"Miles!" "Breakfast!" "Your alarm!" "Don't piss me off!" "Coming!" "Hey there, easy on that stuff." "It's fine." "You all set for today?" "Senior year!" "Last time you get to say that." "Until college." "The only people who care about senior year are gonna live here forever anyways." "So what's the big deal?" "You don't know that." "I can't wait to be in Chicago." "Well, how do you plan on getting to Chicago?" "We don't need to talk about this right now." "Okay, but I'm definitely going to" "Columbia college in Chicago." "It's a really good film school." "How 'bout when you need a real job after school?" "I'll get one in film." "Besides... we don't wanna be late today sweetie pie." "There's a campus tour in Chicago next month and you'll see how cool it is." "Just not on a school night sweetheart." "Yeah, Chicago's three hours away." "I ain't driving that." "Why not?" "If I were you," "I'd be thinking more along the lines of Springfield community college." "We're having meatloaf tonight." "Will you be joining us this time?" "You ready?" "I just need my backpack." "Done?" "Keys." "Let's go." "Have a good first day." "You too." "Ah, welcome back miles." "Thanks." "Are you our av guy again this year?" "All right, the next Steven Spielberg." "Don't forget about the little people." "You got it." "Okay quiet down everybody." "Good morning." "As you all know my name is Mrs. Walton." "Welcome to senior English." "I hope that you all enjoyed your break and that you are ready and raring to learn!" "'Cause I sure am." "Let's get started with role." ""Miller in the morning" with me, Scott Miller." "Cathy Voltmer is over there, happy Saturday morning to you." "Big ticket giveaway coming up." "If you're into trucks I have the perfect thing for you." "We're giving away a pair of tickets to the 37th annual Midwest truck show being held at the prairie capital convention center here in Springfield..." "Ron?" "!" "You okay?" "Oh no!" "Oh my god!" "Are you Pam Walton?" "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes." "Hi, I'm Dr. Meade." "Oh good." "Our EMT's worked on Ron at your residence." "Then I tried myself, but as far as we could tell, he was gone before he got here." "We did all we could for him Mrs. Walton." "I'm so sorry." "That can't be." "He has an upper respiratory infection." "We were just at the doctor last week, he's taking medication for it and he said he's feeling so good." "Well we think that a hole had formed in his heart which slowly filled the lining up with blood." "And when it got too full it just burst." "Can you check the files?" "For what?" "Well maybe you could call Dr. Spalding's office and they can send you their reports of what we all... mom." "Discussed last Tuesday... mom." "To the x-rays." "He just said dad's heart exploded." "He's dead." "I'll give you folks a minute." "What?" "He's dead, mom." "It's okay." "Ron is remembered by his loving wife, Pamela, of 23 years." "He is remembered by his talented son, miles." "By grateful friends and relatives." "This is a very hard day for us here." "Every one of us gathered today has been touched by Ron in one way or another." "Well that was a nice service." "Yeah it was." "It's funny how two people change over time." "Well I mean that he was so kind, and sweet, and caring." "Your dad used to be so much fun." "I was so in love with him." "These changes, they happen so slowly." "And then one day you wake up and you realize you're two totally different people." "Your dad just got so controlling." "He kept tightening his grip on me." "I felt so cut off." "And I knew he was fooling around on me." "I guess you probably knew it too, huh?" "You know I came so close to asking your dad for a divorce." "At least now we know the lying and the sneaking around is finally over." "I'm just so sorry he wasn't nicer to you." "You're gonna want seconds?" "Yes please." "Welcome, you have mail." "Mom?" "What the hell is all this noise?" "What's wrong?" "We don't have any money." "What do you mean?" "I mean your dad spent all our savings." "There's supposed to be $30,000 in here to pay for your college." "He bought her that car." "Oh my god." "He never let me go through the bank statements." "He never let me do anything." "He... your dad, he was in charge of the money stuff and he just, he just... he blew it all." "He blew it all." "Mom, it's okay." "I'm so sorry." "I'm sorry." "It's okay." "It's okay." "You don't have to go to school today if you don't want to." "Are you not going?" "I need a few days." "Should I take dad's truck today?" "Oh that's okay, I'll drive you." "Hey hon, thinking of you guys." "Thanks." "Can I help you?" "Yes you can, I'm Ron's wife, is she here?" " She ain't here." " What do you want?" "When did he give it to her?" "What?" "The car, the corvette." "My daughter got that car a couple of months ago." "Well guess what, I want it back." "Well you ain't getting it back, it was a gift." "Let me tell you something, if I'm the one making the payments on it and my son's college money was used as a deposit," "I consider it my