Épisode Persévérance S01E03 - The Dead Zone Saison 1

Johnny sort d'un magasin avec un journal. Quelqu'un passe près de lui et le salue. Une femme le heurte, Johnny s'excuse. Une vieille femme qui ressemble à sa mère l'aggripe et lui dit: "Entend la petite voix quand elle te parlera et quand ça sera le cas fait ton devoir". A ce moment-là, tout le monde commence à le toucher et Johnny se réveille en sursaut dans son lit. C'était un cauchemar.

GENERIQUE

Johnny sort de sa maison accompagné de Bruce. Ils se disputent à propos d'un job de professeur que Bruce lui a trouvé. Johnny ne sent pas encore prêt pour avoir un travail. Johnny lui demande les clés de la voiture, mais Bruce hésite à le laisser conduire. Finalement, Johnny arrive à le convaincre, et Bruce accepte.

Johnny est à l'école. Il voit le placard du concierge et le touche. Il a une vision. Il se voit dans le placard avec Sarah, ils sont en train de s'embrasser. Malheureusement, cette vision provient du passé. Il ouvre la porte et remarque que ce n'est plus un placard. Une fille lui demande s'il est perdu. Johnny lui répond que non. Sarah le rejoint et ils parlent ensemble de l'ancien temps. Sarah part et Johnny va voir le proviseur. Le proviseur touche Johnny et celui-ci a une vision du proviseur qui déclare au téléphone que Johnny n'est pas fou. Ils parlent de l'ancien temps et le proviseur lui propose d'être remplaçant ainsi que l'entraîneur de l'équipe de hockey. Johnny accepte tout de suite.

Le révérend est dans une chapelle. Il lit le journal pendant que Dana lui parle des biens de la mère de Johnny. Purdy arrive à éviter la question, mais ils continuent de parler de Johnny. Purdy veut engager Dana pour qu'elle puisse lui dire tout ce que Johnny fait.

Un entraîneur de hockey crie à ses joueurs d'êtres plus énergiques. Johnny arrive et rencontre l'entraîneur. Johnny regarde un joueur de hockey jouer, Todd. Il le trouve très bon en attaque, mais moins en défense. L'entraîneur lui dit qu'il ne bouge pas assez vite. Johnny donne alors un conseil à Todd. Il lui dit de regarder les hanches de l'attaquant, ainsi il pourra anticiper ce qu'il va faire. Todd suit ce conseil et cela fonctionne bien. Todd plaque l'attaquant au sol et les deux joueurs sont à terre. Johnny arrive et demande à Todd si tout va bien. Todd lui explique qu'il a une vieille déchirure à la hanche, mais que ce n'est pas grave. Johnny l'aide à se lever et il a une vision. Il voit le coeur de Todd de l'intérieur.

Johnny marche dans la cour de l'école. Sarah le rejoint. Il lui parle de l'arbre où ils ont passé des année dessous. Il lui parle aussi de sa vision en ce qui concerne Todd, le joueur de hockey. Il pense que Todd pourrait avoir un problème cardiaque. Todd arrive et lui dit qu'il est dans son premier cours d'histoire où il est remplaçant. Johnny lui dit qu'il voudrait lui parler après le cours. Sarah lui donne des conseils sur les élèves.

En cours, Johnny se présente à ses éléves et leur demande à quel chapitre ils en sont. Un éléve lui dit que c'est le chapitre 12, mais en touchant le livre, Johnny a une vision et sait c'est que ce n'est pas le bon chapitre. Il s'approche de l'élève et touche son bureau. Il sait que ce n'est pas la place de l'élève. Il demande à tous ceux qui ont changé de place de regagner leur place d'origine. Pratiquement tout les élèves se lèvent et changent de place. Une fille lève la main et lui demande s'il y a eu des articles sur lui dans la presse. Johnny répond que oui et lui demande ce qu'elle en pense. Elle ne répond pas. Un autre élève lui demande s'il sait qui va gagner le Super Ball, mais Johnny répond que non et commence son cours.

Dana et le proviseur sont dans un couloir de l'école. Dana lui parle de Johnny.

Johnny ramasse les copies de ses élèves. L'un deux se lève et tente d'expliquer à Johnny pourquoi son devoir n'est pas complet. Pendant que l'élève lui explique, Johnny le voit avec un cigare dans le bouche, une bière dans la main et effectuer des pas de danse. Johnny le coupe en lui disant qu'il a un grand esprit créatif et qu'il est un excellent danseur, mais qu'il devrait arrêter le cigare et la bière. Les autres élèves rient. Johnny pose une question, mais c'est la fin du cours. Les élèves s'en vont, sauf Todd. Johnny lui demande si sa hanche lui fait mal et lui conseille d'aller voir le médecin de l'équipe pour s'assurer que tout va bien.

Dana et Johnny parlent dans le couloir. Johnny s'arrête près de Sarah et la présente à Dana. Celle-ci voudrait poser des questions à Sarah sur Johnny mais cette dernière part.

Johnny est dans la cour et rejoint le médecin de l'équipe de hockey. Ils parent de Todd et Johnny lui demande s'il n'aurait pas un problème au coeur, mais le médecin lui dit que Todd va très bien. Johnny lui demande quand même de faire un examen complet à Todd.

Le soir, Sarah et Walt sont ceux eux, ils parlent de Johnny et de Dana.

