THE SIMPSONS "SEPTEMBER MORN" WRITTEN By DANA L GOUDREAULT Page 2.
Act One SCENE 1 FADE IN: EXT. A BRIGHT BLUE SKY - MORNING Unlike any other Simpsons opening, a bright blue screen is held for the opening moments as the voice of Lisa Simpson is heard. LISA It's been many years since that fateful day in September, when the lives of so many of us on this planet were changed
forever in a matter of minutes, the reverberations of those cataclysmic moments still being felt throughout the world today and will continue to do so for many generations to come. LISA (CONT'D) Every person has a personal insight into the tragedy, every family a story of how things were before and after the events that struck New York, Washington, and a small field in Shanksville Pennsylvania. The list seems endless of communities that were affected by the loss of so many people on that day who were from other parts of the country, the world even, whose family members and friends
continue to mourn their loss. Page 3.
LISA (CONT'D) This is my personal recollection of the events of that day, September 11th, 2001 and how they affected the lives of people here in Springfield. Oddly enough, as tragedy was about to befall us, my family, like most others, started out that tuesday morning like any other, though my last recollection
of that morning before the tragedy struck is of my Mom uncharacteristicly striking my Dad with, of all things, a frying pan...and right in the presense of our neighbor, Mr. Flanders. LISA (CONT'D) I picture the chaos that morning in our home just prior to the absolute tragedy of the events that were to follow and...I can not help being reminded of the old adage, "tell those dear to you that you love them at every oppurtunity." In a reversal of normal openings, grey clouds enter the blue screen as the words "The Simpsons" appears. FADE IN EXT.SPRINGFIELD CITY HALL - MORNING A large banner reading:
INTERNATIONAL KRUSTFEST TOUR 2001 Page 4. is seen hanging from the front of the building.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SPRINGFIELD CITY HALL - CONTINUOUS
Inside the Mayor's office, Krusty, Kent Brockman and Sideshow Mel are chatting as Quimby enters the room.
QUIMBY
OK you guys, I've got our flight
itinerary. Here's the best deal
Springfield could buy.
They all stare at the itinerary.
KENT
What in the world? A flight to the west
coast via a connection out of Boston?
KRUSTY
Boston? Oh, oh...I can't set foot in
Massachusetts, there's a guy in Nantucket
waiting for me with a canoe full of glue.
QUIMBY
Angry ex-husband? Page 5.
KRUSTY
Nah...(LOOKING AT KENT) Remember that correspondents dinner at the White House in 96 and you brought me along to crack a few jokes?
KENT
Oh my, do I ever! "Go Baby!"
QUIMBY (interjecting)
Relax fellas, it's the best I could do utilizing the town's emergency funds.
MEL
Which agent did you use?
QUIMBY
I went through err, ah...Bottomline.com.
KRUSTY, MEL & KENT
BOTTOMLINE?!!
QUIMBY
Yes, and after their 1st and final offer,
I accepted and saved nearly 5 percent!
KENT
Well, this is starting out gloriously. 45 extra minutes in the air? Thanks Mayor. Page 6.
KRUSTY
Hey, at least we end up in LA LA Land, where the odds of scoring a nice looking chick are the best a clown can hope for.
QUIMBY
You ain't just whistlin' Dixie chicks, clown!
MEL
Please, let's not forget, we are there to represent the best of Springfield.
KENT
I'm not forgetting. I'm in line for a News Emmy for calling that fiasco in Florida right on the nose...and just minutes after the voting booths had opened! That's award winning coverage. KRUSTY You're the man, Kent. Krusty and Kent high-five each other. FADE OUT: Page 7.
Act One SCENE 2 FADE IN: EXT: SIMPSONS FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS The time of 6:02am is shown. Ned and the two boys are standing at the front door of the Simpsons. Ned rings the doorbell. Marge answers the door. NED Good diddly mornin to ya, Marge. MARGE Oh, good morning Ned. Good morning boy's. ROD & TODD Good morning Mrs.Simpson. NED Well, I sure do appreciate you and Homer looking after my two angels while I'm away. Having neighbor's like you is a true blessing from god, that's an absolutely, irrefutably, true fact-a- doodily! Ned bends down to hug his kids. NED (CONT'D) Now boys, you listen to your Aunt Marge and Uncle Homer. ROD & TODD We will. NED
I'm sure you will. Ned gives them both a big hug and kiss. Page 8.
NED (CONT'D)
I love you boy's.
Rod & Todd smile brightly.
ROD & TODD
We love you too Daddy.
Marge is looking on and smiling.
MARGE
They'll be just fine, Ned. You just
enjoy your couple days in the big apple
and have a safe flight there and back.
NED
Thanks Marge, I certainly will. I'm really
looking forward to meeting other members
of the National Chapter of Helping Hands.
