Duckie: The Four of Us

EXT. ROSIE CITY – COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – LATE AFTERNOON

A battered outdoor basketball court sits behind an aging community center. The city hums beyond it. DUNK. DUNK. DUNK. DUCKIE, a young duck with a basketball and an enormous dream, dribbles toward the basket. He crosses left. Steps back. SHOOTS. SWISH. Duckie grins. On the bench, DOG watches with a clipboard. He has clearly been keeping track of everything. TURTLE sits beside him, already bored. CAPYBARA lounges in the bleachers wearing sunglasses despite the fading light.

DOG

That was exactly the same shot you missed seventeen times yesterday.

Duckie grabs the rebound.

DUCKIE

Which means I'm getting better.

TURTLE

You know what I'm getting better at?

Duckie looks over.

TURTLE

Leaving.

CAPYBARA

I give him three years.

DOG

Three years until what?

CAPYBARA

Until he's famous enough to forget us.

Duckie laughs.

DUCKIE

Never happening.

The four friends smile. For a moment, the court feels like the center of the world.

CUT TO:

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – MOMENTS LATER

The sun drops behind the buildings. Dog checks his clipboard.

DOG

You took two hundred and thirty-seven shots today.

DUCKIE

Two hundred and thirty-eight.

DOG

I counted.

DUCKIE

Then you missed one.

Turtle groans.

TURTLE

This is why nobody invites us anywhere.

Duckie spins the ball on one finger.

DUCKIE

One day, I'm going to play in a real arena.

TURTLE

And I'm going to be your coach.

DOG

You're not qualified.

TURTLE

I watched three basketball games.

CAPYBARA

Four.

TURTLE

Exactly.

They laugh. Duckie looks toward the city skyline.

DUCKIE

I'm serious.

The laughter fades.

DOG

We know.

DUCKIE

I don't just want to be good.

He looks at the basket.

DUCKIE

I want to be great.

Capybara removes his sunglasses.

CAPYBARA

Then we'd better keep the lights on.

Turtle smiles.

TURTLE

Yeah.

They look at one another. THE FOUR OF THEM.

CUT TO BLACK.

TITLE: DUCKIE: THE FOUR OF US

INT. DUCKIE'S BEDROOM – MORNING

BANG! BANG! BANG! Duckie sleeps under a blanket. The door flies open.

DOG

Wake up!

Duckie opens one eye.

DUCKIE

If this is about breakfast, I'm asleep.

DOG

It's not about breakfast.

Duckie sits up. Dog holds out his phone.

DOG

You need to read this.

Duckie takes it. ON THE PHONE: a message from a professional basketball scout.

SCOUT (TEXT)

Saw your footage from the community center. Would like to invite you to a private evaluation.

Duckie's eyes widen.

DUCKIE

Is this real?

DOG

Very real.

Turtle bursts into the hallway.

TURTLE

WE'RE GOING PRO!

CAPYBARA appears behind him.

CAPYBARA

I already have a driver.

DOG

You don't have a car.

CAPYBARA

I have a guy with a car.

TURTLE

Of course you do.

Duckie stares at the message.

DUCKIE

What if I'm not good enough?

Dog sits beside him.

DOG

Then we find out.

Duckie looks at his friends.

DUCKIE

And if I am?

DOG

Then we figure out what's next.

Duckie smiles. For once, the dream doesn't feel imaginary.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROSIE CITY – STREETS – DAY

A beat-up car moves through the city. Inside are Duckie, Dog, Turtle and Capybara. Turtle presses his face against the window.

TURTLE

That's the arena!

CAPYBARA

No, that's a supermarket.

TURTLE

I knew that.

Dog studies a printed schedule.

DOG

Tryout starts at two. Warm-up at one-thirty. We should arrive at one.

DUCKIE

What if I mess up?

DOG

You will.

Duckie looks at him.

DOG

Everyone does.

CAPYBARA

The trick is making your mistakes look intentional.

TURTLE

Like when you crashed the car?

CAPYBARA

Exactly.

Turtle looks horrified. Duckie laughs. The arena rises ahead. Huge. Professional. Real. Duckie goes quiet.