Pendant la partie de hockey, Johnny parle avec l'entraîneur. Le match se déroule très bien. L'équipe de hockey de Johnny, les Huskies, gagnent. Todd donne un bâton à Johnny pour souligner sa victoire. Johnny a une vision de Todd qui fait une crise cardiaque juste avant de marque un but.

Des parents d'élèves sont dans le bureau du proviseur. Ils ne veulent pas que Johnny fasse cours à leurs enfants. Johnny arrive et demande à parler au proviseur. Johnny lui parle de ses doutes sur le prochain match de Todd.

Johnny va voir l'entraînement de son fils à la patinoire. Il revoit la visage de sa mère comme dans le rêve et répéte la phrase qu'elle lui a dite: "Entend donc la petite voix..."

Johnny va voir la famille de Todd. Il leur révèle ce qu'il a vu mais ils ne veulent rien savoir. Le père de Todd lui dit qu'il est dangereux. Todd rentre à la maison, et la père demande à Johnny de partir. Johnny part sans dire un mot à Todd.

Johnny est rentré chez lui. Il fait ses exercies quand on frappe à la porte. C'est Todd. Il lui dit qu'il sait tout. Johnny le faire entrer chez lui. Todd lui dit qu'il va bien, et ils parlent des visions de Johnny. Todd lui demande ce qu'il a vu, et Johnny lui dit qu'il était mort. Todd accepte alors d'aller voir un cardiologue.

Todd passe les examens et lui médecin déclare qu'il va bien.

Johnny et Todd vont au match, mais malgré le fait que le médecin dise que Todd va bien, Johnny est inquiet. Le match commence bien jusqu'à l'entraîneur s'énerve et lance un bâton par-terre parce que l'arbitre a refusé un but. L'arbitre fait sorti l'entraîneur de la patinoire. C'est donc Johnny qui se retrouve désormais entraîneur et qui doit diriger l'équipe. Johnny donne des indications et met Todd sur le banc. Ils perdent donc la partie. Les gens se mettent à insulter Johnny et lui balance des choses. Bruce vient chercher Johnny et ils partent sans demander leur reste.

Johnny essaie de s'expliquer au proviseur. Ce dernier lui dit qu'il est possible qu'il soit renvoyé, mais Johnny le dévance et lui dit qu'il démissionne.

Les parents de Todd sont dans la voiture avec leur fils. Ils lui apprenent que l'entraîneur de Princeston, qui était venu voir jouer Todd pour l'accepter ou non dans l'équipe de Princeston, ne veut pas de lui dans son équipe. Todd est très deçu. Il comprend que sa carrière universitaire dans le hockey prend fin. Le père dit que Johnny n'osera pas se montrer de sitôt et continue à parler à son fils, mais celui-ci ne répond pas. Le père se retourne et voit son fils évanoui à l'arrière de la voiture.

Les parents regardent leur fils dormir à l'hôpital. Le médecin arrive. Il est suivi de près par Johnny. Le médecin leur dit que Todd a une anomalie du système électrique du coeur. Il rajoute que Todd a eu beaucoup de chance, car s'il l'avait eu pendant le match, il serait probablement mort. Le médecin se retourne et voit Johnny. Il fait un petit sourire forcé à Johnny. Les parents de Todd le remercient en lui faisant un signe de la tête.

Walt attend Johnny en dehors de l'hôpital pour l'aider à partir, car les journalistes sont là. Plusieurs d'entre eux le touchent, ce qui provoquent différentes visions à Johnny. Dana le touche aussi et il se voit coucher avec elle. Johnny et Walt arrivent à la voiture de celui-ci et ils partent.

FADE IN:
1 1 EXT. CLEAVES MILLS - DAY
Johnny Smith's home town -- a picture post card New England village... church bells ringing... as the Maine townsfolk go about their business at a leisurely pace... moving to find... JOHNNY SMITH, taking in the idyllic setting, it seems like a perfect Saturday morning... suddenly a hand reaches up toward himfrom --

He turns to see --
(CONTINUED)
ANGLE - A FILTHY HOMELESS WOMAN IN TATTERS sitting on the sidewalk... revealing her to be VERA SMITH, Johnny's mother...

As her hand touches his arm... she looks into his eyes...
repeating, urgently, just to him --

Johnny looks at her, confused, not understanding what she
means. But his mother's living on the street and it's
humiliating... he reaches down to help her up...

She is up now, calling out for the world to hear about
her son --

Johnny follows her, trying to get her to be quiet...

And this is completely embarrassing now... as Johnny looks
around to see --
REACTIONS AROUND THE SQUARE
And this all happens very very fast: a rugged MAN#1 in a
funny cap loading some lumber into the back of a truck
turns to the voice... a MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN#1 saying a
cheerful good-bye to a SHOP-KEEPER both look to see what's
going on... a couple of OLDER FELLOWS playing checkers
outside the barber shop get out of their chair and move
toward the sound...

A YOUNG COUPLE sharing a hot fudge sundae outside the ice
cream shop... leave their ice cream behind to join others
who are converging on Johnny...Johnny grabs his mother and tries to end this...

But as he grabs her and turns her to him... he recoils as he sees --HOMELESS WOMAN/VERA - HER EYES ARE BLACK and lifeless...JOHNNY reacts... retreats now as he's being pursued by --PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE SQUARE are running towards him... pointing at him... and they're pointing at him, like they know him... smiling, excited.. it's like they've just spotted a rock star in their town...