I'm hoping our flight arrives on schedule
so I can do some sightseeing before the
meeting. (LOOKING TO THE BOYS) I'll try
and drop you guy's a post card from one
of the sites. How's that sound?
ROD & TODD
Yeaahhhhhh!!! Page 9.
MARGE OK Ned...Oh! I almost forgot. It's going to be such a nice day today, I was thinking the kids might like to get an early start and walk to school this morning. Is that okay with you? NED Hmmmmmm...sounds okay to me, what do you think boys?
Rod & Todd look worried. ROD I don't know...there could be strangers. TODD What if we get lost? The two boys hold each other tightly. Ned puts his arms around both of them. NED Boys, boys...everything is gonna be just fine. You'll be with Bart and Lisa. Their faces brighten slightly. NED (CONT'D) It'll be a great adventure, just like Davey and Goliath have every afternoon! Their faces start to crack a big smile. ROD & TODD Yeaahhhhhh!!!
Ned begins to walk off, waving back to Marge and the two boys. Page 10.
NED Good bye kids, see you in a couple days! ROD & TODD GOOD BYE DADDY!!! NED Goodbye boys! Bye Marge, and thanks again! MARGE Your welcome Ned! Anytime! Ned drives off , blowing the horn and returning the waves from Marge and the two boys.
FADE OUT: Page 11.
Act One SCENE 3 FADE IN: INT. SIMPSONS KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS The time of 6:20am is shown. Bart, Lisa and Homer enter the kitchen where Marge is getting breakfast for Rod and Todd. MARGE Bart, Lisa, you'll be walking to school this morning with Rod and Todd.
LISA Hi Rod, hi Todd. That'll be a nice change of pace. ROD Good morning Lisa, good morning Bart. BART Umm, mom, walking? What the hell's wrong with the car? Rodd and Todd cover their ears, wincing in pain. RODD Bart said a swear word! TODD Oww! Make him stop! HOMER (PANICKED) Something's wrong with the car?
Homer grabs Marge by the shoulders. Page 12.
HOMER (CONT'D)
What's wrong with the car, Marge??!
MARGE
Relax Homer, it's just that Rod & Todd...
Homer, jumping to conclusions, quickly turns and glares at Rod and Todd. Their faces are smiling angelically.
HOMER
You broke my car?! ARGGHHH!!!!!!
Rod and Todd run for their lives and we see Homer chasing them throughout the house and Marge is chasing after Homer. Bart, Lisa and Maggie are still sitting at the table, nonchalantly eating their breakfast.
BART
(SLYLY) So Lis', front seat or back?
The doorbell rings.
LISA
(FROWNING) I'll get it.
Lisa walks to the front door and opens it. It's Ned.
NED
Why hello Lisa.
LISA
(NERVOUSLY) Hello...Mr. Flanders.
Lisa looks back over her shoulder as the commotion from the house gets Ned's attention.
LISA (CONT'D)
Did you forget something? Page 13.
NED Well...(KEEPS LOOKING OVER LISA'S SHOULDER) I started feeling a tad bit guilty about not taking the boys to see the big city and... Homer's angry voice and a child's scream drown out Ned. Ned raises his voice. NED (CONT'D) ...thought I might ask Rod and Todd if they would like to accompany me afterall.
Marge runs by with a frying pan. MARGE Hello Ned! She runs up the stairs. NED Hel..hello Marge. What in world is going on?! The commotion reaches it's peak. Lisa raises her voice as high as she can. LISA I think it's about to... A loud thud of a frying pan hitting its target brings a quiet to the house. LISA (CONT'D) ...quiet down! (NERVOUSLY) Heh, heh, heh. Ned steps in and watches as Marge comes down the stairs and Rod and Todd come running to their father. Page 14.
ROD & TODD
Daddy, Daddy!
ROD
Uncle Homer was trying to hurt us!
NED
Whaaat??
He looks to Marge. Marge nervously hides the frying pan behind her back.
MARGE
I'm sorry Ned, Homer was just playing a
scary game with the boys.
Bart enters the room.
BART
Yeah, we call it "Angry Dad".
MARGE
BART!
Homer comes stumbling down the stairs, holding his head, where a large egg is forming.
MARGE (CONT'D)
The boys are fine Ned. Homer and I would
never, ever endanger them.
HOMER
Ooowwww...your two brats ruined our car
Flanders! Why didn't you tell us they
can't drive?!
Ned gasps in shock, and watches as Marge cracks Homer with the frying pan again. Page 15.
NED
Kids, I'm so very, very sorry I left you
behind. Please forgive me.
Rod and Todd grab hold of Ned and sob softly.
MARGE
Really Ned, nothing happened. You're
getting the wrong impression.
As Marge follows Ned and the kids out the door and down the walkway, Bart yells out from just inside the door.
BART
(SLYLY) Mommmmm, where are the car keys?
Me and Lisa gotta get to school.
