100312 Aliens in America Written By Moses Port & David Guarascio Revised First Draft January 20th, 2006

ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. ALTOONA, WISCONSIN - EARLY MORNING Over the following voice over, we see shots of Altoona, Wisconsin, population 6237. We see the local movie theater, the simple houses, dairy farms, Altoona High, etc. JUSTIN (V.O.) If a space alien decided to land in Altoona, Wisconsin, and he was sixteen years old, and his parents didn't want to home school him, he would go to my high school. And it would be tough for him. People would make fun of his tentacles, his gills, his exposed brain. This would basically ruin his entire school year. And there'd be nothing he could do about it, except wait for his spaceship to take him home. CUT TO: CLOSE-UP - JUSTIN'S HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK PHOTO We see a photo of Justin Hobgood, an awkward, lanky sixteen- year-old wearing braces and a turtleneck. Even his smile seems awkward -- he's part Napoleon Dynamite and part Anthony Michael Hall in the Breakfast Club. JUSTIN (V.O.) I didn't have a space ship. And each year of high school was worse than the last. But all that was about to change. CUT TO: INT. HOBGOOD KITCHEN -- MORNING Justin sits at the kitchen table licking his upper teeth where his braces used to be. Across from him sits his father, Gary Hobgood, early forties, good natured. Franny Hobgocd -- Justin’'s mom, attractive, early forties -- cooks breakfast. Both Gary and Franny speak with a pronounced Midwestern JUSTIN (V.0.) Because right before my junior year, I got my braces off. GARY Justin, you need to stop licking your teeth like that. It's distracting to look at.

FRANNY Gary, hush up. He's just excited because he's not going to look like he used to. JUSTIN I just can't get enough of how this feels. I mean, they're really gone. FRANNY Now open up. We don't need any hash browns caught in our million dollar smile. Justin opens wide for Franny to examine. JUSTIN (V.O0.) This is my mom. Three years earlier she resigned as president of the PTA because she wanted to focus on "normalizing me". Satisfied, Franny steps back and admires her son. FRANNY Justin, if I was a girl your age... JUSTIN (V.O0.) Now how normal would you be with this kind of guidance? FRANNY You know I should drive him over to Milwaukee. Visit one of those modeling agencies. JUSTIN Really? GARY Not a bad idea, Franny. They take all kinds. Stan Parker's kid just did a print ad for Home Depot. That's one year of college. JUSTIN (V.0.) My dad had a good job, but he was always looking for a new way to make money. He didn't like "traditional" investing. He said that was for suckers. He liked to think outside the box. FRANNY (to Gary) Honey, did you feed the alpacas yet?

JUSTIN (V.O.) Which is why we were raising six alpacas in our backyard. GARY Ooh, thanks Franny. Gary gets up from the table. GARY (CONT'D) One more month and I can start shearing them. Then our new address will be easy street. Gary gives Franny a smooch and exits out the back. Justin reaches for a blueberry from a bowl on the table. He picks it up and is about to put it in his mouth when: FRANNY Justin Hobgood, if you eat that blueberry, I will beat you into tomorrow. JUSTIN That seems a little extreme, mom. FRANNY I'm sorry, honey. It's just... with your braces off and your new hair cut and now that the lisp is gone... this is your year. And I have -- no we have -- worked too hard to undermine it with a blueberry stain on those pearly whites. JUSTIN You're right. As Justin carefully puts the blueberry back... EXT. ALTOONA HIGH SCHOOL -- MORNING Justin, for the first time in his life, confidently walks toward the entrance of the school. He stops to look at it. JUSTIN (V.O.) The only thing crazier than my mom saying all those things was the fact that I believed it. But that's what made the dance between us so special. As Justin stares off at the school with satisfaction he unconsciously begins to lick his upper teeth where his braces used to be.

CLAIRE (0.S.) Cut that out. Claire, a sophomore, and Justin's younger sister steps into frame. JUSTIN (V.0.) This is my little sister Claire. JUSTIN (CONT'D) (re: licking) Was I doing it again? CLAIRE Yes, and it's disgusting. JUSTIN (V.O.) I forgot to mention her, but that's the way it goes with little sisters, right? We now see Claire in full view and she's anything but forgettable. If you took a picture of her, and put it on a poster you could sell it to every high school boy in the country. And their fathers. JUSTIN (CONT'D) Listen, I gotta roll. I'm gonna drop by the office and say hello to Mrs. Schneider. See how her summer went -- GIRL (0.S.) Claire! CLAIRE (screaming with excitement) Oh my god! Claire runs to a group of girls. They're thrilled to see her and they absorb her into a big group hug. Justin looks off at this and then continues on his way. But not before: KURT PALLADINI Hobgood. Kurt and Mike Palladini approach. They're not cool kids, they're not jocks, they're not smart but they are jerks. They don't have a record yet but they will one day. tenses, slightly. This is his first test. JUSTIN Hey.