And damn, they want a piece of him... a wall of voices: "Johnny... Johnny... touch us, Johnny" follows him as they chase him...DOWN THE SIDEWALK - MOVING WITH JOHNNY where more people are coming at him... coming out of
buildings, out doors... people surrounding him are tugging at him, each touch is like an electric shock, his clothes are being torn... it's a bloody riot right here in Cleaves Mills... and all the while there is this wall of sound...
"Johnny... Johnny... Johnny... touch us, Johnny..."

And as it seems he's going to drown in hands...

2 2 INT. JOHNNY'S BEDROOM - CLOSE-UP - JOHNNY
He wakes up in a cold sweat out of this dream, heart pounding... as we move in on his face...

3 3 EXT. MAINE LANDSCAPE - STOCK - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A couple of lovely shots in winter (without snow)...

4 4 EXT. FAITH HERITAGE UNIVERSITY - DAY - ESTABLISHING
5 5 INT. CHAPEL - DAY
Close on a newspaper headline: "Psychic Leads Police to Strangler Suspect". A picture of Johnny is right next to a picture of Dodd. The word 'suicide' should be on the page as well.

Finding PURDY in the foreground using the light from a stained glass window to provide light to the newspaper. He wears half-cut reading glasses which he peers over toward DANA BRIGHT, attractive but dressed down as always, sitting in a front pew, shapely legs crossed at the knee.

As he moves to her, he keeps his poker face but enjoys the gamesmanship with her.

Purdy sits beside her, rather intimately close, takes off his glasses...

And there's more to this line than meets the eye:

He studies her and despite her bravado there's a fragile woman there... for reasons only they can understand, she's vulnerable to him...

She stands, grins with a defensive, self-deprecating
humor... as though it's a badge of honor --

She exits. Purdy thinks about it.

6 6 EXT. SMITH HOUSE - DAY
A reluctant Johnny coming out of the house with BRUCE moving toward Bruce's P-T Cruiser in the driveway. Midconversation, fast, overlapping dialogue:

(beat)

Johnny looks phobic. But Bruce is full of confidence in him, smiles encouragingly.

As they reach the car, Johnny takes a deep breath, gathering courage. He looks at Bruce and nods okay, let's do it.

(off Bruce's look)

Johnny opens the driver's door, ready to take the wheel...

Bruce sighs and throws him the keys, still nervous. As
they get in --

10 10 INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Students still filtering out... no one paying much attention to Johnny... it's all terribly familiar and to Johnny it seems like almost yesterday that he was in this hall...
NEW ANGLE
as Johnny passes the janitor's closet where he had covert liaisons with Sarah. On a whim, he tries the door. As he touches the knob --
11 11 A JOHNNY FLASH - SARAH AND JOHNNY from the pilot kissing in the closet.

The flash ends as we...
12 12 RESUME SCENE
Johnny opens the closet door but it's filled with the most daunting array of electronic and computer support gear imaginable...

Johnny turns to see a young woman behind him...

The student is a little perplexed about why this guy cares about a janitor's closet...

A beat as Johnny stares at the kid wondering what she said.

(student acknowledges)
Johnny moves down the hall. Ahead of him, SARAH carrying teacher's materials in her arms, comes hurriedly out of a classroom... her face brightens at the sight of him...

(she grins)

A beat as they share the intimate memories of times here... raising feelings that are to be avoided, so Sarah avoids them:

(sorry she ever started this since the answer is Johnny's coma)

A school bell rings.

(beat)

(a warm smile)

He smiles as she moves hurriedly to exit...

13 13 INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
Pelson has the same headlined paper we saw earlier as he talks heatedly on the phone...

(beat)

(beat)

14 14 INT. OUTER OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
where Johnny waits. Pelson comes out.

Before Johnny can avoid it, Pelson puts an arm on his shoulder to escort him in... and as he touches him --
15 15 A JOHNNY FLASH - PELSON ON THE PHONE
just as we saw him seconds ago:
PELSON
...He's not a 'nut', Superintendent...
And the flash ends...

16 16 CONTINUING ACTION AS BEFORE
Johnny hesitating just a beat as the flash passes... Pelson barely notices...

16A 16A INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
As they move to sit...

Johnny looks at him with appreciation.

Pelson smiles, delighted.

17 17 INT. HOCKEY ARENA - DAY
A high school hockey team on the ice practicing.
18 18 ANGLE - COACH FOLEY late 30s, the build of a former marine, the bellow of a drill sergeant... he's standing with the father (BILL PALEY (45) of one of the players, TODD PALEY (18), a sturdy, outstanding athlete who is far superior to anyone else on the ice.

Todd skates by, glances over, picks up the pace...

As Paley sees Johnny entering...

As Foley turns to see Johnny who sure doesn't look like a hockey coach as he walks with his cane...

He gives an encouraging pat on the shoulder to Paley, moves away as he yells to the kids...

As the skaters move into drills, Foley moves away from Todd's dad to greet Johnny.

He sticks out his hand. Johnny hesitates a second but there is no easy way out of it and he shakes Foley's hand... nothing happens... Johnny breathes a sigh of relief...

ANGLE - A DOCTOR (COOPER, 50)
is rotating the shoulder of a player, pats him on the back, he's okay, and sends him back on the ice...

The doc acknowledges but he studies Johnny who turns to
watch the drills...

It's said evenly, with vague suspicion. Johnny nods and Cooper doesn't pursue it. Johnny watches with interest as... TODD moves smoothly on offense as the defense tries in vain to stop him... he fakes left, goes right... splits two defenders, beats the goalie and scores.

