backstage that night, I started thinking of the first day I fell in love with Miss White back in the classroom.
I thought of the way she had cried at Dr.
King's speech.
And I thought of the way that made me feel.
This is our hope.
This is the faith with which I return to the South.
And you know something? In my heart, I really believed that Miss White loved me too.
It wasn't something that could be a part of real life.
But that didn't mean it wasn't there.
My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.
Of thee I sing.
And that's when I knew what was going to happen.
That's when I knew what I was going to do.
- Hey, Kevin.
You're ready, he's almost done.
I was going to cry! Hey-hey, Kevin.
What's the matter? I was about to go out to deliver a speech in front of 300 people and I was gonna cry.
Free at last, free at last.
Thank God almighty, we are free at last.
Ok, Kevin, this is you.
You're on.
Come on, Kev.
I see a more compassionate America.
A nation in which all people, black, white and brown, have the opportunity to build a better life for their children.
A nation in which all people can live free of oppression and violence.
Our answer is the world's hope.
It is to rely on youth.
I don't even remember how I got through that speech.
I just remember all the hurt, all the anger, all the disappointment, and all the love that fused together and surged through my Some men see things as they are and ask "why?" I see things as they might be and ask "why not?" - Diane! Steven! It was a strange and passionate time.
Some of our dreams dissolved into thin air.
They almost seem comical now.
But some of our dreams were lasting and real.
Taurusmind
" "We hold these truths to be self-evident," "that all men are created equal.
" "Even the state of Mississippi" Nineteen sixty-eight was a strange and passionate time.
Things that had seemed impossible were happening all around us.
"freedom and justice.
I have a dream" "my four little children" "one day live in a nation where they will not be judge" "by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
" "I have a dream today" The events of those days brought every emotion to the surface.
"With this faith, we will be able to work together," "to pray together, to struggle together," "to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together," "knowing that we will be free one day" We felt things strongly then.
And we felt them together.
I guess we all got caught up in it.
Even me.
And Miss White.
"Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands" "and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:" "Free at last, free at last.
Thank God almighty!" "We are free at last.
" Well, people.
We certainly lost a great man last April, didn't we? What was it about her that affected me so profoundly? Her sensitivity? Her warmth? Her intelligence? Maybe all of those.
Maybe more.
Maybe much more.
- Kevin.
- Uh, yes? Do you agree with Leslie that this speech helped change people's feelings about civil rights? Yeah, uh-huh.
Yup, I do.
How do you think it might have changed people's opinions? Anyone? Kevin? I think that it showed a lot of people that America couldn't be as great a country as they wanted it till everybody had equal rights.
Aah, the look.
I'll never forget that look.
The way that she cocked her cute little head to the side as her eyes met mine.
Very good, Kevin.
What other effects do you think that this speech had on people? Kevin? Um, I-I think that, maybe before the speech, people thought of Negroes as a group that maybe they didn't like.
But the speech made 'em realize that the Negroes are just people and they have the same feelings that all other people do.
Another look! Oh, it was too good to be true.
I was tempted to try for a third but I didn't want her to pull a muscle in her neck or anything.
People.
I haven't dismissed you, have I? Now, today is the last day to sign up for the Fall play and there are still several key roles open.
Now, as you know, the play is about the civil rights movement and I hope that today's film will inspire some of you to participate.
Okay? Class dismissed.
- Kevin, can I speak with you a minute? Sure.
I was wondering if you'd thought about trying out for the play.
Oh, the play.
I loved Miss White, but I hated plays.
It's really an exciting new play.
It's never been performed before.
In fact, well, the truth is, it's actually, well, I wrote it.
God, she was cute! But, I hated plays.
You'd be perfect for the part of Robert Kennedy.
I really think that, you have the right presence.
Well, I guess I did have a kind of Kennedyesque thing about me but I hated plays.
So, what do you think? I hated the thought of acting.