Ned turns an angry look at Marge.
MARGE
BART! (NERVOUSLY) Heh, heh, heh.
Ned gathers the kids into the car and then walks around to side of the car.
MARGE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry Ned. Please forgive us.
Ned breathes a deep sigh and looks toward the sky for a moment. Then a calmer face looks to Marge.
NED
It's forgiven, Marge.
MARGE
Oh, thank you, Ned.
NED
But, it's not forgotten. Page 16.
He climbs into his car and drives off. The angelic faces of Rod and Todd are smiling at marge. She waves goodbye and they wave back. Ned beeps the horn and Marge continues waving until their car disappears over the hillside. Marge turns to go back in and see's Homer struggling to his feet. He has two huge eggs on his forehead. MARGE Ohhh Homey, I'm sorry. She kisses him affectionately on the forehead. MARGE (CONT'D) Why can't you learn to control yourself
around Ned and his kids? Homer can only moan. MARGE (CONT'D) C'mon ya big lug, I'll call the plant and tell them you're not feeling well. HOMER Uh huh. Marge gives one last look in the direction of where Ned drove off, a look of guilt on her face. MARGE Hmmmmmm... Marge closes the front door. Page 17.
Act Two SCENE 4
FADE IN:
EXT. TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD - CONTINUOUS
The time of 7:20am is shown.
The bright blue sky is shown and we hear the sound of an approaching airplane. It comes into view, ascending over the residential neighborhood. We see two phone poles intersecting at a corner. One is marked Evergreen Terrace, the other, Middletown Drive. Further up the street, two school kids can be seen. Bart and Lisa are walking to school, Milhouse comes down his walkway to join them.
MILHOUSE
Hey guys, nice day for walking, huh?
BART
You sound like my mom. Walking sucks.
LISA
Bart, exercise is needed now more than
ever. Diabetes is effecting more and
more people, both young and old.
MILHOUSE
My mom's taking an exercise pill.
BART
That's the ticket. Quick AND easy. Fat
pills, exercise pills, spaz pills...if
only they'd invent a homework pill.
MILHOUSE
Yeahhh, that would rule! Page 18.
LISA
Bart, any doctor will tell you, there's
no substitute for regular exercise...and
walking is the easiest thing you can do.
Just then, Dr. Hibbert goes by on his Segway, eating an egg Mcmuffin. A bumper sticker on the back of the segway reads: "WALKING is for LOSERS!" In tiny print underneath: "AMA says walking best path to losing weight"
DR. HIBBERT
Hey kids! Be careful with those
backpacks...
He starts to fade away with his fast moving segway, but his voice can still be heard.
DR. HIBBERT (CONT'D)
...they're a health hazard!!
Car horns are heard screeching as he disappears into traffic. Bart and Milhouse are in awe.
BART
Whoa...I gotta get me a segway!
MILHOUSE
Yeahhh, me too!
LISA
Forget it...they're only available to
the elite and their servants.
Bart and Milhouse frown. Then Milhouse gets an idea.
MILHOUSE
Hey, I betcha Ebay has a bunch of them
for sale! Page 19.
BART Great idea Milhouse. We can check it out on the school computer. MILHOUSE Yeahhh! Come on, let's run to school! BART Lets! C'mon Lis', try and keep up! Lisa just frowns and lets them run off. A few moments later, Lisa comes up on them, both of them bent over and out of breath. A pan shows the intersection of Evergreen Terrace and Middletown Drive still visible from where they are at. LISA (SLYLY) Heh, better add an oxygen pill to your wish list, Bart. Lisa continues on by while the two boys try to catch their breath as they continue on to school. Page 20.
Act Two SCENE 5 FADE IN: INT. SIMPSONS HOME- LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS The time of 8:15am is shown. Homer is lying on the couch with a folded face cloth on his forehead. He's watching TV. Marge is off screen in the kitchen, but is heard talking to Homer. MARGE Can I get you anything else, Homey? HOMER Uh-huh...a couple more donuts and a new face cloth? This one's lost all it's cooliness. MARGE OK Homey, I'll be right in. Homer flicks the channels and lands on channel six. ON TV There's a shot of Mayor Quimby, Kent Brockman and Krusty, LIVE at Logan International Airport. KENT Hello Viewers, and welcome to the beginning of a brand new series here at channel six, "The Global Krustfest Tour". It kicks off tonight in beautiful downtown Los Angeles, and to help kick off this tour, Mayor Quimby and Krusty himself have joined me here at the airport. Krusty, what's in store for all your worldwide fans? Page 21.