Johnny glances over to the father who is several yards away watching the action.

Todd skates over... takes off his helmet... Calhoun moves over a beat later... smiles victoriously, maybe even bumps shoulders with Todd, teasing him...

Todd looks to the new man with a cane...

He gives Todd a friendly, teasing push... then returns to
the ice..
MOVING WITH TODD AND JOHNNY into a defensive position... helmet still off... (note: Johnny doesn't touch him here)...

(off his dumb look)

Todd smiles, puts his helmet back on. His father looks on at this counseling session with curiosity. Johnny moves to the sidelines with Foley, leaving the two boys on the ice... he blows the whistle... CALHOUN catches the pass and skates toward Todd. TODD eyes looking for 'tells', waiting for the confrontation...

FOLEY, COOPER, MR. PALEY AND THE OTHER KIDS
watch from the sidelines... WIDER as Calhoun moves toward Todd, Calhoun turns his right shoulder toward the left board and takes a quick step. As Todd turns with him, Calhoun throws the puck back to his right, in-between Todd's feet. But Todd holds his ground and puts his shoulder right into Calhoun's chest, and both tumble to the ice. REACTIONS as Calhoun whoops and the kids cheer: "All right, Todd! Way to go!"... Mr. Paley is forced to smile... Johnny smiles and moves to Todd on the ice...

He rights himself, takes off his helmet as he sits on the
ice a beat resting a beat...

Todd reaches out and holds Johnny's arm to steady himself as he rises... as he does - CLOSE-UP - JOHNNY reacts as he looks at... TODD'S HAND ON HIS ARM AND AN INCREDIBLE VISION BEGINS as his sight goes into Todd's hand... through the skin and tendons and bones and into an artery... zooming through the red blood like a water slide... all the way into a beating heart... and there the motion ends... thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump... and as we hold the shot for a beat... hear the whisper of Vera's voice...
VERA (V.O.)
Heed the still, small voice when it comes.
On the shock of her voice... EXTREME CLOSE UP OF JOHNNY as he reacts, confused... in the background, Todd moves over to congratulate Calhoun...