I hated the thought of rehearsing.
I hated the thought of standing up in front of an audience of 300 people and making a complete and total fool of myself.
- Sure.
- Great! Three looks! The hat-trick! It wasn't just my imagination.
She felt it.
She knew it.
She wanted me, too.
Well, guess I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
I thought you hated plays.
Why do you want to be in a play all of the sudden? I don't know.
No reason.
- Kevin, what play is it? It's called "The Times, They are Changin'.
" - It's about the civil rights movement and stuff like that.
What the hell ever happened to "My Fair Lady?" - Dad, the theater supose to be a form of political expression.
- Not when you're twelve.
- Don't you understand? I mean a play like this can raise people's consciousness about racial oppression.
Watch your tone with your father.
Yeah, and give me that potato if you're not gonna eat it.
- Kevin, I think it sounds wonderful.
We have to rehearse until 5:30 everyday.
Can you pick me up? Oh, gee, I don't know.
I'm right in the middle of fixing dinner at 5:30.
Jack, do you think, maybe, you could swing by school and pick him up on your way home? I don't get it.
Why do you want to be in a play? What was the matter with the man? Couldn't he see that I was pursuing a mature love relationship with a beautiful 28 year-old woman and all I needed was a ride? Dad! Okay, okay.
I'll pick you up.
Yes.
I mean, thanks.
Most important thing about this scene is to convey tension.
Now Kevin.
Remember that kennedy was very passionate forcefull man and try to feel that passion.
Ok.
Ok.
Let´s try again.
I'm the Attorney-General Robert Kennedy, and I'm here to see Mr.
Hoover of the F.
B.
I.
.
Go right in, Mr.
Kennedy.
Mr.
Hoover, I need more support from you.
The Negroes are fighting for their rights and we must help them.
Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency? All I am saying is that we should give all the support we can to Dr.
King.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
Yeah! No, he is not.
He's fighting for the cause of freedom.
Very good.
Very good.
Kevin, that was wonderful.
Good anger.
Thanks.
Much better, Paul and everyone else, good work.
Now tomorrow, we'll rehearse the town meeting scene.
So, start learning your lines.
Do you think I came off as unlikable? Paul, you're playing J.
Edgar Hoover.
You're supposed to be unlikable.
I know.
But Miss White said I should try to find the complexity in the man.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
That man is a threat to the American way of life.
Miss White.
Yes, Kevin? I just wanted to say that I think a play like this can really raise people's consciousness about racial oppression.
Do you really? Because that was my hope when I wrote it.
Yeah.
I've-I've always felt that theater was supposed to be a form of political expression.
Well, that's remarkable because so few Yeah, I know.
Most 12 year-olds are so superficial.
- Yeah.
I guess they are.
Well, it was pretty clear.
She didn't see me as any ordinary seventh grader.
She saw me as a man.
A man who understood things like democracy and social injustice.
A man who understood her deepest thoughts and feelings.
A man, a man - Kevin, ready to go? a man who was getting picked up by his father.
Well, Kevin, is that your father? Yeah.
Jack Arnold.
Nice to meet you.
Hi, Diane White.
It's a pleasure.
"Diane White?" Didn't seem to fit.
To me, she was more of a "Miss White.
" Now, I must tell you, Mr.
Arnold, that Kevin is an extraordinary young man.
It's a pleasure to have him in my class and, of course, in the play.
Yeah, he's a good kid.
Yeah.
Let's face it, I was well-liked.
Now-now, let's go.
He's really a natural actor.
Yeah? That's funny because I always thought he hated acting.
Let's go, let's go.
Really? Yeah.
You see, in fourth grade, Kevin you remember this? - In fourth grade, he had to play Winnie-the-Pooh in his class play.
And right in the middle of his big scene with Piglet, in front of the whole school with all the parents, his little bear suit splits wide open.
So, Jack, ready to go? I mean, Dad.
Mister Dad.