DOG

Hey.

Duckie turns.

DOG

Whatever happens in there, you're still you.

Duckie nods. The car pulls toward the arena entrance.

CUT TO:

INT. PROFESSIONAL ARENA – COURT – DAY

The empty arena is enormous. Duckie stands at center court. He looks tiny. A COACH and several players wait nearby.

COACH

Duckie?

DUCKIE

Yes, sir.

COACH

Let's see what you've got.

A whistle BLOWS. The tryout begins. Duckie shoots. CLANG. Another shot. OFF THE BACKBOARD. He tries to defend. His feet slip. He nearly crashes into the scorer's table. In the stands, Turtle winces.

TURTLE

He's doing great.

DOG

Stop talking.

CAPYBARA

This is all part of the strategy.

Duckie hears none of it. His breathing gets faster. The coach watches. A loose ball rolls across the court. Duckie's eyes follow it. Something changes. He SPRINTS. He grabs the ball. CROSSOVER. SPIN. He beats one defender. Then another. He drives to the basket. Silence. Duckie jumps. The ball leaves his hands. SWISH.

The coach lowers his clipboard.

COACH

Again.

Duckie smiles.

DUCKIE

Okay.

CUT TO:

INT. PROFESSIONAL ARENA – COURT – LATER

The tryout is nearly over. Duckie is transformed. He drives. Passes. Defends. Shoots. SWISH.

COACH

Again.

Duckie shoots. SWISH.

COACH

Again.

SWISH. The final whistle blows. Duckie bends over, exhausted. The coach approaches.

COACH

You've got something.

Duckie looks up.

COACH

Raw. Undisciplined. But real.

DUCKIE

Is that good?

The coach almost smiles.

COACH

It's enough.

EXT. ARENA – MOMENTS LATER

Duckie exits. Dog, Turtle and Capybara rush toward him.

TURTLE

So?!

DUCKIE

I think they liked me.

Dog stares.

DOG

Duckie.

DUCKIE

What?

DOG

You just got offered a contract.

Duckie freezes.

CAPYBARA

I told you I had a guy.

TURTLE

This isn't even about your guy!

All four explode into a group hug. Duckie looks back at the arena. His dream has a name now.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE – DUCKIE BECOMES A STAR

• Duckie signs his first professional contract.
• A photographer flashes cameras.
• Duckie walks onto a professional court for the first time.
• His first basket.
• His first win.
• Fans wearing his jersey.
• A billboard: DUCKIE – THE FUTURE IS HERE.
• Sports commentators discussing his potential.
• Turtle buying twelve copies of a magazine with Duckie's face on it.
• Dog creating a spreadsheet labeled DUCKIE'S CAREER.
• Capybara entering a celebrity party as if he belongs there.

END MONTAGE.

INT. DUCKIE'S NEW APARTMENT – NIGHT

The four friends sit around the living room. Turtle holds up a magazine.

TURTLE

You have a jawline now.

DUCKIE

I've always had a jawline.

DOG

Technically, yes.

Capybara raises a glass.

CAPYBARA

To Duckie.

They cheer. Duckie looks around.

DUCKIE

To all of us.

They clink glasses.

CUT TO:

INT. PROFESSIONAL ARENA – LOCKER ROOM – DAY

Months later. Duckie sits in front of a locker while a stylist adjusts his jacket. A PHONE flashes.

INTERVIEWER (O.S.)

Duckie, two minutes.

Duckie nods. His schedule is packed.

INT. ARENA – MEDIA ROOM – LATER

FLASHES. REPORTERS. MICROPHONES.

REPORTER

How does it feel to be the face of the next generation?

DUCKIE

It's amazing.

REPORTER

Who helped you get here?

Duckie hesitates.

DUCKIE

A lot of people.

Across the room, Dog watches. He notices Duckie's hesitation.

EXT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Duckie arrives at a private dinner. Dog, Turtle and Capybara wait outside.

TURTLE

We could go in.

DOG

We're not invited.

CAPYBARA

I could get us in.

DOG

That's not the point.

Duckie exits with executives. He sees his friends.

DUCKIE

Sorry. I have another thing.