car, okay?" "!" "Well it ain't yours, it's hers." "Where is she?" "Is she upstairs?" "Why don't you go home, Pam?" "Don't you have a kid you gotta take care of?" "I would like to talk to Jennifer, please." "Settle down, I told ya she ain't here." "Now I don't appreciate you coming over here to bother us." "Let me tell you something." "I want that car." "I swear to god, I will come over here with a tow truck and I will take it myself!" "I want it back!" "It's my car!" "Do that and I'll call the police for trespassing and theft!" "You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Making excuses for your daughter!" "Breaking up a family!" "Your family was already broken." "You're disgusting!" "You are going off the deep end coming over here like this." "That car is in Jennifer's name, it's hers!" "Shame on you!" "You need some help!" "You need help!" "Get out of my face or I'll call the police!" "I'll call the police on you!" "How dare..." "Hey, open the door!" "Hey miles, Mrs. Armstrong is waiting to see you." "It's good to see you back." "Thanks." "So how's everything at home?" "We're okay." "Oh good, that's great." "We're sure glad to see you back, miles." "Thanks, Mrs. Armstrong." "So, what can I do for you?" "I'm here because I'm looking for a new college." "Oh, all right then." "Tell me what you're thinking." "Okay, I'm looking for a school in Chicago." "I wanted to do the film program at Columbia college but it's too expensive." "Right, right." "Well it is an arts school." "Um..." "You know, Springfield community has a films studies program." "And I hear the one at Southern is quite good." "Yeah, but it needs to be in Chicago." "I'm afraid if I stay here one more day than I have to, I'll get stuck here like everyone else." "Oh, right." "So is it too late for scholarships?" "Well, I have a list." "This is a pretty common question." "So I keep this list of college scholarships that are available in Chicago." "Why don't you have a look at that?" "What's a national merit scholar?" "Oh, uh..." "You don't quite qualify for that so, we should keep looking." "Oh." "Men's volleyball scholarship to Loyola university." "What's this?" "It's just what it says." "Well that's in Chicago isn't it?" "Yes but you'd have to be on the volleyball team." "Then I'll get on the team, I'm good." "Sweetie, it's a girls' team." "Well is there a law saying that a boy can't play on a girls' team?" "You know, we did have this come up with a girl in football a few seasons ago." "And because of title nine, we let her play, but we never had a boy wanna be on a girls' team." "I mean..." "I'm just saying I think that maybe you should continue to look for other options." "Yeah, you're probably right." "Yeah." "So, I'm gonna need you to warm the girls up." "Okay, start peppering... hey coach." "Is it too late to tryout?" "For who, for you?" "Yeah I wanna play." "Well this is a girls' team." "Well if there's a boys' team I'd be there." "Come on, please?" "All right, well what the heck." "Go suit up and be back in five." "Okay." "All right, ladies." "Please don't expect any favors or any free rides." "This is a challenging sport." "A little more energy, that's right." "Faster, faster!" "One that brings the best out of my girls." "Uh, all of my students." "Higher, higher, higher!" "That's it, come on!" "Come on, Penelope, do it!" "I take this sport very seriously, and I expect you all will as well." "A spot on this team does not come cheap." "Ballet class." "So if you've come to play, I want you to play hard." "But I also want you to learn how to play well." "This is where we see what you're made of." "This is where you bump your distractions, set your targets, and spike your goals." "Not the worst I've seen." "Nice work, keep it up." "What are you doing out there, Candace?" "If you make the cut, your name will be posted outside my office after tryouts." "I want those butts lower, lower, lower those butts." "Lower." "If your name is not on the list, that's it." "No tears, no phone calls from your parents." "All right?" "I wish you the best of luck, ladies... and miles!" "Yes!" "Awe snap!" "Love the enthusiasm." "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." "Most people don't." "Oh, before you pop a chub, you should know that everyone made the team." "How do you know?" "Well eight people tried out, eight people made the team." "Six on the court, two on the bench, duh." "I'm miles, by the way." "Penelope." "Oh, but my friends call me P." "You can call me P." "Oh okay, um... ooh, parental release forms." "Thanks, P." "You got it, girl." "Refill?" "Can you please just sign it?" "Why would you wanna join a girl's team when there's so many boy sports." "I like volleyball." "Hey, I know the football coach." "I bet he'd let you be the kicker." "Do you want me to ask him?" "No mom, that's okay just..." "I don't know honey, with dad gone this sure seems like a lot for you." "Mom, that's why I wanna play." "It's something to get my mind off of him." "Okay." "It'll be fun, it's just a game." "Here you go." "Hey