21A 21A EXT. SCHOOL - DAY
Kids are arriving at school... lots of socializing going
on... finding Johnny (dressed as he is scene 24) walking
up the sidewalk, glancing over to see --
21B 21B P.O.V. - TODD AND FRIENDS SEVERAL YARDS AWAY UNDER A TREE
including one pretty girl who might almost have a passing
resemblence to a young Sarah. Todd sees Johnny, waves...
SARAH (O.S.)
Bring back memories?
21C 21C FINDING SARAH
who's joined him... she has a light shoulder bag...
JOHNNY
Morning.
SARAH
We spent a few hours under that
tree.
JOHNNY
We spent a few years under that
tree. That was our tree. They
should be paying us rent.
SARAH
Aw, let's let 'em have it for
free. In the name of school
spirit.
Johnny grins but his mind is occupied about Todd. She
notices as they stroll slowly toward the school...
SARAH
Something wrong?
Johnny doesn't answer right away, sighs...
JOHNNY
The boy under the tree... Todd
Paley?
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/7/02 - GOLD-2 19A.
21C CONTINUED: 21C
SARAH
(acknowledges)
The hockey player...
JOHNNY
Had a very strange vision about
him yesterday during practice...
I could see straight into his
heart...
SARAH
(reacts)
His heart. Is something wrong
with it?
He pauses in his walk, mind trying to unlock the mystery...
The bell rings... the kids move quickly inside...
JOHNNY
That's the thing -- I don't know.
These visions don't come with
footnotes. I'm not always sure
what they mean... I'm still a
rookie at this...
As Todd passes...
TODD
Hey, Coach, I hear you're subbing
in history today -- I've got you
first period...
JOHNNY
I want to talk to you after
class...
Todd acknowledges, runs off... Sarah reacts to the news,
pleased for Johnny...
SARAH
You're in the classroom today...!
JOHNNY
(acknowledges, a tad
nervous)
First time in almost seven years...
SARAH
Just remember they think they can
get away with anything when you're
a sub... Bradford, watch out for
Bradford... and Greenberg, that
little twerp...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/3/02 - WHT-2 20.
21C CONTINUED: (2) 21C
They enter the school...
22 22 OMITTED
AND AND
23 23
24 24 INT. HISTORY CLASSROOM - DAY
Close on GREENBERG, 18, chatting up a pretty girl in the
back row as Johnny enters...
JOHNNY
Good morning. As you may have
heard, Miss Rosen won't be here
for a few days... my name is Mr.
Smith...
His eyes connect with Todd Paley who is also in the
classroom. Student #1 is also in this class. As he puts
his name on the board, Greenberg exchanges knowing glances
with some of his buddies...
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Just plain S-M-I-T-H. But you
can call me John, or you can call
me Johnny, or if you're more
comfortable, Mr. Smith... or even
hey 'you'... anything as long as
it isn't 'Smitty'.
(Todd smiles)
Now, who can tell me what chapter
you're studying?
GREENBERG
Chapter twelve.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/11/02 - BLUE 21.
24 CONTINUED: 24
Johnny opens the book...
CLOSE ON THE WORLD HISTORY BOOK (FX)
as he turns pages... and a brief visual effect as his
hand reaches the page that says Chapter Twelve...
JOHNNY
reacts, looks up...
JOHNNY
Are you absolutely certain, Mr...
GREENBERG
Greenberg, sir.
JOHNNY
Ah, Mr. Greenberg.
Johnny strolls down the aisle toward Greenberg...
JOHNNY
Because something tells me you
studied chapter twelve last week.
Which means you'd already know
the material and wouldn't have to
pay any attention at all today.
GREENBERG
(reacts)
I meant we just finished twelve.
Johnny touches Greenberg's desk...
JOHNNY
This isn't your assigned seat, is
it, Mr. Greenberg?
GREENBERG
We actually don't have...
JOHNNY
Let's see -- right there in front,
that's your seat, isn't it? Away
from all the 'distractions' like
Miss Carlyle back here. Who else
is not in their normal seat?
Half the class stands up and switches seats...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/15/02 - GREEN 22.
24 CONTINUED: (2) 24
STUDENT#1
(quietly freaking out)
Excuse me, but wasn't there
something about you in the
newspaper?
And of course Johnny knew this would be coming... he's
thought about how to handle it...
JOHNNY
How do you feel about that?
The girl shrugs an I-don't-know...
JOHNNY
I might just be your worst
nightmare, people. A substitute
teacher with extra sensory
perception.
A beat as he walks to the teacher's desk and opens the
top drawer...
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Or... maybe... I checked...
(holding the chart up)
...the seating chart... when I
came in this morning.
He holds it up and grins. The kids laugh and relax.
GREENBERG
Yo, Mr. Smith, do you know who's
going to win the super bowl next
year?
JOHNNY
No, but I know who won The Hundred
Year's War - the question's whether
you do. The answer can be found
in chapter thirteen...
25 25 INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - CONCURRENT TIME
Dana pursuing Pelson...
DANA
You must have known that hiring
Johnny Smith would generate...
(understatement)
...interest in the community...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/15/02 - GREEN 23.
25 CONTINUED: 25
PELSON
So he's never supposed to work
again? He happens to be a helluva
teacher. And you can quote me on
that.
DANA
I will. Thank-you.
PELSON
(we're finished)
I'm all for freedom of the press.
But I have a school to run.
He pauses at the door to his office...
PELSON
It doesn't bother you at all,
does it. What you're doing to
him.
DANA
Why does everyone always want to
kill the messenger? I didn't
hire him. You did. And when you
did, it became news. If I don't
report it, someone else will.
Pelson gives her a look, shakes his head and enters his
office. On her reaction...
26 26 INT. CLASSROOM - SAME STUDENTS TOWARD THE END OF CLASS
Johnny has been collecting reports from the students...
but now has reached one student (BRADFORD) who is
unprepared... and is making excuses for his late
assignment...
BRADFORD
Sir, I... I... I admit... it's
not quite finished but it's not
my fault... I swear...
ANGLE WITH GREENBERG AND TODD
as Bradford hands Johnny a couple of handwritten lined
pages out of his looseleaf... whispering --
STUDENT#1
(to Todd)