JUSTIN (V.0.) (CONT'D) These are the Palladini twins. Last year they put a gun in my mouth. It turned out to be a water pistol, but I didn't know that at the time. MIKE PALLADINI Dude, what happened to your sister? JUSTIN What? JUSTIN (V.0.) (CONT'D) There are some things you don't notice about your sister until someone else tells you. KURT PALLADINI Over the summer, she got fine. (gestures breasts) Where'd that come from? JUSTIN Where'd what come from? MIKE PALLADINI Her giant breasts! What are you gay?! JUSTIN No, I just don't -- KURT PALLADINI Are you on that? JUSTIN Oon my sister? KURT PALLADINI You gotta get on that! MIKE PALLADINI Man, if she was our sister, I'd be up in her room every night! KURT PALLADINI No, man, I'd be up in her room every night! Mike takes umbrage at this and gets in his brother's face. MIKE PALLADINT If she's in our house, she's goin' me! KURT PALLADINI

6. Kurt pushes Mike. Mike pushes back. They fall to the ground and begin beating on each other. As a crowd forms around them, Justin walks off deep in thought. JUSTIN (V.0.) As the Palladinis pounded each other, something occurred to me: that went really, really well. Sure it was degrading and offensive -- and frankly a little confusing. I mean, they have a sister. What goes on in that house? -- But the truth is I came out unscathed. They didn't even call me a name. The day was starting out good, but it was about to get even better... INT. HALLWAY Justin walks down the hallway. He is stopped by a student with a clipboard. JUSTIN (V.0.) In the hallway, a senior approached me and asked if I'd sign a petitionm. And I did. Justin signs his name. JUSTIN (CONT'D) Not because he was a senior. But because I did think the student body deserved a coke machine in the cafeteria. INT. CLASSROOM -- LATER Justin is seated in a class full of students. JUSTIN (V.O.) And in civics, someone asked me to pass a note for them. Justin surreptitiously receives a note from the guy behind him and passes it just as smoothly to the girl in front of him. He then signals a thumbs up to the guy who initiated the pass. Mission accomplished. CUT TO:

INT. BOYS LOCKER ROOM -- DAY A group of guys congregates in the locker room dressed in their maroon and white gym uniforms. Justin stands listening in but outside the circle. JUSTIN (V.O.) Then before gym in the boys' locker room, historically a place of unspeakable torture, a group of guys were talking about the different girls they had sex with last night. And one of them took a step back so I could join the conversatiomn. We see a guy take a step back. And Justin, trying to be as cool as possible, even though his heart is exploding, steps into the circle. JUSTIN (V.0.) (CONT'D) All I did was listen, but that was enough for me. We see Justin laugh with the group. JUSTIN (V.0O.) (CONT'D) One of the guys said he had sex with Claire last night, which I knew was a lie, but I didn't correct him. The moment was too perfect. Justin licks his teeth. INT. HALLWAY -- DAY Justin is at his locker. JUSTIN (V.0.) And just when I thought the day couldn't get any better... AMY Did you get your braces off? We see Amy Greenblatt, cute, smart, a little on the fringe. Justin's dream. JUSTIN (V.O.) Amy Greenblatt came over to talk to me. As Justin smiles, and they begin to talk...

INT. HALLWAY -- LATER Claire is talking with some friends, including Stephanie and Jennifer. JUSTIN (V.0.) Good things were happening to Claire as well. Debbie, a friend of Claire's runs up to the group. DEBBIE Claire, you made the list! CLAIRE What list? The group gathers around Debbie as they look at a copy of "the list". In the background other students share copies of the list as well. JUSTIN (V.O.) "The list" was a compilation of names that the coolest senior guys put together of the ten "most bangable" girls at Altoona High. CLAIRE Bangable? Is that good? DEBBIE Are you kidding? It's amazing! STEPHANIE And you're number three! DEBBIE No sophomore's ever been in the top five. STEPHANIE Claire, you're like a legend. A moment as Claire takes this in. Her world's about to change and she's just beginning to realize it. JENNIFER Oh my god. Look who's number eight. INT. HALLWAY -- SAME TIME We see Amy talking to Justin. It's actually happening.