miles." "Yeah." "Tell everyone I'm doing okay." "Okay." "Okay." "We want everyone in this room, in this school, and in this town, coming out to support us." "Let me hear you, Pondley high!" "Here is the moment you've all been waiting for!" "Let me introduce you to the 1999 girls varsity volleyball team!" "Come on out!" "So come on out for our first game of the season against..." "Walton's a fag!" " Calvary high on..." " Who said that?" "Who said that?" "For that, Mr. Roberts, you can see me after." "So yeah, come and support us." "We'll see you next week." "Hey, let's hear it for the lady warriors huh?" "!" "So I went over there and her delightful mother" "Rhonda answered the door." "I felt like I was talking to her bodyguard." "And then, she had the nerve to slam the door in my face right after she told me that I needed help." "Can you imagine, like I'm the crazy one in this situation?" "And now that Ron is dead," "I just feel..." "I don't know, I feel so pissed off that I'm the one left holding the bag, you know?" "And apparently now I'm the one who needs help." "Why doesn't he need help?" "Why does Ron get off so easy?" "Dying is easy." "I just think he should have to pay for his mistakes." "I feel so mad, it's not fair." "Thank you." "Pam?" " Hi Pam, how ya doing?" "" " Oh hi, Jean." "I'm doing okay." "So I got to thinking while you were telling your story." "And I think I figured out what you need to make you feel better." "It just hit me out of the blue." "Oh yeah?" "W-what is that?" "You need to get yourself some new d girl." "I'm so sorry, what is that?" "Some dick." "And I know what you're thinking." "There goes Jean rambling on about cock again." "But trust me, it is essential that you just go out and you get yourself laid straight away after your husband dies." "While it's fresh, it still feels like cheating." "Jean, I just feel like we're around so many people so it's very public." " Oh." " I mean..." "Ricky and I practically only did it in public." " Is that right?" " Like one time he just had me just going up against a wall." "And I just accidentally set off the fire alarm." "Jean." "We just kept doing it right there in the indoor rain." "Wow." " It was glorious." " Huh." "Yeah." "I just thought you needed to know." " Oh." " Well thank you, Jean." "I appreciate you giving me that information." "It's good to know." "But listen, we're all gonna go get a drink after." "It's our little tradition, you gotta come." "Oh no, I can't, I wake up early, I'm a school teacher." " No, you gotta get back in the saddle." " I'm a teacher!" "Come on!" "Okay!" "Have a beer, one beer." "Hey Brian, did you get it?" "You get the poster?" "Office space, right?" "Yeah." "Okay here." "Did you know the Swingline stapler guy in the movie doesn't really talk like that in real life?" "Yeah, on "newsradio" he's totally different." "Here, it's got his full name and the login for a lexisnexis account okay?" "So you just run a search for him and it'll tell you all sorts of stuff." "Thanks, I owe you, man." "Would you like to reconnect?" "Welcome." "Know anything about me?" "Yeah." "Anything bad?" "Shut up, he'll love you." "Shit." "Knock knock." "Come in." "I'm going to group." " Okay." " Don't stay up." "Okay." "Can I borrow dad's bronco while you're at your meeting?" "Oh honey, I don't think so." "I need to go to Michael's first science project." "Plus I was thinking about seeing the sixth sense again." "Fine, but be careful." "I will be, I promise." "Do you need money?" "Sure." "All right, here ya go." "And also make sure you get gas on your way home." "Okay I will." "All right see you." " Hey." " Hey." "Would you like a cup?" "Oh thank you." "Careful, it's very hot." "Good." "Pam, right?" "Yes." "Hello." "Hi." "I'm Lloyd." "Yes I remember." "Oops sorry, no go ahead." "No you go." "I insist." "Okay." "Grab one." "Oh that was mine." "Can I help you?" "Hi, I'm miles Walton from Pondley high." "I'm on the volleyball team there, um..." "I sent you an email but I wanted to also give you a schedule of all our games this season." "I wrote them down for you." "I'd really love it if you could come and watch me play so I could be considered for a scholarship." "In fact, our first game is coming up at home." "So if you could make it?" "Well this is a first." "Never had someone come to my door before." "So uh, how did you get my address?" "I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you got all my messages." "Oh I think I'm all set, miles." "Look, I've got a pretty busy schedule right now, but I'll be sure to let you know if I can make it down to Pondley, all right?" "Thank you so much." "That would be amazing." "Okay, you have a safe drive back." "Thank you." "Hey Pam?" "That was a good session don't you think?" "Oh yeah, I thought it was really good this week." "I feel like it's helping." "Yeah me too." "Yeah, good." "Yeah." "Um..." "This is gonna sound weird no matter how I say it." "But seeing as we all know we're singles here," "I was wondering if you might like to have dinner sometime?" "With me." "Oh." "You