TURTLE

Tomorrow?

DUCKIE

I have a meeting.

TURTLE

All day?

DUCKIE

Probably.

Turtle watches him leave.

DOG

He's changing.

CAPYBARA

Uh-oh.

CUT TO:

INT. ARENA – NIGHT

A NATIONAL BROADCAST. The biggest game of Duckie's young career. The crowd is deafening. SCOREBOARD: HOME TEAM DOWN BY TWO. Ten seconds. Duckie receives the ball.

SPORTS ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Ten seconds remaining!

Eight. Duckie drives left. Six. A defender cuts him off. Duckie spins. Four. He steps back. Three. He shoots. BUZZER. SWISH. The arena ERUPTS. Teammates lift Duckie into the air.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

DUCKIE WINS IT AT THE BUZZER!

INT. DUCKIE'S HOME – LATER

The four friends watch the replay. Turtle screams.

TURTLE

THAT'S MY GUY!

Dog smiles. Capybara is already on his phone.

CAPYBARA

I have six invitations.

DOG

To what?

CAPYBARA

Everything.

Duckie's phone BUZZES. He looks at it. A major endorsement company wants a meeting.

DUCKIE

Guys...

They look.

DUCKIE

This could be huge.

Dog's smile fades slightly.

CUT TO:

INT. CORPORATE BOARDROOM – DAY

A polished executive, MR. VALE, slides a contract across the table.

VALE

This deal changes your life.

Duckie looks at the numbers. His eyes widen.

DUCKIE

That's a lot.

DOG reads the pages.

DOG

They want control over your schedule.

Duckie keeps reading.

DOG

Your appearances.

Another page.

DOG

Your public image.

Duckie looks up.

DUCKIE

They're offering a lot of money.

DOG

I know.

DUCKIE

So what's the problem?

Dog turns a page.

DOG

This.

He points.

DOG

They want your story to be simple.

DUCKIE

What does that mean?

DOG

It means they want you to look like you got here by yourself.

Duckie laughs.

DUCKIE

That's ridiculous.

Dog looks at him.

DOG

Is it?

Silence. Capybara leans toward Turtle.

CAPYBARA

I don't like where this scene is going.

TURTLE

Me neither.

Duckie closes the contract.

DUCKIE

I'll think about it.

But he keeps looking at the number.

CUT TO:

INT. DUCKIE'S MANSION – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

A massive room. Trophies. Awards. Photographs. Everything Duckie ever dreamed of. Turtle enters carrying a flyer.

TURTLE

Charity event Saturday.

Duckie is on his phone.

DUCKIE

Can't.

TURTLE

You didn't even ask when.

DUCKIE

I have an appearance.

TURTLE

You always have another appearance.

DUCKIE

I have a career.

TURTLE

We know.

Duckie sighs.

DOG

He's right.

Duckie looks up.

DOG

You've missed everything lately.

DUCKIE

You guys don't understand what this is like.

DOG

Actually, we do.

DUCKIE

No, you don't.

DOG

We've been with you since before anybody knew your name.

Duckie stands.

DUCKIE

I'm the one playing.

Silence. Turtle's face falls. Dog looks hurt. Capybara stops smiling.

DOG

We built this together.

Duckie shakes his head.

DUCKIE

No.

A beat.

DUCKIE

I did.

The words land like a punch. Dog slowly picks up his bag.

DOG

Okay.

Turtle follows. Capybara stays in the doorway.

CAPYBARA

You know... there are some things even I can't scheme my way out of.

He leaves. Duckie stands alone.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. DUCKIE'S MANSION – LIVING ROOM – LATER

Silence. Duckie looks around. His trophies. His giant television. His expensive furniture. His phone BUZZES. MESSAGE AFTER MESSAGE. BRAND MANAGER. REPORTER. FAN. AGENT. Duckie answers none of them. He walks upstairs.

INT. DUCKIE'S OLD BEDROOM – NIGHT

A single photograph sits on a shelf. Four friends. Younger. Messier. Happier. Duckie picks it up.

FLASHBACK – EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – NIGHT

Dog holds the clipboard.

DOG

One more.