How did he even know the reports
were due today?
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/15/02 - GREEN 24.
26 CONTINUED: 26
TODD
Miss Rosen must've told him.
STUDENT#1
You think?
Student#1 is unconvinced.
RESUME JOHNNY AND BRADFORD
as a VISION begins off his touch of the papers...
BRADFORD (CONT'D)
See, I found this great site about
the history of France on the
internet...
The classroom behind Bradford disappears and changes into --
27 27 A DISCO WITH WILD PARTYING
Bradford is holding a bottle of beer in one hand, a cigar
in the other... Johnny stands there, watching...
BRADFORD (CONT'D)
...I worked all night taking notes
and typing them into my computer.
I was going to print it in the
morning before I came to school...
And now the background changes back...
28 28 INT. CLASSROOM
BRADFORD (CONT'D)
But when I got up I found all the
wires behind my computer were
like chewed up and...
JOHNNY
The dog ate your computer.
BRADFORD
Actually, I was going for rats.
JOHNNY
Mr. Bradford, you're certainly
creative, not to mention a good
dancer. But lay off the cigars
and beer.
He gives the kid a look: he knows.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/11/02 - BLUE 25.
28 CONTINUED: 28
The rest of the class cracks up as Bradford sits, busted.
To the class --
JOHNNY
And since Mr. Bradford brought up
the subject, who can tell me why
beer was so expensive in the middle
ages? Most people back then
couldn't afford to get drunk,
why?
GREENBERG
Potato famine.
JOHNNY
Interesting answer but the last
time I checked beer doesn't come
from potatoes. Anyone?
The bell rings ending class... the kids slowly rise...
JOHNNY
The answer tomorrow, same time,
same station.
They file out, murmuring among themselves about their
very unusual, very entertaining sub...
JOHNNY
How's that hip pointer?
TODD
Fine. No big deal.
JOHNNY
Have Doc Cooper take a look, okay?
TODD
Really, I'm...
JOHNNY
Do me the favor. Just a
precaution.
(re:cane)
Trust me, you don't want to have
to use one of these.
Todd shrugs, okay, exits, calling back.
TODD
Mr. Smith. Good class.
Johnny nods his thanks. He moves down the hall; Johnny,
mind working, watches him go...
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/11/02 - BLUE 26.
29 29 INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Johnny is still thinking about Todd as he walks...
suddenly, Dana moves up and walks beside him...
DANA
How's it feel to be back?
He's not happy to see her.
JOHNNY
What are you doing here?
DANA
I can't resist a human interest
story.
Johnny shakes his head in disgust, tries to ignore her.
DANA
You and I need to be friends,
Johnny. Reporters like me are
going to be a part of your life
now...
JOHNNY
Only for fifteen minutes. Isn't
that how it works?
DANA
You're good for at least twenty
if my hunch is right.
As they turn a corner, they run into Sarah who can't help
but react to seeing Johnny with a beautiful woman...
SARAH
Oh, hi...
JOHNNY
Dana, Sarah...
DANA
The Sheriff's wife... sure...
I've seen you at the station
house... I cover the police beat...
SARAH
What brings you here?
DANA
Johnny's on my beat now.
Sarah's eyes narrow a little.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/5/02 - PINK-2 27.
29 CONTINUED: 29
JOHNNY
Sarah and I used to teach here
together.
And Dana knows all about them...
DANA
(dry)
Yes. So I've heard. Could I ask
you a few questions about him?
Johnny looks to Sarah, shakes his head, no.
SARAH
You can ask all you want.
(but I won't answer
them, smiles to Johnny)
See ya.
She moves down the hall...
JOHNNY
(to Dana)
My friends are very loyal.
DANA
A good reporter and her subject
can be a team, Johnny... they can
help each other... like Cosell
and Ali...
Johnny moves away from Dana in the opposite direction
from Sarah leaving her standing alone.
JOHNNY
Have a nice day.
Dana looks at him leave, glances back toward Sarah, thinks
about it...
30 30 OMITTED
30A 30A EXT. SCHOOL - DAY
Doc Cooper is moving from his car away from the school
carrying medical supplies...
JOHNNY (O.S.)
Hey, doc...!
Cooper looks to see Johnny moving quickly toward him from
the school...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/7/02 - GOLD-2 27A.
30A CONTINUED: 30A
JOHNNY
Going over to the rink?
COOPER
(acknowledges)
Getting ready for tonight's game.
JOHNNY
Can I talk to you a sec about
Todd Paley. I've asked him to
come by and see you.
COOPER
The hip again?
JOHNNY
Well, yeah but... has he ever had
any other health problems?
Cooper's curiosity is immediately up...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/5/02 - PINK-2 28.
30A CONTINUED: (2) 30A
DOC COOPER
Just the usual aches and pains...
Todd plays hard. Why?
Johnny takes a long beat, there's no easy way so he gets
to the point.
JOHNNY
Never any... heart problems?
DOC COOPER
Heart? Has he complained of any
symptoms...? Shortness of breath.
Numbness in...
JOHNNY
...No...
DOC COOPER
But you think he has heart
problems.
Cooper begins to suspect where Johnny is coming from and
doesn't like it one bit.
DOC COOPER
Listen, there's something you and
I should get straight right now.
I don't believe in this psychic
nonsense...
JOHNNY
Then just think of me as a coach
asking you to examine a kid with
a sore hip pointer... and as the
team doctor, be sure to give him
a clean bill of health before he
plays tonight. That's your job,
right?
The two men stare at one another. After a beat, the doc
nods and moves on. On Johnny's reaction...
31 31 EXT. BANNERMAN HOUSE - EVENING - ESTABLISHING
32 32 INT. BANNERMAN DINING ROOM - EVENING
Sarah, Walt and little Johnny having dinner.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/14/02 - YELLOW 29.
32 CONTINUED: 32
SARAH
That girl reporter was at school
today.
WALT
Reporter?
SARAH
You know, what's her name?
(she knows the name)
Redhead, with the big...
WALT
Dana Bright?
SARAH
How did you know what I was going
to say?
WALT
You said 'redhead with the big'.
SARAH
I didn't even say what was big
about her and you said 'Dana
Bright'.
WALT
'Girl reporter', 'redhead', 'the
big'... I'm a trained investigator.
What was she doing at school?
SARAH
Another story on Johnny.
LITTLE JOHNNY
On me?
SARAH