AMY Did you see Mr. Foster's skanky hairpiece? JUSTIN I know, it's like can't he wash it or something? As she laughs, Kurt Palladini quickly approaches. KURT PALLADINI Hey, Hobgood, did you see who made the list? JUSTIN Hey, Kurt, we're actually in the middle of something. KURT PALLADINT (laughing) You did! You're the eighth most bangable chick in the school! Kurt pushes the list in Justin's face. We push in to an EXTREME CLOSE-UP of the list and scan down to number eight. There it is: "Justin Hobgood". KURT PALLADINI (CONT'D) How classic! AMY Shut up, Kurt. Justin goes white. AMY {CONT'D) Justin, it's just a stupid joke. It doesn't mean anything. Justin backs away and then begins running. And running. CUT TO: EXT. ALTOONA HIGH SCHOOL -- MOMENTS LATER Justin runs out the front door of the school. JUSTIN (V.O.) But it did mean something. Every year some poor bastard gets put on the list. 2And this year it was me. EXT. MAIN STREET -- MOMENTS LATER Justin continues to run.

JUSTIN (V.0.) And in that moment, I realized the problem was never my braces or my height or anything like that. The problem was me. And I was never going to change. EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET -- MOMENTS LATER He's running down his block. JUSTIN (V.O0.) I might as well have had tentacles and an exposed brain. Justin runs up to his house. JUSTIN (V.O.) (CONT'D) I was a space alien. Only no one was coming to get me. (beat) At least not yet. He disappears into his house and slams the door behind him. CUT TO: INT. ALTOONA HIGH GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OFFICE -- MOMENTS LATER Franny sits across from Justin's guidance counselor, Mr. Matthews, a pleasant looking man in his early forties. JUSTIN (V.O0.) First thing next morning, my mother marched down to my guidance counselor's office. There was no danger of embarrassing me because I refused to go to school that day. MR. MATTHEWS Franny, I've also been thinking about Justin's situation, and I think I have a solution. FRANNY Okay. .. MR. MATTHEWS Exchange student. FRANNY You mean send him someplace? MR. MATTHEWS No, no, you take someone in.

Go on. MR. MATTHEWS It's a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to learn about another culture, and Justin's essentially guaranteed a friendship. FRANNY He does have gome friends, you know. MR. MATTHEWS I know, I've met them. And more of those are not going to help Justin. He comes around the desk for the big sell. MR. MATTHEWS (CONT'D) Franny, these kids we're bringing in, they're not the dregs. They're student leaders, athletes. I don't know if other countries have prom kings, but if they did, these would be the ones. (handing her a brochure) Take a look. We see a handsome Nordic stud standing next to a very average looking kid. The copy reads "Meet your best friend in the world". FRANNY (making sure) And this blond boy's the exchange student? MR. MATTHEWS He was in Madison last year. (re: geeky kid) And this young fella, he's now president of his student class. True story. FRANNY How soon can we get one? INT. JUSTIN'S ROCM -- DAY Franny is seated on Justin's bed. Justin is standing by his desk. Gary is in the doorway.

JUSTIN You want to import a friend for me?! FRANNY Don't think of it that way. We'd be teaching someone about our culture and we'd be learning about his. GARY Franny, I'm not sure about this. FRANNY well, it's too late, I said yes. GARY What? FRANNY Look, the original host family dropped out, and he's flying in tomorrow from London. I had to make a quick decision, these kids go fast. JUSTIN Well, how about what I want? GARY Justin, pipe down. (to franny) Honey, that's another mouth to feed. That would make eleven of us if you include the alpacas. FRANNY There's a five hundred dollar a month stipend. GARY (pleasantly surprised) Oh. FRANNY Justin, I think this will be good for you. JUSTIN Forget it. Claire can be friends with him. FRANNY Honey, Claire's very popular right now. She's not going to have time for this boy. GARY Franny, how many of these kids can we get?

JUSTIN Dad?! GARY What? That way you'd have a gang to pal around with. We could put some cots in the basement. FRANNY Gary, one per household. Franny goes to Justin. FRANNY (CONT'D) (gently) Honey, I just want what's best for you. JUSTIN {softening) I know... FRANNY Look, we'll try it with this boy for a little while. And if it doesn't work out, we can return him. Justin nods in acceptance. INT. CHIPPEWA VALLEY AIRPORT -- NEXT DAY It's a tiny commuter airport. Gary, Justin, and Franny stand at the only gate, awaiting the arrival of their guest. Franny holds up a sign that says "Welcome friend from American International Exchange Program". JUSTIN (V.O.) I decided to try and be positive about this. My mom was just looking out for me. And besides, a lot of cool people were from England: Paul McCartney, Patrick Stewart, David Beckham. By the way, liking soccer instead of football is apparently another thing that makes me "gay". Travelers begin arriving through the gate. GARY Hey, Franny, does the stipend come in a lump sum or monthly installments? FRANNY I don't know, hon.