don't have to." "Oh no, but would that be kinda weird because you're my boss." "Well I'm not actually your boss" "I'm your bosses boss." "Though I do have the power to fire you on the spot." "Oh do you?" "Well that was a bad joke, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." "It's okay." "You don't have to." "Let me just ask you this." "If we did go out, would I have to tell Trent?" "Trent?" "Trent our principle, Trent Wilson, my boss." "Wilson." "No, you could if you'd like, but I don't think it's necessary." "Hmm." "Is that a yes?" "Yeah I think it is." "All right, well good, good, good, good, good, good." "You'll have to fire me on another day." "You got it." " Same way." " Oh." " You go." " I'll go first." "Hey, you feeling ready?" "Hey." "All right I brought you these." "Got you the number you wanted." "Awesome." "Yeah, looking good, right?" "Umm, what are these?" " Those are your bun huggers." " Um..." "You know, your coochie cutters?" "You hadn't noticed the tight little shorts the girls were wearing?" "You know what, why don't you just wear your PE shorts." "Yeah that sounds good." "Okay, all right I'll see you out there." "All right." "Let's hear it for our lady warriors!" "Number nine, senior, Wendy Prazda." "Number two, junior, Penelope Walker." "Number 17, senior, miles Walton." "Let's hear it for your home team!" "That's 15 points, folks!" "And a first set for Pondley high." "Yes." "Pondley high wins!" "Your lady warriors win their first game with a shut out!" "Go Pondley!" "Good game, good game, good game, good game, good game, good game, good game, good game." "Good game last night." "Thanks, Rory." "You have a five?" "So, are you really sticking with this girls' team thing?" "Yeah it's fun." "Well I heard some people are ticked about it." "Really?" "Yeah, like you're trying to make some big statement or something." "I don't know, I just really like playing volleyball." "I hope it's really not that big of a deal or anything." "Run, Lola, run, right?" "The eye level camera angles and long takes when she runs are insane." "Cool." "I just like the poster because of her hair." "Thanks for the hookup and good luck on the team." "Hey coach." "I just had a talk with coach Tilden." "He said his girls aren't comfortable playing against your team with a boy on it." "Why, 'cause they know we're gonna win?" "Girls regulation nets are six and a half inches lower than the boys' nets." "Oh please, can we just play ball?" "Look, I'm just passing the message here." "Nah, he's going in." "All right then." "Pam Walton?" "Oh hi, Marge." "I thought I saw you over there." "So you're still teaching history over at Calvary?" "Mmm hmm." "I was hoping I'd run into you." "I didn't get to catch you at the game." "I wanna ask you about something for Lisa." "My oldest." "Oh sure, what's that?" "Your boy, miles, what do you think the chances are he's gonna keep playing on the girls' team like he is?" "He sure slaughtered our poor girls last night." "Well he is really enjoying it." "In fact, they're actually over playing their first away game." "How is Lisa liking it?" "Oh she loves it." "Oh good, good." "Pam, the thing is, is Pondley shut us out in two sets." "And you know, it's funny, but some of the girls on Lisa's team were saying that it's not really fair him being a boy and all." "I think there might be rules about that." "Well, you know." "Boys will be boys." "Well." "And miles will be miles." "Besides, if the conference had a boys' team this wouldn't even be an issue." "Well they do have boys' teams." "But for football and baseball." "Right." "Right." "Well, just something to think about." "Mmm hmm." "I should get going." "Okay, sounds good." "Please give my best to your girls." "You take care now." "You, too." "Yes!" "Good job, miles!" "Yes!" "Hey you're back!" "I'm going to my group." "Okay." "There's dinner and groceries in the fridge." "Sounds good." "How was your game?" "It was fine." "How many points did you score?" "Uh, I don't remember." "I'm probably just gonna watch the Goonies in my room tonight if that's all right." "That's fine, sweetie pie." "Have fun tonight." "Don't wanna be late!" "Bye." "Bye." "You know, it's been so long now since Angela passed." "And... so now that the kids are out of the house, it's starting, just starting to feel like maybe this is a new chapter." "Mmm hmm, you feel like a whole new person, right?" "Yes, yes, exactly!" "So you know." "Well maybe it's time to start working out." "Or just to try new things." "Try to push myself out of my comfort zone, do you know?" "Cheers to that." "That's what I'd like to say." "Cheers and to having a lovely dinner with a gorgeous woman." "Awe, well I wouldn't say gorgeous but..." "Oh, I sure would." "That's so sweet." "So when you shared that story with the group, about Ron's mistress and the car." "Oh my goodness." "How are you not absolutely losing your mind over that?" "I don't know." "I mean believe me, I've had some terrible, terrible thoughts." "I bet." "Put it this way, she would not wanna meet me in a