KRUSTY Hey Hey!! Hello kids!! Heh heh, heh heh, heh!! Thanks for all the extra attention Kent and thank you Mayor Quimby and Springfield for springing for these flight tickets!! Heh heh, heh heh, heh!! The camera zooms in on a startled Mayor Quimby. He motions his hand across his throat to Krusty and talks out of the side of his mouth, but right into the microphone on his collar. QUIMBY
Ixnay on the icketstay, ownclay. Camera goes to Brockman and Krusty. KENT Whoa, a bit of canuck and we aren't even due in Ol' Can-a-da till next month! Krusty toots his horn at the backhanded remark. KRUSTY Hey Hey!! A voice is heard over the intercom system. VOICE Final call for all passengers of United Airlines flight 175, non-stop to Los Angeles. KENT Well folks, it's time to get this show on the road. Tune in tonight at 7:00 for part one of this world wide celebration of our favorite clown. Page 22.
Krusty toots his horn a couple times.
KENT (CONT'D)
Reporting live from Logan International
Airport with this exclusive behind the
scenes look at the Universal Krustfest
tour, this is Kent Brockman signing off.
CUT TO:
INSIDE THE CHANNEL SIX STUDIOS - MOMENTS LATER
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
...And cut! Great job guys.
QUIMBY
Nice way to hang me out to dry, clown!
KRUSTY
Hey, it slipped out,so shoot me!
KENT
Heh, I'm glad you mentioned it, Krusty.
You gave me a nice opening to plug our
Canadian visit.
MEL
I'm afraid referring to their language
as pig Latin isn't going to garner us
very much hospitality, Kent.
KENT
Pig Latin?
CUT TO: Page 23.
SIMPSONS LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Homer is lying on the couch watching the TV. Marge enters with another cool face cloth. MARGE Here you go, Homey. Marge takes the face cloth off and replaces it with the new one. She then kisses him on his head. HOMER Thank you Marge. MARGE I'm gonna finish up the dishes and then I'll check up on you again, okay? HOMER Uh-huh. Marge goes off into the kitchen. Page 24.
Act Two SCENE 6
FADE IN:
INT. KWIK-E-MART - CONTINUOUS
The time of 8:17am is shown.
Chief Wiggum is at the counter buying some twinkies and a large Yoo Hoo drink. A radio behind Apu can be heard playing John Lennon's Imagine.
APU
Good morning Chief Wiggum. Can I get you
anything else on this most beautiful
morning? Perhaps a $10 scratch ticket to
make it even a brighter day?
CHIEF WIGGUM
Naahhhh, I can never win on those things.
I'm just waitin' on the carnival to roll
into town next week.
APU
So, you are a lucky man when it comes to
carny games? How fortunate for you.
CHIEF WIGGUM
Heh, Yeah, fortunate. Fortunate to be a
cop who knows how to get to "Carny"
Guye Hall...bribery! He slides the dough
under the table faster than Famous Fat
Freddy slaps his fried dough on the table.
Apu stares blankly as Chief Wiggum exits the store. Page 25.
APU Hmmmm...perhaps I have chosen the wrong profession. Apu shows a look of deep thought. APU (CONT'D) Ahh, no way. My conscience would never allow me to deal in such chicanery. Apu grabs a marker and changes the price on a container of Slim Jims from 49 cents to 99 cents. APU (CONT'D)
God bless America. Page 26.
Act Two SCENE 7 INT. SIMPSONS LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS The time of 8:57am is shown. Marge is kneeling over Homer on the couch, lifting up the cloth from his forehead. MARGE Ohh, that's looking a whole lot better. The bumps are almost gone! Homer smiles and rubs Marge's arm.
HOMER Thank you nurse Marge. How 'bout a little snugglin' while the kids are at school? MARGE Heh, heh, heh...ever since I dragged you to see The English Patient, recovering from injuries makes you as frisky as the day we first made love. HOMER (passionately) New lovers are nervous and tender, but smash everything. For the heart is an organ of fire! Marge falls into his arms. Homer reaches back to shut off the light on the end table, but it smashes to the floor instead. HOMER (CONT'D) D'oh!!
Just then, their attention is caught by an announcement on television by a female reporter. Page 27.
ON TV
REPORTER
This is a news six bulletin. Just a few
moments ago, the world trade center in
New York City was rocked by an explosion.
It has not been confirmed, but initial
eye-witness reports say it may have been
a plane that collided with one of the
towers. We hope to gain on site footage
by this network in just a couple minutes.
BACK TO SCENE
MARGE
Oh my, this sounds serious. I hope no
one was hurt.
HOMER
Yeah...Didn't a plane crash into the
empire state building a long time ago?
MARGE
Yeah, a couple people died inside the
building, along with the pilot.
Hmmmmmm...
HOMER
You just never know. A building that big
has gotta be hard to get around if you're
having plane trouble. Page 28.
MARGE Poor guy...and anyone else that's with him. Homer holds Marge's hand. HOMER Honey, I hope this won't bring back your fear of flying. MARGE Ohh, I don't think so Homey.