Justin absently licks his teeth. FRANNY (CONT'D) Justin, please let's not have you licking your teeth be the first thing our visitor sees. A good looking blond teenager starts walking toward them. Franny excitedly takes a small step forward. The blond kid walks right by her. BLOND KID Mom! He hugs his mother. Franny's slightly deflated. FRANNY Oh, I guess that wasn't him. EXCHANGE STUDENT (0.S.) (upbeat) Are you the Hobgoods? Franny turns to see the exchange student, Raja Musharaff, a sixteen-year-old Pakistani Muslim, dressed in traditional Muslim garb, a kufi on his head and a shalwar kameez over his body. An uncomfortable beat. GARY (wary) Yes, we're the Hobgood's. RAJA (super upbeat) I am Raja! Your exchange student! JUSTIN (V.O.) If you listen closely you can hear my mom's heart shatter. As they stand there in total discomfort, we... Fade out. END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO INT. CHIPPEWA VALLEY AIRPORT -- CONTINUOUS Gary, Franny and Justin stand speechless before Raja. FRANNY (struggling) Um, Gary... GARY I'm sorry, son, there might be some confusion. We were told our student was coming from London. RAJA That's me. I started in Pakistan, but I flew in from London. GARY Oh, then that's what it must be. Our mistake. I'm Mr. Hobgood, this is my wife Mrs. Hobgood, and my son Justin. RAJA You are such good people to open your home to me. And I thank and praise Allah for bringing you into my life. (looking up) Thank you, Allah for the Hobgoods. They stand awkwardly for a beat. GARY We should get going. INT. CAR -- LATER Gary, Justin and Franny are all squeezed into the front seat. Raja rides alone in the back, smiling out the window. JUSTIN (V.0.) That was the quietest car ride of our lives. INT. HOBGOOD HOUSE/HALLWAY -- LATER Franny enters with the key, followed by Justin, Gary and Raja who is carrying a giant duffel bag.

JUSTIN As we welcomed Raja into our home, he was too giddy with excitement to realize the level of panic and confusion that had over taken us. RAJA What a beautiful home? FRANNY Thank you, Raja. The first door on the left is the guest room. Make yourself at home and we'll see you in the morning. RAJA (looks at watch) Forgive my confusion. Is it not 6:30 here? FRANNY Raja, I'm your mother while you're here. You've had a long flight. And I insist you go to bed. RAJA {(humbly) Of course. Raja carries his bag back to his room. They watch silently until he exits and the door shuts. They immediately let out all their anxiety in a hushed but frantic conversation. FRANNY What are we going to do? GARY Look, Franny, I don't think there's anything we can do. JUSTIN But Mom said I could return him if I wanted to. I want to return him. GARY Franny, would you please tell your son that we can't do that. FRANNY I don't see why not. That is not the boy I asked for. That is not the boy I was promised. JUSTIN Dad, if I walk into school with him tomorrow, I will be crucified.

Raja open Raja goes FRANNY This could be the worst thing that ever happened to him, Gary. GARY You two are looking at this all wrong. We just found someone a little lower on the food chain. I think Justin would enjoy not being at the bottom anymore. up his door. They immediately fake cover. RAJA Excuse me. There is a book on the night stand. Would it be okay with you if I moved it, to make room for my book? FRANNY That'll be fine. RAJA Many thanks. back in. FRANNY What about the terrorist question? GARY (c'mon) Are you serious? FRANNY They pose as students, Gary. Bill O'Reilly said so. You need to watch more news. GARY It's Altoona, Wisconsin. FRANNY Oh, so now Altoona's not important enough to blow up. Where's your civic pride? JUSTIN Well, I hope he does blow up Altoocna. Because my life could not get any worse! Justin dramatically exits to his room. A beat.