No, my friend Johnny, remember
him?
WALT
The funny man with the cane.
LITTLE JOHNNY
Not him again.
He goes back to his dinner...
WALT
Tell him to stay away from Dana
Bright.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/13/02 - PINK 30.
32 CONTINUED: (2) 32
SARAH
Oh?
WALT
She's a carnivore.
SARAH
What does that mean?
WALT
You know like the jungle. Certain
animals are meat eaters and certain
animals are...
SARAH
Which one am I?
Walt chews... doesn't want any part of this.
WALT
Anything interesting happen at
school today, J-J?
LITTLE JOHNNY
No.
Sarah throws Walt a dark look.
SARAH
Excuse me while I see if there're
any leafy green plants to eat in
the kitchen.
She promptly rises and carries her plate in the kitchen.
Walt chews.
LITTLE JOHNNY
What's wrong with her?
WALT
Nothing. Just the call of the
wild. You'll understand when you
get older.
LITTLE JOHNNY
I hate when you say that.
33 33 INT. ARENA - NIGHT
Fans are beginning to move into the arena in the
background... the teams are beginning to warm up on the
ice.
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/15/02 - GOLD 31.
33A 33A INT. COACH'S BOX
Foley is talking to one of the players when Johnny's
arrival catches his eye... he pats the young man with
encouragement, moves to Johnny, concern in his eyes...
they're alone...
FOLEY
What's this I hear about you and
Todd Paley?
JOHNNY
I just asked the doc...
FOLEY
The doc was pretty unhappy, Smitty.
And I am too. This is a good
kid, strong as an ox, and if you're
thinking steroids, forget it... I
watch these kids like they were
my own...
JOHNNY
I know, coach.
The doc arriving from the locker room joins them...
DOC COOPER
I listened to his heart, checked
his blood pressure, even did an
EKG. I'm recommending him for a
medal from the American Heart
Association.
Foley gives Johnny a look that says, 'See?, Everything's
fine.'
FOLEY
(a controlled reprimand)
Come to me with something like
this in the future, okay?
Then puts it behind him to concentrate on the game, moves
to his team... Johnny reacts... not quite able to believe
there's nothing to worry about.
34 34 OMITTED
AND AND
35 35
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 03/13/02 - PINK 32.
36 36 INT. ARENA - THE GAME - VARIOUS SHOTS
Possible music cue - song would be against expectations -
low key and brooding...
We're focusing on Todd's play... his breath white in the
cold air... pushing himself and his team... scoring...
the crowd cheers... some of this can be in slow motion...
Johnny watches him with concern...
Pelson, in the crowd, cheers the action...
Todd falls to the ice and stays there for a beat... Johnny
reacts but Todd quickly gets himself up and gets back
into the game...
Foley yelling at a ref over a call... the ref signaling a
technical foul on the coach... which only makes Foley
more animated...
Finally, music ends, and we burst into real sound as the
horn sounds and the Huskies have won...
37 37 INT. COACHING BOX
As the players come off the ice and there are
congratulations all around...
FOLEY
Not bad. Not bad. A win's a
win. Defense still needs work.
But I'll take it. Calhoun, you
looked okay out there for a change.
We're still leaving too much of
the offense to Todd...
Todd's face is red and he's tired but he smiles as the
coach rambles on in his inimitable way... Todd exchanges
a glance with Johnny who has to smile, pleased that nothing
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT TWO - 6/3/02 - WHT-2 33.
37 CONTINUED: 37
happened out there. As he moves past Johnny...
TODD
First win for you, coach.
He hands Johnny his stick and on the touch... we push
into Johnny as he sees ---
37A 37A A VISION - SLOW MOTION - FX
Todd is skating... on the ice, he rounds the corner and
his face scowls with horrible pain and as he collapses,
in a continuous pan, finding Johnny standing there on the
ice, watching as other kids rush toward him...
38 38 FROM OVERHEAD - WHITE ICE
filling the screen... a black spec on the white just off
center... the camera zooms... slowly at first then faster
and faster and faster, sweeping toward the black spec
which grows in scope and finally reveals itself to be a
player lying on the ice... as the other players reach him
and kneel down beside him, zooming to see the face of
Todd Paley... continuing to an eye frozen in death. Again,
his mother's voice whispers:
VERA (V.O.)
Heed the still small voice when
it comes.
The vision ends as we...
38A 38A RESUME JOHNNY
whose body visibly sags from the impact but in the
celebration of the moment, no one notices.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 03/14/02 - YELLOW 34.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
39 39 INT. PRINCIPAL'S OUTER OFFICE - DAY (NEXT MORNING)
Three mothers are confronting Pelson. The spokesPARENT
(30) is holding a newspaper; an article about Johnny
teaching at the high school, written by Dana Bright, is
in clear display... Headline: "Teacher By Day, Psychic
Deputy By Night"...
PARENT
Why would you hire a man with
mental problems...?
PELSON
They aren't mental problems.
I've talked to his doctors, there's
absolutely no danger...
PARENT
(overlapping his last
line)
Excuse me but a guy who says he
sees things like the future has a
mental prob--...
PELSON
(overlapping)
He happens to be a great teacher...
ask your kids...
PARENT
(overlapping)
I can't speak for any one else
but I don't want him around my...
Suddenly, she goes quiet as she realizes...
ANGLE - JOHNNY
is standing there. The parents all look at him with
suspicion.
JOHNNY
(dry)
Am I interrupting something?
Johnny looks around the room. The parents avoid eye
contact.
JOHNNY
Mr. Pelson, when you have a minute,
could I talk to you ?
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 03/15/02 - GOLD 35.
39 CONTINUED: 39
PELSON
Come into my office. I think
we're finished here.
Johnny moves through the parents and most let him pass
but the spokeswoman deliberately stands in his way and
just stares at Johnny... Johnny can actually see hate in
her eyes...
PELSON
Excuse us.
Pelson deftly moves the woman out of the way and leads
Johnny into his office and closes the door... as the
parents react and filter out...