ON TV REPORTER Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a live video feed from the world trade center, where it is glaringly apparent that something big has struck the side of one of the towers and left a giant gaping hole with thick black smoke pouring out of it. BACK TO SCENE Marge and Homer gasp at the enormity of it. MARGE Oh my God, look at the size of that hole! FADE OUT: Page 29.
Act Two SCENE 8 FADE IN: SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY - TEACHERS LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS Miss Krabbapple, Miss Hoover, Skinner and a few other teachers are chatting and drinking coffee during recess. MISS KRABBAPPLE I'm just not sure I'm gonna make it through this year. One week in and Bart Simpson has me up to three packs a day.
MISS HOOVER Well, thank god his sister is not like him. Even still, my class is not going to be any picnic either. PRINCIPAL SKINNER Heh, heh, ladies, you say the same thing every year at this time. "Oh god, I'll never make it!" Try being at the top of the pile some time. The odor gets worse as it rises to the top. EDNA Oh please Seymour, spare us your... Just then, Willie comes running in, yelling unintelligibly. He races to the TV and turns it on. The same women reporter is on the TV. ON TV REPORTER
We are going to widen the shot here so you can get a better look at the damage. Page 30.
We no longer see the reporter, but we can hear her in the background. A caption at the bottom of the screen reads: LIVE: A JET LINER HAS CRASHED INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. BACK TO SCENE SKINNER Dear lord! MISS HOOVER My god, it's horrible. EDNA
Those poor people! My god, there's two floors demolished! WILLIE Aye, and it looks very bleak for those caught in the floors above that huge hole. It'll take the strongest firemen quite a bit of time to climb up all those stairs. SKINNER Dear god... CUT TO: SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY - LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS Bart and Milhouse are sitting at the computer desk. BART Fire it up, computer geek. MILHOUSE
Computer geeks rule! Page 31.
BART (SARCASTICALLY) Yeah, you rule. The home page of CNN shows a large picture of the World Trade Center on fire, with a caption in big print that reads: JET LINER CRASHES INTO WORLD TRADE CENTER. CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CNN TV FEED FROM THE SCENE. MILHOUSE WHOA!! BART Oh my god! Look at that! Milhouse clicks on the live feed link. A picture of the burning tower is shown and a woman's voice is heard describing the scene. BART (CONT'D) How could a jet just crash into a building
like that? MILHOUSE Maybe the pilot had a heart attack! The next few scenes will interchange between several sites, as though everyone is watching together. Page 32.
Act Two SCENE 9
The time 9:02am is shown. The song "Only time" begins to play softly in the background and the characters dialog cuts out here and there like a scratched CD. ON TV REPORTER Hundreds of firemen are already on the scene, rushing into the burning tower... DISSOLVE TO: HOMER There's people in the windows.. MARGE He's falling! He's falling!! DISSOLVE TO: EDNA Is that a helicopter in the background? MISS HOOVER Save them! Save them!! DISSOLVE TO: SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT HOME - CONTINUOUS A shot of the group at the retirement home watching TV. JASPER Isn't there anything they can do?! GRAMPA
They're trying, dammit, they're trying! Jasper grabs a hold of Grampa. Page 33.
JASPER
I know they are. I know.
DISSOLVE TO:
BART
I can't watch this anymore.
Bart gets up and starts to move away from the computer.
MILHOUSE
Wait! Look! There's another plane!
Bart turns in slow motion and there is no more dialogue to be heard, just the thundering sounds of "only time" as we see facial reactions from most of the Springfield community.
ON TV
The second plane hitting the tower.
DISSOLVE TO:
Mr. Burns and Smithers holding each other as they watch the TV.
CUT TO:
ON TV
The Pentagon is shown in flames.
DISSOLVE TO:
People running in the streets, carrying their small children to their cars.
DISSOLVE TO:
Marge and Homer running across their lawn, carrying Maggie, getting into their car.
DISSOLVE TO: Page 34.
Mr. Burns grabbing his office phone, barking an order, a look grief on his face.
DISSOLVE TO:
Security personnel from the power plant are seen climbing an entry way onto the roof of the plants main building. They're holding rifles in their hands and looking skyward with a look of helplessness on their faces.
DISSOLVE TO: Marge and Homer arrive at the school. They are shown in a small crowd of parents, waiting to get their kids. DISSOLVE TO: ON TV A SHOT OF THE CRASH SITE IN PENNSYLVANIA IS SHOWN. DISSOLVE TO: Patty and Selma are shown crying and holding a phone together, that is then shown to be ringing to an empty Simpsons home. DISSOLVE TO: The teachers are shown in a state of panic as they exit the teachers lounge and spread out to gather up the kids. DISSOLVE TO: Bart and Milhouse are shown in total shock, still staring at the monitor. DISSOLVE TO: ON TV THE FLIGHT NUMBERS ARE SHOWN ON SCREEN. DISSOLVE TO: The channel six newsroom is shown in chaos, many people holding each other in tears, aware that their colleagues were on flight 175, along with the Mayor of Springfield.