FRANNY (softly) Gary, I'm sure Mr. Matthews didn't intend for this to happen. Can we just go down there tomorrow afternoon and straighten this out? GARY Fine. But I want a replacement. We made a commitment to the program and that means something. (then) You know they might let us have two if we could find some twins. No one likes to split up a family. INT. HOBGOOD HOUSE/HALLWAY -- MORNING Gary walks down the hall in his robe, sipping coffee. JUSTIN (V.0.) Having gone to sleep hours before the rest of us, Raja woke up at 4 AM, but he waited until someone else was up before he made an appearance. As Gary passes Raja's room, Raja quickly pokes his head out the door. He has a slightly pained look on his face. RAJA Mr. Hobgood, may I use the bathroom? GARY Raja, you don't have to ask to use the can. I'm sorry? The john. RAJA I'm sorry? GARY (pointing) The bathroom's over there. Raja quickly crosses to the bathroom, as Gary wonders what to make of him. Who is this guy? CUT TO:

INT. HOBGOOD KITCHEN -- MORNING Gary, Justin, and Raja are at the table. Franny serves breakfast. Raja again wears his traditional Muslim garb. JUSTIN (V.0.) At breakfast my mom found more reasons to be suspicious of Raja. FRANNY (incredulous) You don't want bacon? RAJA No, thank you. FRANNY Or sausage? RAJA Thank you, but no. FRANNY (a little frustrated) Okay, I guess I can cut you some ham from the fridge. RAJA I'm sorry, Mrs. Hobgood, but my religion forbids me from eating pork. FRANNY Alright. (under her breath) I've just never heard of anyone not having breakfast meat. JUSTIN (V.O.) My dad on the other hand was quite impressed with Raja. He'd never seen a teenager clean before. QUICK MONTAGE OF RAJA CLEANING. GARY LEANS BACK AS RAJA CLEARS THE TABLE. GARY WATCHES RAJA WASH THE DISHES AS HE POURS SOME COFFEE. GARY STANDS TO THE SIDE AS RAJA SWEEPS THE KITCHEN FLOOR. JUSTIN (V.0.) (CONT'D) The only time I ever lifted a broom was when I was a witch for Halloween. That did not go over well with the Palladini twins. As Raja finishes sweeping, Gary walks over to Franny:

GARY Are you sure you don't want to keep him around? You could use the hand. FRANNY (slightly offended) I keep my house just fine by myself. GARY Alright. But just in case the next kid isn't as helpful, I'm going to have him brush down the alpacas before we ship him out. INT. JUSTIN'S ROOM -- MORNING Justin lies in his bed playing a game boy. Raja pokes his head in the open door. RAJA Justin, your mother told me you are i1l1. I hope your condition improves. And I look forward to attending school with you tomorrow. JUSTIN Yeah, it could be awhile. I'm pretty sick. RAJA Oh. Then I will pray for you. Justin takes Raja in for a beat. JUSTIN Can you dial it down at all? INT. RAJA'S ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER Justin is going through Raja's clothes, picking out something for him to wear. JUSTIN (V.0.) No matter how much I wanted to get rid of Raja, I couldn't let him walk into school looking like that. As for his personality there was nothing I could do. Justin pulls out jeans and a sweatshirt. JUSTIN (CONT'D) How about this?

RAJA No, I like it. mine. But today is my first day. I do not mean to sound prideful, but... I want to make an impression. Justin hands him the outfit. JUSTIN Just trust me. EXT. DRIVEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER Raja, still wearing his traditional garb, walks to the car with Franny. JUSTIN (V.O.) Turned out Raja could be somewhat stubborn. But I had to hand it to him, if I were in his shoes I would have been freaking. He had a real sense of himself. RAJA Thank you for driving me to school today, Mrs. Hobgood. FRANNY (tired of thank yous) You're welcome, Raja. Claire, looking awesome, approaches. As Franny gets into the front seat, Raja looks at Claire speechless. JUSTIN (V.O.) In fact the only time I saw him thrown for a loop that morning was when he met my sister. CLAIRE I guess you're Raja. RAJA (awe-struck) Who are you? CLAIRE Claire. RAJA Are you here always? Claire ignores this and gets into the driver's side front seat. Raja, now having learned the "custom" on the drive from the airport, tries to join them in the front seat.

CLAIRE Mom? FRANNY Raja, three in the front is an airport rule. We're just driving in town. (fake sweet, off his confused look) Just get in the back. EXT. ALTOONA HIGH SCHOOL -- MORNING Raja and Claire step out of the car. RAJA Claire, do you know where -- Claire quickly heads off to her friends. Raja watches her go and then turns to speak to Franny who quickly peels away. Raja is on his own. CUT TO: INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER Students mill about, ready to start their day. But it's a little quieter than usual. Why? Because there's a Pakistani Muslim walking down the hallway. JUSTIN (V.O.) You know that nightmare where you're standing in front of your whole school naked. That's what Raja was going through. Only it was worse. Because he was wearing a shalwar kameez. INT. HISTORY CLASSROOM -- LATER A typical high school classroom. Raja sits near the front. Miss Mirante, a thirty-something teacher, leads the class. She's the most free thinking educator at Altoona High. Which means she occasionally uses soy milk. MISS MIRANTE Class, I'm going to put aside our lesson today, because we have a special guest. For one year, we will be in the presence of a real live Pakistani. Who practices Muslimism. That means we have an opportunity to learn about his culture. And he about ours. So let's begin a dialogue.