dark alley, okay?" "I'd knock her teeth out." "But I don't know what to do." "The thing is in her name." "Her lunatic mother protects her like a bulldog." "And she looks like one, too." "Is that so mean of me to say that?" "No, you're so not mean." "What if you weren't so nice, what would you do?" "If you could do anything about this right now, what would you do?" "Anything?" "Yeah, if you weren't so sweet." "You're gonna think I'm terrible." "All right, this might be the wine talking but..." "No!" "Drive!" "Oh I'm so glad you're still awake!" "How ya doing, buddy?" "Good." "So who is the date with?" "How'd you know I was on a date?" "You never wear that to a group meeting." "You also never wear this much perfume." "I think that smell is the wine." "Wow." "So, are you okay with this?" "With me going on a date?" "Yeah we're cool." "I want you to have fun." "Was it good?" "It was great!" "So, who is he?" "Are you ready for this?" "Mr. Bryant." "The new superintendent." "Whoa, scandal." "Scandal." "Are you gonna get in trouble for that?" "No I'm not gonna get in trouble." "We can be very, very professional." "As long as I lay off the wine, I think we'll be fine." "Hey!" "We should get pizza." "Way too late." "You should go to bed." "You're right." "Night-night." " See you up in the morning." " Love you." "I really do." "The reason that I wanted to speak to everyone is because we've had some complaints about miles playing on the girls' team." "Okay, what about it?" "The Illinois high school association gave me a ring yesterday." "There's a petition going around to stop him." "What do you want from me, Trent?" "He tried out, he was really good, he made the team." "They're just jealous." "Well, that's the issue here, Leslie." "They think there might be an unfair advantage." "Can we find a way for him to play a more appropriate sport?" "Appropriate sport?" "No, this is his sport." "Mr. Wilson, I get it that people are upset about this." "But since there's no boys' team," "I have to stay on the girls' team." "Honey, let me ask you." "Why is this so, so important to you?" "Because, I'm trying to get this volleyball scholarship that'll get me into Loyola." "It's almost a full ride and since you and dad couldn't pay for it," "I thought I'd take care of it myself." "What?" "So that's what this is all about?" "Yeah, it's the only chance to get to Chicago I still have." "Honey, I hate to have to be the one to tell you this, but it is extremely difficult to get a sports scholarship anywhere." "You have to be like really good." "He is playing fair and square by state rules." "Unless Trent wants to put together a boys' team for him?" "You know that I can't do that." "It would take thousands." "We're strapped enough as it is." "And it'd be even more phone calls." "Well he's staying." "If they're so worried about it, tell 'em to practice harder." "We're barely into the season, Leslie, and already there's an IHSA investigation." "Can't we quit while we're ahead?" "No, we cannot." "And I will take this thing all the way to the top if I have to, Trent." "I don't have to listen to all this horse shit." "I'm really not trying to upset everyone." "Pam, I could sure use your help on this." "What can we do here?" "Honey, what about joining the computer club or something?" "You know, you're always at home on the computer." "Yeah, maybe we could expand your av duties." "I like playing, it's the only sport I'm good at." "I know, but it would mean so much to the other teams and their parents if you would just consider any other options." "Is there a law saying I have to quit or something?" "I'll tell you what." "I've never done this before." "But what is we got you on the varsity baseball team, huh?" "How's that sound?" "Name the position, it's yours." "I'm sorry but I've got to get to class." "Miles." "Quincy high forfeits." "What?" "!" "Come on!" "Sub 17 for 7." "McCarthy forfeits the game." "Sub, 17 for six." "Miles, you're in for Paris." "Really?" "Yeah, go." "Okay." "17 for six." "Time out, Ursuline academy." "Come on, girls." "Just huddle up, I'll take care of this." "What am I supposed to do with this?" "I can't play with that kid on the court." "Good work out there..." "It's the league rules and everything." "What's the problem here?" "What can we do about this, Leslie?" "You know I can't play with that boy on the court." "Oh for god's sake, why are you doing this?" "You know why I'm doing this." "I got parents breathing down my neck." "If that boy so much as touches the ball," "I'm supposed to call the game off and nobody wants that." "Just let the kid get a little bit of playtime, all right?" "How 'bout until the end of the set?" "Sorry Leslie, my hands are tied here." "All right, what are we gonna do, folks?" "Leslie, you know this isn't coming from me." "I understand that Rick, but grow a pair, will you?" "I'll handle this." "We're fine, miles, go ahead and serve." "You know what to do." "All right the game is called." "Ursuline academy forfeits." "All right, let's go, folks, pack it up!" "Ridiculous." "Great, just