40 40 INT. PELSON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
PELSON
The same parents were complaining
last week about the new cheerleader
uniforms and the week before that,
the school play. I can handle
them.
JOHNNY
You may not want to after I tell
you why I'm here.
PELSON
(sighs)
Todd Paley?
(Johnny acknowledges)
Coach Foley cornered me after the
game. I thought it was settled
last night.
JOHNNY
We can't let him go back on the
ice.
PELSON
Because you... 'saw' something.
Johnny acknowledges. Pelson sighs.
PELSON
John, what do you expect me to do -
bench a kid who has no symptoms,
no history of problems, without a
shred of medical evidence...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 03/15/02 - GOLD 36.
40 CONTINUED: 40
JOHNNY
We'll get it. We have to get him
to a specialist.
PELSON
And scare the boy and his family
half to death.
JOHNNY
That's only half as bad as the
alternative.
Pelson studies him a beat...
PELSON
(beat)
Are they always right, these...
things you see?
JOHNNY
It's all very new to me. I'm
still trying to understand them
myself.
PELSON
So it's possible you could be
mistaken.
(before Johnny can
protest)
You were already worried about
Todd before the game last night.
And nothing happened, he's fine.
JOHNNY
I think we were lucky.
PELSON
Or you were wrong. It's a
reasonable conclusion, John. Can
you really trust these visions?
Slow push to Johnny as that central question resonates in
his mind...
PELSON
You think keeping him off the ice
will save his life. Maybe. Maybe
not. But I can tell you one thing
it would certainly accomplish...
It would cost him his scholarship
to Princeton and blow every hope
and dream this kid has out of the
water.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 03/15/02 - GOLD 37.
40 CONTINUED: (2) 40
PELSON (CONT'D)
(beat)
That's an awfully big price to
ask someone to pay... if you're
wrong, John.
41 41 OMITTED
THRU THRU
44 44
44A 44A INT. HOCKEY ARENA - DESERTED
Johnny enters, preoccupied, looks down and reacts as he
sees Little Johnny practicing his hockey, bring the puck
down the ice... Sarah is seated near the ice, watching...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 6/4/02 - BLUE-2 38.
44A CONTINUED: 44A
POV - CLOSER - LITTLE JOHNNY SKATING
SLOW PUSH TO JOHNNY
And he's asking himself what he would do if he saw his
own son at risk from playing like Todd Paley... he looks
up and reacts as he sees something across the deserted
stands...
44B 44B HIS POV - LONG SHOT - A SINGLE PERSON SITTING IN THE
STANDS
In fact, a woman... and in this hazy arena light, she
looks almost like an apparition... she looks very much
like Vera from the dream...
44C 44C JOHNNY
reacts... begins to move toward her...
INTERCUTTING:
44D 44D THE WOMAN - AS HE GETS CLOSER
but then...
44E 44E JOHNNY - AS A SHAFT OF SUNLIGHT MOMENTARILY BLINDS
44F 44F HIS POV OF THE WOMAN - BLINDED
for an instant and when it clears, she's gone.
44G 44G JOHNNY
reacts... takes a moment, thinks about what it means...
and this time he doesn't hear it, he says it to himself...
JOHNNY
(barely a murmer)
Heed the still small voice when
it comes.
45 45 EXT. PALEY HOUSE - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
A very modest house in a middle income neighborhood.
Johnny takes a beat to make the final decision, then rings
the doorbell.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 6/5/02 - PINK-2 39.
45 CONTINUED: 45
A beat later the door opens to reveal MRS. PALEY, 40,
Todd's mother...
JOHNNY
Mrs. Paley?
MRS. PALEY
Yes?
JOHNNY
My name is Johnny Smith. I'm one
of Todd's coaches at school.
She looks at him dubiously.
MRS. PALEY
I've heard about you. Todd isn't
here.
JOHNNY
Would you mind if I come in for a
moment?
45A 45A OMITTED
46 46 INT. PALEY HOUSE - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
Sitting in the living room with Mrs. Paley and her husband.
This is a religious family; there is a Christian icon on
the wall behind the Paleys, perhaps a simple cross. Johnny
has just finished telling them that he fears for their
son's life. They are speechless. And the first oh, maybe
five seconds of this scene are these two alarmed people
staring at this strange man in their home. Finally, Mrs.
Paley finds some words.
MRS. PALEY
He's... he's never been seriously
ill his life. He eats right...
he takes care of himself...
JOHNNY
Mrs. Paley, sometimes these things
can be congenital.
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 6/3/02 - WHT-2 40.
46 CONTINUED: 46
Todd's father doesn't let him finish... he's seething...
MR. PALEY
(interrupting)
My son means everything to me,
Mr. Smith. And hockey means
everything to my son...
JOHNNY
...I understand that, sir...
Paley locks eyes with Johnny...
MR. PALEY
I know you're an old friend of
the principal... I wasn't one of
those who complained when he
brought you back... Coach said
you knew the game. So I said
okay, fine, let's wait and see.
Well, we have now and I have to
tell you, I don't understand how
someone like you is allowed to
walk the streets...
MRS. PALEY
...Bill...
MR. PALEY (CONT'D)
...Let alone teach at our school
around our kids... You're a
dangerous man, Mr. Smith...
Mr. Paley locks eyes with him... Johnny doesn't know what
to say. A long beat.
MR. PALEY (CONT'D)
I want you out of my house.
During the above, they hear a door slam... Todd moves
into view, looks at the scene in front of him with curious
eyes... his father never turns away from Johnny...
(CONTINUED)
DEAD ZONE: QUALITY OF LIFE - ACT THREE - 03/15/02 - GOLD 41.
46 CONTINUED: (2) 46
Johnny exchanges an uneasy glance with a confused Todd,
rises, leaves...
47 47 OMITTED
AND AND
48 48
48A 48A EXT. SMITH HOUSE - DUSK - ESTABLISHING
48B 48B INT. SMITH HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Johnny is working on strengthening his leg on a weight
machine... sweating heavily... taking out his feelings on
the weights... when the doorbell rings...
Johnny gets off the machine, wipes himself with a towel...
AT THE DOOR
he opens it and finds Todd standing there...
TODD
I made them tell me.
JOHNNY
(nods)
Come in, Todd.
Todd enters.
TODD
I feel fine.
Johnny closes the door.
TODD (CONT'D) &