She walks A student, toward Raja. MISS MIRANTE (CONT'D) Raja, you're so different from us. How does that feel? RAJA I am not sure I understand. MISS MIRANTE Think about it. (then) Now how does everyone else feel about Raja and his differences? Jessica, raises her hand. MISS MIRANTE (CONT'D) Jessica. JESSICA Well, I guess I feel angry. Because his people blew up the buildings in New York. MISS MIRANTE {encouraging) That's good. RAJA (confused) But, that is not true. MISS MIRANTE Raja, in America you have to wait until you're called on. And I'd appreciate a raised hand. (then) Now who else is angry at Raja? As other hands go up: JUSTIN (V.O.) Sadly, this was the highlight of Raja's day. INT. HOBGOOD KITCHEN -- LATER Justin is reading a comic book and licking his teeth. hear a door slam. Raja marches into the kitchen, agitated. the table. 23. CUT TO: We cbviously He plops down in a chair and drops his head on A beat.

JUSTIN (wary) So how was school? RAJA What is wrong with the people of Altoona High?! Raja stands. JUSTIN What? RAJA They are like wolves! BAnd uneducated about world events! (where are my manners) I'm sorry, how are you feeling? JUSTIN Oh, uh, better. RAJA (rolling again) And what is "fudge Pakistan"? All day long I'm called this!! It's confusing. Fudge is so delicious. Yet they keep laughing! (then) I hope these people are not your friends. JUSTIN I think we're safe on that one. RAJA I will not lie. The brochure was very misleading. Raja closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and begins chanting the shahada, a Muslim affirmation of faith. RAJA (CONT'D) {chanting) Ashhadu al-la ilaha illa-Llah wa ashhadu Anna Muhammadar-rasul Allah. Raja takes a deep breath. He seems to have relaxed. A beat. JUSTIN (wary) What's goin' on there, Raja? RAJA That is a prayer called the shahada. (MORE)

RAJA (CONT'D} It reminds me of my faith and bathes me in light when my soul is filled with darkness. JUSTIN Uh-huh. RAJA You do not pray sometimes when you are upset? What do you do to lift your spirit? JUSTIN I just usually eat a brownie or buy a CD. RAJA And this helps? JUSTIN For like an hour or so. And then you feel kind of empty again. So, then you just... eat another brownie or buy something else. RAJA I see. Raja notices the empty plate of brownies on the table. He looks back to Justin. JUSTIN (re: plate) Rough week. RAJA Is this something you want to talk about? A beat. Justin begins animatedly talking to Raja. JUSTIN (V.O.) Maybe it was because I just needed to vent or maybe there's just something about Raja that makes you want to open up. But either way, I just started talking. And once I got going, I couldn't stop. EXT. BACKYARD -- LATER They kick a soccer ball to each other, as the alpacas roam around them.

JUSTIN (V.0.) I told him my whole life story. Not just what happened, but how I really felt about things. How lonely I could be, or how scared I could get. I mean stuff I wouldn't even tell the guys from chorus. INT. JUSTIN'S ROOM -- LATER Justin holds his pillow as he continues to share. Raja listens intently. JUSTIN I even told him how sometimes I'd pretend my pillow was Amy Greenblatt and that I'd make out with it. And he didn't smirk, or laugh, or make fun of me. Not once. Even when I accidentally sprayed on his face. Justin reacts, having just let some spittle fly from his mouth. Unfazed, Raja wipes his face and encourages Justin to keep talking. CUT TO: INT. HOBGOOD DEN -- LATER Justin cranks up the stereo and begins showing Raja how to play the air guitar. JUSTIN (V.0.) It was strange. I always felt like an outsider and a weirdo, and then here comes this kid from a village in Pakistan, and suddenly I'm not an outsider anymore. (content) Just a weirdo. Justin smashes his air guitar ala Pete Townsend. Fade out. END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE INT. ALTOONA HIGH GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OFFICE -- LATER Mr. Matthews is seated behind his desk. Gary and Franny are sitting down across from him. FRANNY Carl, thank you for seeing us. There has been a huge mistake. MR. MATTHEWS So, I take it you've met Raja. Franny's jaw drops in disbelief. FRANNY You knew about this?! GARY And also, when's the first check coming? FRANNY Gary, please. MR. MATTHEWS If it means anything I do apologize. FRANNY You said he was from London! MR. MATTHEWS I said he was flying in from London. I can't help it if your imagination ran wild. FRANNY Carl! MR. MATTHEWS What could I do? I had a situation. Once the original host family learned that a Pakistani Muslim was coming, they were understandably concerned. So they dropped out. FRANNY Which is what I would have done. MR. MATTHEWS Which is why I didn't tell you. We can go round and round on this, Franny.

