The Death of Richie

Sheila:
[reading from paper at gravesite service] To us you will exist in the flowers, in the trees, and in all the things of nature that God has given us. Richie, you are now in a world of peace and happiness forever. Pray for us as we pray for you. And somewhere, sometime, we will join you. With love from all your friends. [she places flowers on Richie's casket and steps back]

Brick:
[after finding Richie passed out in an arcade] Richie... what're you doing, man?

Richie Werner:
[slurred] Reds.

Brick:
How many did you take? [Richie holds up nine fingers... Brick is horrified] Nine? You took nine reds? What're you tryin' to do? Nobody does nine reds!

George Werner:
[answering phone at home] Hello?

Principal:
Mr. Werner?

George Werner:
That's right.

Principal:
[sternly] This is Jim Fischer, I'm the principal at the high school. Would you please come over and pick up your son?

George Werner:
[concerned] What's the matter, is Richie sick or something?

Principal:
So far this morning, he's threatened the study hall supervisor, was very abusive to me, and tried to attack the school nurse!

George Werner:
[resignedly] I'll be right over. [hangs up]

George Werner:
[George has played the tape of a phone call he recorded between Richie and Brick... he shuts it off] You boys heard enough? Now that's just a sample! I have a few more of these cassettes!

Peanuts:
[indignant] What're you gonna do with them?

George Werner:
[snatching hat from Peanuts' head and shoving it into his chest] I should tell the police... and that would be the finish of anybody on parole. [he glares pointedly at a stricken Brick] But I think the fair thing to do is to call your parents.

Peanuts:
Don't call my folks! They got enough problems! Why are you doing this, anyway?

George Werner:
TO SAVE MY SON!

Richie Werner:
[smiling] Don't look at me, guys.

Mark:
Okay, okay... go ahead, tell them! I mean, what do I care? They know all about it!

George Werner:
I don't think that's true!

Brick:
What if we promise to stop?

George Werner:
I wouldn't believe you. But in spite of that, I'm going to give you another chance. I won't call the police, I won't tell your parents. And in return, Richie isn't to see any one of you anymore... or talk to you on the phone. [boys pause, defeated] Okay, say your goodbyes. [all four go outside]

Carol Werner:
[after Richie has stumbled home high on reds and pot, Carol turns to George] What's wrong with him?

George Werner:
[disgusted] Same thing as always. [walks down the hall to Richie's room, not seeing him, finds hidden panel in closet leading to cubbyhole where Richie is withdrawing... George grabs him and hauls him out]

Richie Werner:
Go away! Go away! Leave me alone! STOP IT! STOP IT! [Richie runs out sobbing and into Carol's arms... she leads him out of the room while George destroys the cubbyhole's contents]

Carol Werner:
[Carol has come into Richie's room on Christmas Eve to fetch him to socialize with his extended family... he's laying on his bed smoking a joint. Carol is shocked and dismayed] Put that out. Put it out and get out there and say hello to Grandma and Grandpa. [Richie doesn't respond] Oh, please Richie... not tonight. It's Christmas Eve, please. Please get up and come with me.

Richie Werner:
[slurred] I can't, Mom... I can't. [Carol slowly turns and leaves... she and George exchange guilty glances while the guests sing Christmas carols in the living room]

George Werner:
[Richie stumbles out of his room, obviously stoned... George and Carol are watching from the dinner table] That promise you and your buddies made me didn't last long, did it?

Richie Werner:
What we do is no business of yours.

George Werner:
Well, then I'll let the police handle it. [Richie tries to walk past George, who blocks him in]

Richie Werner:
[snarling] Get out of my way...

George Werner:
You're not going anywhere!

Richie Werner:
You better do what I tell you, man! [pats breast pocket of his jacket] I got a razor right here, you stand there and I'll use it!

Carol Werner:
[anguished] Please! STOP IT! You know, Richie... if you hate us so much, everything we are, everything we believe, then why don't you just go away? Please... please, just go away! [breaks down in tears]

George Werner:
[to Carol, putting his arm around her] I'm sorry. [Richie leaves]

Richie Werner:
[Richie has taken 'reds' to confront his father about his intervention of going to the police... George has retreated to the basement] YOU! Did you tell those cops I use dope, huh? HUH?

Carol Werner:
[Richie throws bucket from basement steps in his father's direction] Richie, stop it!

Richie Werner:
I asked you a question! I want an answer, huh? [picks up an awl and feigns jabs at George] Did you tell those cops I use dope? You answer me!

Richie Werner:
[George reaches behind himself to a pistol in his toolbox] HUH? I got you now, you answer me!

Richie Werner:
[George produces gun and aims it at Richie] A gun! Look at this, he's got a gun! Look at that! God! Shoot me!

Carol Werner:
[hysterical] STOP IT!

Richie Werner:
Come on, use it! USE IT USE IT! SHOOT ME!

Carol Werner:
[screaming... George c*cks the gun's hammer] RICHIE, STOP IT!

Richie Werner:
SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME! [collapses from his drug-induced rage and drops awl... George kicks it away from him]

Carol Werner:
RICHIE! RICHIE! [Richie stumbles upstairs... Carol turns to George] Oh my God! What are we going to do?

George Werner:
[calmly] I don't know... I don't know.

Richie Werner:
[stumbles back downstairs with a knife in his hand] Shoot me! SHOOT ME! SHOOT ME!

Richie Werner:
[George takes aim] SHOOT ME! SHOOT MEEE! SHOOOOT MEEEE! [George fires gun, Richie screams]