Duckie shoots. MISS.

DOG

Again.

Duckie shoots. MISS. Turtle steps forward wearing a ridiculous homemade coach's hat.

TURTLE

I have a professional opinion.

Duckie looks over.

TURTLE

You're bad.

Duckie laughs.

FLASHBACK – ANOTHER NIGHT

Capybara talks to the community center manager.

CAPYBARA

Come on. Just one extra hour.

MANAGER

Why?

Capybara points to Duckie practicing alone.

CAPYBARA

Because he's going somewhere.

BACK TO SCENE.

Duckie sits on the floor. He looks at the photo.

DUCKIE

What did I do?

His phone BUZZES again. He turns it face down. For the first time, the mansion feels empty.

CUT TO:

INT. DOG'S OFFICE – MORNING

Dog works at a desk. Duckie appears in the doorway.

DOG

What do you want?

DUCKIE

I messed up.

Dog doesn't look up.

DOG

Yes.

Duckie nods.

DUCKIE

I'm sorry.

Dog finally looks at him.

DOG

You don't need to apologize because you lost an argument.

DUCKIE

I'm apologizing because I forgot who I was.

That lands. Dog leans back.

DOG

Are you going to change?

DUCKIE

I don't know how yet.

DOG

Then start by showing up.

Duckie smiles faintly.

CUT TO:

INT. SMALL COMEDY CLUB – NIGHT

Turtle performs for a tiny audience.

TURTLE

So my best friend became a professional athlete.

Scattered laughter.

TURTLE

And now I can't get him to answer a text.

Duckie watches from the back. Turtle sees him. A beat.

TURTLE

Oh.

The audience turns.

TURTLE

Apparently tonight's show has a guest.

Duckie raises a hand.

DUCKIE

I'm sorry.

Turtle fights a smile.

TURTLE

You're still banned from heckling.

Duckie laughs.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT

Duckie walks through Rosie City looking for Capybara. He checks his phone.

DUCKIE

Where are you?

CAPYBARA (TEXT)

Somewhere.

Duckie sighs. A second text arrives.

CAPYBARA (TEXT)

Look behind you.

Duckie turns. Capybara sits at a sidewalk café.

CAPYBARA

You look terrible.

DUCKIE

Thanks.

CAPYBARA

You're welcome.

Duckie sits.

DUCKIE

I hurt them.

CAPYBARA

Yes.

DUCKIE

You're not going to make a joke?

CAPYBARA

I could.

A beat.

CAPYBARA

But you'd probably laugh, and then we'd never talk about it.

Duckie looks down.

DUCKIE

I thought success would make everything better.

CAPYBARA

Success makes things louder.

Duckie looks up.

CAPYBARA

It doesn't tell you what matters.

Duckie nods.

CAPYBARA

Come on.

DUCKIE

Where?

CAPYBARA

You know where.

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – NIGHT

The old lights flicker on. Dog and Turtle are already there. Duckie approaches. Nobody speaks. Finally, Turtle points.

TURTLE

You still owe me twelve dollars.

Duckie laughs.

DUCKIE

I thought you were over that.

TURTLE

I'm emotional, not forgetful.

They all smile. Duckie looks at them.

DUCKIE

I don't want to do this without you.

Dog answers.

DOG

Then don't.

CUT TO:

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – LATER

The four friends sit together beneath the old lights. Duckie holds a basketball.

DUCKIE

I thought becoming great meant doing it alone.

DOG

That's not greatness.

TURTLE

That's just being lonely with better shoes.

Capybara nods.

CAPYBARA

Very expensive shoes.

They laugh. Duckie stands. He walks to the free-throw line.

DUCKIE

One shot?

Dog picks up the clipboard.

DOG

One shot.

Duckie shoots. SWISH.

TURTLE

Still got it.

Duckie turns to his friends.

DUCKIE

You guys coming to the championship?

TURTLE

Obviously.

CAPYBARA

I have seats.

DOG

You don't have seats.

CAPYBARA

I have a guy with seats.

Everyone groans. They walk away together. For the first time in months, Duckie doesn't feel like a star. He just feels like Duckie.