FRANNY Carl, you might as well go back to selling cars, because you are nothing but a liar. MR. MATTHEWS Now hold on, Franny. That's my character you're talking about. GARY What Franny's saying is she'd like to trade in Raja for another model. Maybe one with a different coat of paint, if you know what I mean. FRANNY (for the record) I'm not prejudiced. I don't have a problem with the boy's color. I have a problem with his religion. MR. MATTHEWS Franny, I gotta say I thought I was pawning off Raja on a much more tolerant family. FRANNY I came to you because I was concerned about Justin. How does this help Justin? MR. MATTHEWS Look, I'll admit there's some collateral damage here. But at this point, my hands are tied. I mean this thing is a political nightmare. The school board's involved, not to mention the American International Exchange Program. (looks around, then whispers) They're a lot more powerful than you want to know. FRANNY What about terrorism? GARY Not that again, he's just a kid. MR. MATTHEWS I gotta agree with Gary. But if it means anything, authorities are monitoring the situation. Now I'm sorry you're upset. But maybe this will help. 28.

29. Mr. Matthews reaches into a drawer and pulls out an envelope. He hands it to Gary who opens it up and examines the check. GARY We're doing the right thing, Franny. INT. HOBGOOD HOUSE -- LATER Franny glumly enters the house and puts her stuff away. JUSTIN (V.O.) While my dad sprinted down to the bank, my mom shifted her concern to me. FRANNY (calling out) Justin. INT. HALLWAY/JUSTIN'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS Franny approaches Justin's room. FRANNY Justin. Franny opens the door. She stops dead in her tracks and goes white with fear. Raja and Justin are on the floor performing salat which is a ritual Muslim prayer. At first they don't see her as their heads are bowed to the floor and both hands are flat on the ground. RAJA {chanting) Wa min sharri ghaasiqgin idhaa wa min sharri-n-naafaathaati fi-1- quad, wa min sharri haasidin icha hasad. .. They sit up from their prostrate position but remain on their knees. Justin notices Franny. JUSTIN (upbeat) Mom! FRANNY (shell-shocked) Hi, honey.

JUSTIN (how cool is this!) Raja's doing his daily salat so I'm praying towards Mecca with him. FRANNY (bewildered) Okay, um, I, okay, yeah -- Franny closes the door, grabs the nearest phone and dials furiously. As she walks through the house: FRANNY (CONT'D) (into phone, loud whispering) Gary, pick up. Pick up! (then) Gary, thank god. INT. BANK -- CONTINUOUS Gary is at the teller window talking to Marge. GARY (into cell) Hey, hon, while I'm down here, I'm having some new checks printed up. What do you want, sea gulls or pandas? INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS FRANNY Gary, get home here right now! Justin's on the floor praying to Mecca! GARY (0.S.) (into cell) What's that, hon? FRANNY (slower) He is praying! To Mecca! -- CONTINUOUS GARY Franny, I don't know what that means. (MORE)

GARY (CONT'D) (covers phone, re: checks) Margie, what do you like? INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS FRANNY Raja is turning Justin into a Muslim! INT. BANK -- CONTINUOUS MARGIE I like the pandas. GARY Margie, likes the pandas. But I'm partial to the sea gulls. INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS Franny hangs up the phone in frustration. Claire through the front door. CLAIRE Mom, I really need to talk to you. FRANNY Claire, not now. CLAIRE (deep breath) I want to go on the pill. FRANNY What?! CLAIRE It's my body, it's my life. FRANNY (frantic, hands her money) I really can't do this right now. Please just go to the market and pick up a chicken for dinner. We'll talk later. CLAIRE Fine. By the way, I'm bringing Jeffrey tonight.