There are two kinds of logic.
There's logic-logic and then there's High and inside.
The way I figured it, everything had been going great with Miss White.
Until Dad came along.
- Ball Two.
- What? - Too high.
- No, it was not.
I hate him for it.
What are you trying to do? Break my hand? That was a strike! And so was the last one! - What's the matter with you? - Nothing.
The, uh, The Negroes are fighting for their rights and we must help them.
Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency? I said: "Are you trying to tell me how to run my agency?" Or are you saying that we should just try to help Dr.
King as much as we can? Cause if you are, I disagree.
- Ok, let's stop for a moment.
Kevin, do you need to go over your lines? No.
Is something wrong? Is something wrong? Is something wrong? Our entire relationship is fizzling like an alka-seltzer and you ask if something's wrong? Can I make a phone call? Well, sure.
Of course.
Take five everybody.
Five what? Is Jack out there? It's Kevin Arnold.
Hi, dad.
It's me.
I'm not going to need a ride home today.
Yeah, I got one.
Yeah, sure.
Ok.
I'll see you at home.
Bye.
See ya.
Kevin, isn't your father picking you up? How you'd get home? I walk I guess.
Can I give you a lift? Hello.
Well, here we are.
Yeah, here we are.
I wanted something to happen.
I didn't know what.
I just knew that I couldn't leave that car until something happened.
When do you have to be home? Thanksgiving.
Kevin, are you all right? Yeah, fine.
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Well, you better get a good night's sleep because tomorrow is the big day.
Yeah.
Guess we won't be seeing each other that much anymore.
At least, not professionally.
Oh no, I guess we won't.
There's still English class, though.
You can't get out of that so easily.
Yeah.
I had to make a move? Some kind of move.
My moment was slipping away.
Miss White.
You're pretty.
Thank you Kevin! Is there something you want to talk about? No, I didn't want to talk.
I wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her on the lips.
I wanted it so bad I thought I would explode.
She was right there.
She was two feet away.
Why couldn't I do it? Why wouldn't my muscles move? After all, she was a woman and I was a And that's when I saw it, as though I was looking down from heaven at that VW bug.
I saw an image of myself with Miss White.
And it was ridiculous.
She was a woman and I was a 12 year-old boy.
Kevin, is that you? Honey, dinner's almost ready.
Well, I gotta go.
Bye, Miss White.
Thanks for the ride.
Bye, Kevin.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
I have a dream today, that one day, every valley shall be exhausted.
Every hill and mountain shall be made low.
Waiting backstage that night, I started thinking of the first day I fell in love with Miss White back in the classroom.
I thought of the way she had cried at Dr.
King's speech.
And I thought of the way that made me feel.
This is our hope.
This is the faith with which I return to the South.
And you know something? In my heart, I really believed that Miss White loved me too.
It wasn't something that could be a part of real life.
But that didn't mean it wasn't there.
My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.
Of thee I sing.
And that's when I knew what was going to happen.
That's when I knew what I was going to do.
- Hey, Kevin.
You're ready, he's almost done.
I was going to cry! Hey-hey, Kevin.
What's the matter? I was about to go out to deliver a speech in front of 300 people and I was gonna cry.
Free at last, free at last.
Thank God almighty, we are free at last.
Ok, Kevin, this is you.
You're on.
Come on, Kev.
I see a more compassionate America.
A nation in which all people, black, white and brown, have the opportunity to build a better life for their children.
A nation in which all people can live free of oppression and violence.
Our answer is the world's hope.
It is to rely on youth.
I don't even remember how I got through that speech.
I just remember all the hurt, all the anger, all the disappointment, and all the love that fused together and surged through my Some men see things as they are and ask "why?" I see things as they might be and ask "why not?" - Diane! Steven! It was a strange and passionate time.
Some of our dreams dissolved into thin air.
They almost seem comical now.
But some of our dreams were lasting and real.
Taurusmind