great." "Shake it off, Brazda, it's done." "Shame on you!" "Get your own team!" "Knock, knock, can I come in?" "Hey Steve." "Hey." "Uh, mind if we have a little chat?" "Sure, what's up?" "Um..." "So how's the volleyball thing going?" "A customer told me about it the other day." "Pointed you out." "Oh yeah." "Yeah." "Yeah, a couple people have, actually." "I had no idea it was this big deal." "Yeah, people are crazy about their volleyball around here, I guess." "Right, yup." "So listen, I hate to have to do this." "And I always hate having these talks but," "I'm gonna have to let you go." "What?" "Why?" "Well, I was doing some poster inventory the other day and I noticed a few were missing." "I know you took 'em and I can't have that." "But everyone takes those old posters all the time." "Or they just end up getting thrown out anyway." "Listen, I don't wanna make this harder than it needs to be." "So, if you just wanna head home now." "I can man the booth the rest of your shift." "And I won't say nothing." "I can just say you quit to work the new multiplex in Springfield or something." "Please don't fire me." "It's been a pleasure, miles, and I wish you luck and all, but I can't budge on this one." "I'm letting you go and that's that." "So what are you gonna do?" "Hmm?" "You know what I think you should do?" "I think you should go back to the theater with every poster from your room and ask them to take it out of your paycheck." "That's what I think you should do." "Mom, this has nothing to do with the posters." "It's over." "Honey, I really think this scholarship business is getting out of hand." "You gotta get your priorities straight." "I don't wanna stay in this town any longer than I have to." "And I don't wanna end up like you and dad and be completely unhappy." "This is my way out." "I'm not unhappy." "Mom, I'm sorry but you are!" "You're so stuck in this town!" "All you ever do is go to work, come home and cook dinner, and cut coupons every Saturday!" "I don't want that and I've never wanted that!" "Okay and that's fine!" "You don't have to want that, I understand!" "Don't want that!" "But I don't see what the big rush is to get to Chicago." "I mean, I don't see that there's anything wrong with you staying here for awhile, saving up a little money, and then you can go to the college that you want!" "What's wrong with that?" "!" "I knew you'd say that." "Well, sometimes you gotta be a little more patient with this stuff, miles." "I'm sorry, mom, but I'm not gonna let dad screwing around and blowing all our money mess up my future." "And you shouldn't either." "Miles." "In two months, we get along fine." "You do love me don't you?" "I think so but," "I have to think about it." "Hello, dear." "Hello, mom." "Have a nice time?" "Jeff's awfully handsome." "Such a smooth dancer." "Thanks for coming in on such short notice." "I need to let you all know that the forfeit petition has been approved by the IHSA." "What does this mean?" "Well there's a hearing Thursday night." "Miles, you and coach Wayne, you'll need to be there so that you can answer superintendent Bryant's questions." "Trent, are there any other options?" "Well, he could leave the team." "That's some option." "For god's sake, just let him play." "Mr. Wilson, what if I just sat out for most of our games so I don't bother anyone?" "Well, you can ask him on Thursday." "But it sounds like they've made up their minds." "All right, that's all I have." "Great, thanks." "Hey." "Hey." "Listen, I just wanna say" "I know this thing has gotten a little blown out of proportion here and," "I can tell some feelings are getting hurt and I certainly don't want that." "I don't think anybody does." "But, I was just hoping for the best for miles here and not give him any mixed messages." "You know?" "I'm not sure I can help you with that, Pam." "Miles is doing what he feels is right and that's good for him." "Right, but I think I can be the judge of what's best for my son or not." "I think miles is old enough to be the judge for himself." "He's certainly inspired me more than any other high school kid ever has." "And maybe, I don't know," "I think maybe Pondley needs to see this kind of courage more than we realize." "More than you realize, Pam." "Is that okay?" "Yeah." "Is it okay?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "So I was thinking, it'd be nice to have you come over for dinner sometime." "Maybe even tomorrow night." "Sure, yeah." "I'd love that." "It'd be nice for you to spend some time with miles." "Yeah." "I'm sure he'd like to get to know you better." "Yeah." "Maybe you two could talk about this whole volleyball thing before the big hearing." "Oh whoa, whoa." "Hold on, hold on." "Please tell me, please tell me that's not what this is all about." "No." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "I just get the feeling it's a big deal to him and I was just... all right, well, just so you know I'm getting a lot of pressure from other parents." "From all sides." "Miles being on this girls' team is causing real problems." "That they come here for a fair game, and then this is not what they signed up for." "And besides, is this really the best way to make this kind of statement?" "He's just playing a game." "And I've never seen him so passionate about anything ever." "Except for maybe moving away from Pondley." "Well, if we don't make an example out of this, then all the teams are gonna try becoming co-ed one day." "And all the students are gonna think they have some sort of open door now to challenge everything they don't like." "So what's wrong with that?" "Well for starters it makes my job a lot harder." "Look, if he wants a boys volleyball team, there's a right way to do it and there's a wrong way to do it." "This is not the right way." "Okay." "Don't get me wrong." "I would love to come to your home for dinner." "I really would." "I like you very much." "I like you, too." "Well I'm glad." "I just don't want all of that to ruin all of this." "Uh huh." "Please." "Okay, sure." "Good." "I'm gonna take a shower." "Okay." "In there." "You have mail." "Whoa!" "No way." "Oh hell yeah!" "Please quiet down." "We have quite a lot to cover tonight, so why don't we just get things rolling." "I'd like to jump right into the matter of student miles Walton and his involvement with the girls volleyball team." "Let the minutes reflect we have Mr. Walton here with us as well as his coach, Ms. Wayne." "Ms. Wayne, can you tell us how long Mr. Walton has been on your team?" " The entire year." " Mm-hm." "And was he approved to play?" "Yes he was." "He tried out and made the team with his mother's permission." "Okay, thank you." "Now as you may know, we have a lot of opposition from local parents." "Are you aware of that?" "I am aware of it." "Okay." "Now you have won six out of eight games played." "Four of those six due to opposing teams forfeiting." "Is that correct?" "It is, but they chose to forfeit, not us." "Well, Mr. Walton," "I hate to say it but the Illinois high school association has really carefully considered your situation." "And in this case they have decided that miles cannot play on the girls volleyball team." "Wait, why?" "!" "And to ensure your cooperation, the board has been advised to immediately suspend Mr. Walton if he should try to play." "You gotta be kidding me!" "That's completely unfair!" "If title nine says a girl can play on a boys' team then why can't I play on a girls' team?" "I am sorry, I truly am." "But they've made their decision, and we have to take it seriously." "Let the record reflect Mr. Walton is hereby no longer involved with the team." "That's not fair, we want him on the team." "I second that." "Moved and seconded, thank you." "It's not about winning." "He has a college recruiter interested." "He's coming to our game tomorrow." "I have to play." "Here's the letter he sent me." "Miles, this is an open and shut situation." "It really is, I'm sorry." "The kid is trying to get himself into college!" "Why the hell are you trying to stop him?" "Ms. Wayne, can we try to keep this professional?" "Just because a boy wants to play volleyball you try to shut it down immediately?" "Leslie, it would really be in your best interest to stop talking right now." " Lloyd please." "" " What, are we living in the dark ages?" "Would you please just look at this?" "Just let him read his letter!" ""Hi miles, you're in luck."" ""I'm coming to see your match this Friday"" ""against mount Palasky..."" "I'm so sorry, but we are done... let the kid read the thing!" "We are done discussing this matter and moving on with our agenda." "You all should be ashamed of yourself." "You're a bunch of narrow-minded cavemen." "Please!" "I move to suspend Ms. Wayne for two weeks without pay effective immediately." "Wait, no!" "Second." "Moved and seconded, thank you!" "This is... bullshit!" "Miles." "I just wanna run away from this stupid small-minded town." "Look, I know this seems like a big deal right now, but in the grand scheme of things it's really not." "I'm sure for you it isn't." "You'd live here forever if you could." "Look, just try to finish high school in one piece." "You can stay here a little bit longer and then you can go wherever you want." "For what, so I can start being some unfulfilled zombie like everybody else in this town?" "!" "Like you and your boss boyfriend?" "How can you date him knowing he's holding me back from everything?" "All right, miles, that is enough!" "You have no idea what you are talking about." "I just wanna run away right now." "Fine, you wanna run away?" "You really wanna run away?" "!" "Here." "Get out." "If you wanna be gone so badly then run away right now!" "If you hate where you came from so much and the people who raised you then go!" "I'd love to!" "I don't care what you do anymore!" "Go all the way to damn Chicago for all I care!" "I will!" "Good, I dare you!" "Fuck finishing high school!" "Fine!" "I'm so glad you're still here." "Well, I'm barely here." "I'm exhausted." "Listen Lloyd, this whole volleyball thing has really gotten out of hand." "Is there