32. Claire starts to leave. FRANNY Wait, who's Jeffrey? CLAIRE He's a part of this. explain later. Claire exits. After a beat, Franny shakes this off and heads back to Justin's room. CUT TO: INT. JUSTIN'S ROOM -- CONTINUQUS Raja and Justin are on the computer. Franny bursts in. JUSTIN (V.O.) It was at that point my mother decided to take matters into her own hands. FRANNY Justin, you need to come with me. Now . JUSTIN Why? FRANNY Grammy is sick. JUSTIN (V.O.) Thig was probably the cruelest way my mother could have tricked me. CUT TO: INT. CAR -- MOMENTS LATER Franny, still in a tizzy, is driving. Justin is trying to keep it together. JUSTIN I can't lose Grammy right now! I just can't! FRANNY Calm down, Grammy's fine. JUSTIN (sniffles) What? FRANNY She's fine. Why were you praying with that boy?

They ride JUSTIN I wasn't really praying. I was just -- why would you say that about Grammy? FRANNY You are not becoming a Muslim! JUSTIN Well, of course I'm not. What are you talking about? FRANNY Raja is going home. I'm sending him home. JUSTIN No, no, no, wait, I like Raja now. FRANNY You're so impressionable. This is all my fault. JUSTIN Mom, we were wrong. Raja's awesome. FRANNY Justin, I know you don't understand, but someday you will. Now after we send him off we can go CD shopping or I'll make you a big tin of brownies, but this is how it has to be. JUSTIN (earnest, pleading) Please don't do this. FRANNY This conversation is over. silently. JUSTIN (V.0.) And it was over. My mom had made up her mind. INT. TRAVEL AGENT -- LATER Franny talks to a travel agent behind a desk. FRANNY I'd like one ticket from Eau Claire to Islamabad, please. 33. CUT TO: CUT TO:

INT. HOBGOOD KITCHEN -- LATER Raja is seated with Gary, who is showing him the checks. RAJA They are beautiful, Mr. Hobgood. GARY Thank you, Raja. Franny and Justin enter. GARY (CONT'D) (to Franny) I went with the sea gulls. Raja approves. Now what's this about Grammy? I just talked to her all she had was the sniffles. FRANNY That was a false alarm. But I'm afraid we do have some bad news. GARY What's wrong? She sits down next to Raja. FRANNY It seems there's been a problem with the exchange program's insurance. Unfortunately, you're going to have to go home. GARY What? FRANNY We just picked up the ticket at the gschool. I'm sorry. She puts it on the table. Raja takes all this in. RAJA (to Franny) Me as well. A JUSTIN (looking at his mother) Come on, Raja. I'll help you pack. Raja follows Justin down the hallway. 34.

35. GARY (softly) Franny... CUT TO: INT. RAJA'S ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER Justin is helping Raja pack his clothes into his duffel. Franny enters. FRANNY Do you need any help in here? RAJA Thank you, Mrs. Hobgood. I am almost done. FRANNY I am really sorry about this. RAJA I understand. FRANNY But you know in some ways this isn't s0 bad. I'm sure you've been a little homesick. And I bet your mother will be happy to see you. A beat as Raja continues packing. RAJA My mother passed away about a year ago. FRANNY (stunned) Oh. I... I didn't know. JUSTIN Raja, I'm so sorry. That must have been awful. RAJA It was... it is... Raja zips up his duffel bag, as Franny continues to stare. JUSTIN (V.O.) It's funny how everything you think about a person can change in an instant. For all the times my mother referred to Raja as "that boy", she really didn't see him as one until right then.

36. FRANNY You know, this is silly. Justin, start unpacking Raja's bag. JUSTIN Really? FRANNY If there's an insurance problem, we'll just have to tell that exchange program that the Hobgood's will cover it. If they have an issue with that, they can talk to me or Gary. (then softly, to Raja) That is if you still want to stay. RAJA I would very much like that. FRANNY So would I. CUT TO: INT. HOBGOOD KITCHEN -- LATER Justin sits next to Raja at the table. Gary, Franny and Claire are also there eating dinner with them. JUSTIN (V.O.) Dinner that night was one of the best meals we'd had in a long time. We stayed at that table for over three hours. No one wanted to be any place else. Raja said it reminded him of home. I even think Claire's new boyfriend had a good time. We now see that Claire is sitting next to the captain of the football team, Jeffrey. He is tall, handsome, and not that it should matter, black. JEFFREY This was a great meal, Mrs. H. FRANNY (smiling politely) Thank you, Jeffrey. As she stares at him for a beat too long, and everyone else continues to enjoy... Fade out.