DISSOLVE TO: Page 35.
ON TV A PICTURE OF MAYOR QUIMBY IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. DISSOLVE TO: A shot of Moe's is shown with Barney and Moe looking on in disbelief. DISSOLVE TO: ON TV A PICTURE OF KENT BROCKMAN IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. DISSOLVE TO: A shot of Kent's home is shown, his wife is standing in the doorway, crying, as a camera crew runs up the walkway towards her. DISSOLVE TO: ON TV A PICTURE OF KRUSTY AND SIDESHOW MEL IS SHOWN. DISSOLVE TO: Marge and Homer are seen opening the door to the library. We see the tears rolling down the face of Bart as he reaches out for his mother. Milhouse is grabbed by Homer and the four of them kneel down and pray through their tears. Maggie, unaware, is playfully pulling her pacifier in and out. DISSOLVE TO: Lisa stands in the library doorway with a confused look on her face. As she stares at the four of them all huddled together, an uneasy feeling brings tears to her eyes as she mouths the word "Bart?". CUT TO: Bart raises his head from the huddle. He races toward Lisa and hugs her tightly, tears flowing down his face. He screams a muffled cry into the shoulder of his sister.
BART KRUSTY!!! Page 36.
Over her brother's shoulder, Lisa sees the monitor showing Krusty, Kent and Quimby and a large caption underneath them that reads : DISSOLVE TO: ON TV Mayor of Springfield, TV Anchor and the entire staff of the Krusty the clown show on board United flight 175 are missing and presumed dead. DISSOLVE TO: Lisa's mouth falls open as she pulls herself away from Bart. She shakes her head NO as her brother, in tears, hugs her close again. She screams her tears into the shoulder of her brother.
DISSOLVE TO: ON TV THE SOUTH TOWER FALLS. DISSOLVE TO: Mr. Burns is seen motioning to his employees, all gathered outside the plant, to go home and be with their families. The plant is shown being put on low power outage, automatic. DISSOLVE TO: Moe is seen giving a mug of beer to a customer. The customer slides a 5 dollar bill to Moe, who just hangs his head and slides it back. DISSOLVE TO: The Simpsons and Milhouse are seen running across the school yard toward their car. We see the Van Houtens running from their car and Milhouse runs to them and jumps into his father's arms. DISSOLVE TO: A plane flies over the school and everyone, including the Simpsons and Van Houtens look to the sky in fear.
DISSOLVE TO: Page 37.
ON TV ...MAY HAVE BEEN THE WORK OF AL QAEDA...OSAMA BIN LADEN.. DISSOLVE TO: Manjula is seen crying, holding a couple babies on her lap, watching the TV as she dials a phone number. DISSOLVE TO: We see a phone on a counter and pan back to see a deserted Kwik-E-Mart. DISSOLVE TO: Apu is seen hanging a "Sorry we're closed" sign on the door to the store. There are several people, including Snake, in the parking lot. They are all listening to the blaring car radio that is spewing out news of the disaster from New York to Washington. A dejected Apu walks to his car, when from behind, a hand grabs his shoulder and spins him around. JACK Where d'ya think you're goin, Osama? Apu, confused, swallows hard. APU Please Sir, I am not the person to whom you refer to. I am Apu Nahasapeemapetalan, I am a Hindu from India who now happily calls America "My Home". JACK Heh, and that's s'pose to make a difference? Al Qaeda, Hindu, Voodoo...you're all the same! A bunch of leather skinned, beady-eyed terrorists bent on killin' us decent 'merican folk. Page 38.
Jack pulls a knife from his belt and raises it up towards Apu's throat. A large hand grabs hold of his wrist. SNAKE Whoa dude, you like don't know squat about being an American. He rips the knife away and flings it hard. It finds its way to a poster tacked on to a telephone pole. ANGLE ON POSTER The knife has pierced the center of the poster, a picture of a fat man sitting on a couch eating pork rinds and talking on a phone with piles of money all around him. The poster reads: Earn $100 an hour from the comfort of your couch and lose 20 pounds a week while doing it! CALL 555-2424 ASK FOR GIL. BACK TO SCENE Jack is steaming with hatred as he points a menacing finger in Apu's direction. JACK Look at him! You can tell he's one of them! Look at his eyes! ANGLE ON APU Sweat and tears are falling from apu's frightened face. SNAKE Chill out dude, this guy is as American as Apple pie, Duff beer and the totally awesome giant squishee. Snake takes a large sip from a squishee he was holding and puts his other arm around Apu. SNAKE (CONT'D) Why don't you like, take your paranoia and get the hell out of here, dude. Jack steps back shaking his head. Page 39.