anything you can do to help me out here?" "Pam." "Did you not see what happened here?" "This is my son, Lloyd?" "!" "This is involves his whole future, do you understand?" "Can't you just let him stay on for just one more game is all I'm asking?" "!" "I wish there was something I could do to help," "I really do." "But then let him stay on for one more game!" "I just gave the final word." "If I go back on this, I could lose my job." "Why don't you let miles think about that?" "Maybe think about what kind of mess he's making for everybody else." "Oh come on." "He pulls Leslie into this and she gets all worked up." "Like it's some big act of prejudice or something." "Come on, save that crap for Chicago or whatever." "What is that supposed to mean?" "Look, I know it seems like a big deal to him but he's a smart kid." "And he should think about maybe it's not worth rocking the boat like this." "You know what, Lloyd?" "I think maybe Pondley needs to see this kind of courage more than we realize." "And I think it is worth rocking the boat." "Well I disagree." "You have mail." "Knock, knock." "Hey, you made it." "Oh are you kidding?" "!" "There's no way I'm missing this." "Are you ready?" "No." "Listen miles, I'm sorry about blowing up at the meeting last night." "I shouldn't be speaking for you like that." "No, it's good." "You stood up for me." "I know but, this is a big deal for you and I shouldn't be making it harder than it needs to be." "No, I'm glad to have you in my corner." "I'm really sorry you got suspended." "Oh no, that's okay." "I'd be lying if I said I didn't kinda want the break, so..." "But it did dawn on me earlier today that you're only 17." "You say it like it's so young." "That's because it is." "Are you sure you're ready for this?" "As ready as I'll ever be." "Can't quit now." "How else am I supposed to get out of Pondley?" "You could win the lottery." "Besides, you don't really think they'll do anything to me do you?" "Oh I absolutely do." "Hey, so how are you feeling?" "I heard the recruiter's here." "Nervous." "I hope they really let me play." "Yeah I hope so, too." "And I hope you get a scholarship." "You're a damn good player, miles." "Thanks, Wendy." "Okay, we're all rooting for you." "Thanks." "Miles, you know you shouldn't be here." "Just one set." "Son, I can't, we've already been through this." "Mr. Wilson, please." "It's already been decided." "But he's already here." "It doesn't change anything, I'm sorry." "Number 17 can't play." "All right, son, you heard the man." "No, I'm ready to play, I'm playing." "It's not happening, miles." "No, I'm playing." "Number 17 is ejected." "Let's not make a scene." "All right, I'll go." "Excuse me, excuse me." " Can we talk about this?" " No, not now." "I hate this town and everyone in it." "Why won't they let me play?" "I'm sorry you didn't get to play." "Why does this even matter to them?" "!" "I'm trapped in this town forever!" "Surrounded by people who hate my guts." "No, no one hates your guts." "Then why are they doing this to me!" "?" "I wasn't supposed to lose my job," "I wasn't supposed to lose my dad," "I was supposed to go to Chicago." "Everyone and everything is against me." "Miles." "We're gonna get you there." "Thanks, mom." "Miles!" "This is a very exciting and very proud moment." "And I ask you all to stand please." "And it is my great honor to present the Pondley high school graduating class of 2000!" "Hey, thanks for everything, Leslie." "So you're leaving leaving?" "You're not even staying for cake?" "I'll be back for Thanksgiving." "Well we're gonna miss you around here." "Chicago's getting a good one." "And I don't know if your mom told you the good news, but principle Wilson is retiring this summer and I am on the short list of candidates." "That's great, coach." "Yeah." "And you know that my gym door is always open for my favorite lady warrior, right?" "Got it?" "Got it." "Okay." "Oh before I forget." "The girls on the team pitched in and we got you some train passes." "So you should be all set for getting yourself around the city for the next few months." "Wow, this is so nice." "I don't know what to say." "Just come hug me and get out of here before I start to cry." "I'm proud of you." "Thank you." "You ready?" "Yeah." "Take care." "You too." "This is it!" "You all set?" "I think so." "I'm so proud of you, honey." "Now remember, always keep your wallet in your front pocket." "Don't go anywhere unsafe by yourself." "And you can always call a taxi if you need to." "Mom." "Come on." "It's a mom's job to worry." "Oh." "What's this?" "Mom, where'd you get all this?" "I sold dad's bronco." "Awe man." "You didn't have to do all that." "It was time." "It was just sitting there." "It's for you to get started in Chicago!" "Thank you." "Oh!" "And this is a li'l going away/graduation gift." "You can open it on the bus." "This is all too much." "I wanted to do it." "Are you sure you're gonna be all right while I'm gone?" "We'll see, it's a whole new world." "Yes it is." " I love you." " I love you, too." "Now go."