CUT TO:

INT. CHAMPIONSHIP ARENA – NIGHT

The arena is packed. DUCKIE'S TEAM trails late. Duckie sits on the bench, ankle wrapped.

COACH

You good?

Duckie looks at the court.

DUCKIE

I'm good.

He stands.

INT. ARENA – COURT – LATER

The game is chaos. PASS. STEAL. FAST BREAK. Duckie drives. He scores. The crowd erupts. Final possession. The scoreboard shows the game tied. The ball goes to Duckie. The defender presses close.

SPORTS ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

This could be Duckie's moment!

Duckie looks toward the stands. He sees them. Dog. Turtle. Capybara. All wearing the same ridiculous shirts from his first tryout. Duckie smiles. The clock starts. TEN. Duckie dribbles. EIGHT. Cross left. SEVEN. Cross right. SIX. He drives. FOUR. He gets to the basket. Two defenders collapse. Duckie could shoot. Instead— He PASSES. A teammate catches. THREE. SHOOT. BUZZER. SWISH. The arena EXPLODES.

CUT TO:

INT. CHAMPIONSHIP ARENA – CONTINUOUS

Teammates swarm Duckie. He looks toward the stands. Dog is jumping. Turtle is screaming. Capybara is pretending not to cry. Duckie points at them. The cameras follow his finger.

SPORTS ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Look at that!

The giant screen shows Dog, Turtle and Capybara.

TURTLE

WE'RE ON TV!

DOG

Turtle, you're crying.

TURTLE

I'M NOT CRYING!

CAPYBARA

You're absolutely crying.

Back on Duckie. He smiles. He doesn't need to take the final shot to be the hero. He already knows what matters.

CUT TO:

INT. ARENA – PRESS AREA – LATER

REPORTERS surround Duckie.

REPORTER #1

What does this championship mean to you?

REPORTER #2

Who do you credit for your success?

REPORTER #3

What's next?

Duckie looks at the cameras. Then he looks past them. At his friends.

DUCKIE

For me?

The reporters lean closer. Duckie points.

DUCKIE

Those guys.

Dog smiles. Turtle starts crying again.

TURTLE

I'm not crying.

DOG

You are absolutely crying.

CAPYBARA

I'm allergic to emotional moments.

Laughter. Duckie laughs too.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROSIE CITY – NIGHT

A car cruises through downtown. No cameras. No reporters. No security. Just four friends.

INT. CAR – CONTINUOUS

Turtle looks out the window.

TURTLE

So...

Everyone waits.

TURTLE

Are we rich now?

Dog laughs.

DOG

Not nearly.

Capybara leans forward.

CAPYBARA

I know a guy.

Everyone GROANS. Duckie laughs harder than he has in months.

DOG

Please stop saying that.

CAPYBARA

I'm serious.

TURTLE

That's what scares me.

The city lights sweep across their faces. Duckie looks out the window. For a moment, he sees the old court in the distance. The place where it all began.

DUCKIE

Pull over.

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – NIGHT

The four friends step out. The court is empty. Duckie walks to the same spot where he practiced every day. He bounces the ball once. DUNK.

Turtle looks at him.

TURTLE

You going to practice?

Duckie smiles.

DUCKIE

Tomorrow.

They walk off together.

CUT TO:

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER COURT – EARLY MORNING

Sunrise. The court is empty. A basketball rolls slowly into frame. Duckie's voice echoes from memory.

DUCKIE (V.O.)

I don't just want to be good.

FLASHES: — Duckie at the old court. — Dog with his clipboard. — Turtle coaching badly. — Capybara keeping the lights on.

DUCKIE (V.O.)

I want to be great.

A final image of the four friends walking through Rosie City.

DUCKIE (V.O.)

But maybe being great isn't about doing everything yourself.

They disappear into the morning crowd.

DUCKIE (V.O.)

Maybe it's about becoming someone worth cheering for.

The city grows louder. BASKETBALL BOUNCES.

CUT TO BLACK.

TITLE CARD: DUCKIE: THE FOUR OF US

THE STORY IS ONLY BEGINNING.

FADE OUT.

The End — For Now