JACK This country is goin' straight to hell! You wait, your dark foreign friend will show you how much he likes 'merica one day. You just wait, you'll see! Jack turns and walks off. Snake looks to Apu. SNAKE Ahh, are you OK dude? You look like, totally wasted.
Apu breathes in deep and swallows hard. APU Thank you Mr. Snake. I can not believe you would stand up for me during such a nightmarish moment. SNAKE No problem,Pu. I cant believe there are dudes like that who think they're soooo American. It just like, totally sickens me. APU I am going to go home now and be with my wife and children. Many thanks again, kind Sir. Snake grasps Apu's shoulder in a friendly manner, then lets go. SNAKE
Later, Pu. Page 40.
Apu manages a smile.
APU
Later...Mister Dude.
Snake joins the other guys and they drive off as Apu gets into his car to drive home. He looks out the drivers window at the "Sorry were closed" sign and tears start to well up in his eyes. He drives away wiping his eyes.
"Only Time" grows louder as more scenes are shown.
DISSOLVE TO:
The simpsons enter their driveway and as they exit the car, Marge looks over to the Flanders yard. We see a look of deep concern passed between Marge, Homer, Bart and Lisa. Maggie is sound asleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
A shot of Manjula opening the door and throwing her arms around a whaling Apu.
DISSOLVE TO:
ON TV
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN US HISTORY, ALL FLIGHTS ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
DISSOLVE TO:
Marge and Homer walk outside to the front yard and look into the brilliant darkness speckled this evening with thousands of brightly twinkling stars. They hold Maggie close and give her a long kiss.
DISSOLVE TO:
Bart enters the bathroom, brushing his teeth. He slowly turns toward a full length mirror and stares at his reflection. Though outwardly to us he appears the same, his reflection casts an image that looks 13 years older. The toothbrush falls from his hand as tears roll down his face. He softly rubs his sad and confused face.
DISSOLVE TO: Page 41.
In Lisa's bedroom, we see the same wiping away of a tear as she stands in front of her mirror and notices similar changes. DISSOLVE TO: Marge and Homer enter their bedroom and stop in their tracks as they pass their bureau mirror. Marge and Homer appear to be much older, but both see Maggie as she is...an innocent, unknowing baby still sucking on her pacifier. FADE OUT: Page 42.
Act Three SCENE 10 FADE IN: EXT. TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD - HIGHWAY - MORNING The date September 13, 2001 is shown. CUT TO: INT: APU AND MANJULA'S CAR - CONTINUOUS Apu and Manjula are driving with their octuplets. A blast is heard and their car swerves to the right. Apu brings it to a stop on the side of the road. A flat tire. He looks in the trunk...a flat spare. A few cars go by, but nobody stops. Apu see's a gold colored Rolls Royce heading toward them. Apu swallows hard and puts his hand in the air. The car slows and we see a sternful looking Mr.Burns stare into the face of Apu. FADE OUT: Page 43.
Act Three SCENE 11 FADE IN: EXT. SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY CHURCH - CONTINUOUS The message sign reads: "GOD BLESS US ALL" DISSOLVE TO: INT. SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY CHURCH The church is filled to compacity, with people standing throughout the entire church. Reverend Lovejoy has just begun his sermon.
REVEREND LOVEJOY ...we lift up our hearts to all those in need and to all those who are needed. The doors to the church begin to rattle and the parishioners turn to see who's entering. Waylon Smithers and Mr.Burns enter the church. MR. BURNS Sorry folks, ehh, we had a little car trouble. He opens the door wider and Apu and Manjula enter the church. Mr.Burns takes two babies from Apu and hands them to an eager Smithers. He takes two more from Manjula and holds them tightly. Apu and Manjula reach down into the two strollers and pull out the remaining four octuplets. They are outwardly nervous as we watch their swollen eyes scan the crowd. The eyes are all upon them...and the smiles soon follow. REVEREND LOVEJOY Welcome to you all. Just squeeze right
in here folks, we are all just one big family. Page 44.
Apu and Manjula can hardly contain their emotions. They begin to cry in each others arms and the parishioners gather around them to give support. After a few moments, they all take their places and the Reverend gets set to continue his sermon.
Just then, the door begins to rattle once again. Everyone looks back towards the door.
REVEREND LOVEJOY (CONT'D)
Well...Who do we have now? Some more
stranded motorists, perhaps?
Nervous laughs are heard.
The door opens and a dusty man steps in. He lifts his head high and removes his hat. Everyone stands and immediately gasps are heard throughout the church. It's Ned Flanders. The entire congregation erupts in cheers. He manages a hard fought smile, then reaches back to open the door and ushers in his two boys, Rod and Todd. Ned hugs them both tight.
NED
We're home boys.
Once again, the entire congregation rushes to meet the three of them and Homer and Marge are the first to clamp their arms around them.
HOMER
Neddy! Neddy!
Homer shakes the dust from his hair and hugs him again.
NED
I'm glad to see you too, Homer. I'm truly
glad to see you!
HOMER
We thought we had lost you! Page 45.
NED
It was close Homer, it was frighteningly
close. The boys and I had just about
made our way into one of the elevators
of the north tower...
Ned reaches back for Rod and Todd.
NED (CONT'D)
...Come here boys.
Ned holds each boy by his side and continues with his story.
NED (CONT'D)
We were just about to get on the elevator,
when we felt the impact of the first
plane hitting the tower.
Gasps are heard throughout the church.
NED (CONT'D)
We ran as fast as we could out the doors.
Ned begins to cry. The boys squeeze him tight, their angelic smiles no longer on their faces.
MOE
Take it easy Ned, we've got lots of time
to hear what you have to say.
REVEREND LOVEJOY
You and your boys have been through a
harrowing ordeal. If you need anything,
my wife and I will be there for you. Page 46.
MARGE
That goes for Homer and me, too.
Anything you need Ned, let us know.
The crowd in unison offers their support as well.
NED
Thank you. Thank you all. I really don't deserve all this attention. There are thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people who were hurt by this tragedy.
He wipes away tears.
NED (CONT'D)
The mothers, the fathers, the sisters, the brothers...the children!
He cries out loudly as many others cry out as well.
NED (CONT'D)
So many families, torn apart in one fell swoop. I was working side by side with the volunteer rescue workers and...you just can't believe the magnitude of the devastation. It's so horrible.
Mr. Burns turns his look away from Ned and stares at the two small sullen faces in front of him. He notices that Rod and Todd are wearing blue T-shirts with the NYFD initials on them.
MR.BURNS
Your boys are wearing T-shirts from the New York City fire department. Where did they get them? Page 47.
NED
They were given to them by a nice fireman
who let us stay with his family. I was
helping this poor man find his brother.
The boys begin to cry.
TODD
His brother died and he started crying!
His Uncle died too!
Deep sighs throughout the church.
ROD
Why did God let this happen Daddy? Why??
NED
I don't know son. I honestly don't know.
The entire congregation turns its heads toward the Reverend for an answer. Reverend Lovejoy gives a deep sigh, lets the tear fall from his eye and just shrugs his shoulders.
REVEREND LOVEJOY
I...I don't have an answer for you.
The congregation lets out one long sigh, lowering their heads. The Reverend places a hand on Rod's shoulder.
REVEREND LOVEJOY (CONT'D)
But I do know how we can all help in
making sure it never happens again...
Rodd looks up, as does the rest of the congregation. Page 48.
REVEREND LOVEJOY (CONT'D) ...Love. Plain and simple. It was pure hatred that caused this day of days to happen. Love is the antidote. Hopefully this togetherness we feel right now, as a small town community, as an average sized state, as a nation of many diverse cultures... The Reverend pauses to clear his throat.
REVEREND LOVEJOY (CONT'D) ...as a world, so small, the farthest point from you is only a mouse click away. The congregation breathes a little easier. REVEREND LOVEJOY (CONT'D) There's lots of pain to be dealt with, many evils to bring to justice, many lives to be rebuilt. But let us take what we have today, this heartfelt togetherness and see how far this Love can take us down the road...Amen. CONGREGATION Amen. Organ music begins to play. DISSOLVE TO: Page 49.
Act Three SCENE 12 FADE IN: EXT.SPRINGFIELD MEMORIAL PARK - MORNING The date September 11, 2002 is shown. Bruce Springsteen's "Waitin on a sunny day" begins to play and we see the entire community of Springfield in the park, gathered around a memorial to Krusty, Kent Brockman, Mayor Quimby, Sideshow Bob and all the other victims of the Greater Springfield area. "It's rainin', but there ain't a cloud in the sky. Must've been a tear from your eye." DISSOLVE TO: Mr. Burns is shown cutting the ribbon, indicating he donated money to have this memorial park built. Balloons are released into the air by all the citizens of Springfield, who have managed to find their smiles again over the past 12 months. "Hard times, baby well they come to us all. Sure as the tickin' of the clock on the wall" DISSOLVE TO: Waitin on a sunny day continues to play as we see The Simpsons entering their home. Lisa goes to her room and see's that her reflection is now closer to 8 than to 21. She smiles. "Your smile girl, brings the mornin' light to my eyes" DISSOLVE TO: Bart see's the same changes in his reflection and smiles. We then see Milhouse, Martin, Ralph, Rod & Todd doing the same thing. "Lifts away the blues when I rise. I hope that you're comin' to stay" DISSOLVE TO: A BRIGHT BLUE SKY - AFTERNOON Ned hugging his two boys and all three are smiling. "I'm waitin', waitin' on a sunny day" The credits begin to roll as "Waitin on a sunny day" winds down. THE END