Felix the Flyer
© Christopher C. Canole
WGA reg. # 923193
Production Note: Balboa Park in San Diego, CA is an exact replica of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair portrayed in this script. And extensive Motion Picture Footage of the World's Fair and Olympic Games have been recovered and restored.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF HAVANA CUBA--SUMMER--1898
Sweat soaked Cuban and American khaki clad soldiers of the
24th Infantry wearily march up a steep dusty road alongside
war worn wagons filled with munitions and supplies.
The passing dust cloud clears to reveal a four foot tall 13
year-old wiry Cuban lad, FELIX, who looks like a modern day
David alongside the American military Goliaths on horseback
decked out in their dark blue uniforms of the Rough Riders.
Felix lugs a large leather mailbag that dwarfs his stature
even more. Exhausted, he flops his mailbag down and
collapses next to a mustached elderly Cuban peasant, YAYO.
Yayo's face, as dark and cracked as the dried mud beneath his
sandals, topped by an old blue beret that matches the color
of the Rough Rider's pants, seems as ancient and mysterious
as Cuba itself as he smokes his cigar stub.
FELIX
Ya no puedo mas.
Yayo smiles at Felix in a grandfatherly way.
YAYO
In English, Felix.
FELIX
I can no go...any...further.
Felix sighs and stands to plead his case in broken English.
FELIX
Yayo, I do…not...think...I built to
be mailman.
YAYO
You must learn to carry your load
with your heart. Not your mind.
Yayo picks up the mailbag and walks with Felix towards the
local post office just as a soldier is lowering the blood red
and gold Spanish flag.
FELIX
Why learn English?
The soldier raises the American "Stars and Stripes" over the
new army barracks as the troops pitch their white tents.
Yayo slowly explains the needs for Cuba's new future.
YAYO
Those of us who speak English will
get a head start when the Americans
liberate all of Cuba.
Yayo and Felix reach the post office just as an American boy
about Felix's age, dressed in a Rough Rider uniform, DABNEY,
dashes out the door and bumps into Felix. Dabney fumbles to
apologize in Spanish.
DABNEY
Ah...how do you say...pardoneme?
Felix flashes a friendly smile and winks to his grandfather.
FELIX
I'm...O...K. I speak English.
Dabney returns Felix's contagious smile, removes his fancy
leather fringed glove and offers his hand to his newfound
friend. Felix wipes his soiled tanned hand, shakes Dabney's
clean white hand and checks out the American boy's uniform.
FELIX
Are you Rough Rider?
DABNEY
I'm their Mascot.
Dabney clicks his heels and snaps a sharp salute to Felix.
DABNEY
Dabney Royster at your service.
FELIX
Felix Carvajal. And this is my
Yayo...ah...grandfather.
YAYO
Pleased to meet an American Mascot.
FELIX
How do you get to be Mascot?
DABNEY
When the Rough Riders rode through
my hometown, Memphis, I begged to
join them. But my parents and
everyone laughed at me saying I was
too scrawny to be a warrior. So I
ran away from home by hiding in one
of their wagons.
FELIX
What is Mascot?
DABNEY
Colonel Roosevelt calls me his
"Ambassador of Good Will."
FELIX
What does that mean?
DABNEY
Mostly, I run errands for the
Colonel.
Dabney opens a satchel much smaller than Felix's mailbag.
DABNEY
Like fetching his mail.
FELIX
Is Roosevelt in Havana?
DABNEY
Not till next week. Why?
FELIX
My father was Roosevelt's runner in
Battle of San Juan Hill. Maybe you
met him?
This time Felix's enthusiasm creates discomfort in Dabney.
DABNEY
I've only participated in war
games. I'm not allowed to join the
front line soldiers. Colonel
Roosevelt assigned me to prepare
his quarters here in Havana for
future battles.
Felix quickly picks up on his new friend's bruised ego.
FELIX
You need me to be your mascot. I
show you Havana.
Yayo recognizes Felix's boyish attempt to help Dabney as an
excuse to get out of his own duties.
YAYO
I'm sure Dabney has duties to
finish today. And we have our own
mail to deliver.
Can you meet us Sunday for
your...reconnaissance...of Havana?
DABNEY
Yes Sir!
EXT. PLAZA DE LA CATHEDRAL--SUNDAY
Felix and Yayo escort Dabney into the plaza where colorfully
dressed Cuban girls sell lottery tickets to the American
soldiers gathered to savor the exotic Cuban culture.
The trio enter the Cathedral and walk over to an ornate stone
relief sculpture of Christopher Columbus wearing his
conqueror's armor and a simple beret. A Spanish inscription
separates the Columbus relief bust and stone sarcophagus
below.
DABNEY
Who's that?
FELIX
Christopher Columbus.
DABNEY
But he was a famous explorer. Why
is he buried here?
YAYO
The inscription might give you the
answer. Felix, what does it say?
FELIX
What is man that thou art mindful
of him?
DABNEY
I don't understand.
YAYO
It is a bible Psalm. What does a
man do that we remember him?
FELIX
I want to do something to be
remembered all over Cuba. Maybe I
enlist to be a Rough Rider to fight
with Dabney.
YAYO
I'm sure they have enough young
soldiers. You can better serve
Cuba's liberation as a mailman.
FELIX
What can mailman do?
YAYO
Let me tell you about one of the
most famous battles of all time.
Yayo sits down below the Columbus coffin and taps the step
beside him for Felix and Dabney to join him. The boys
enthusiastically sit to listen to Yayo's war story.
YAYO
About 500 years before Christ the
great Persian army wanted to
explore and conquer a new world.
FELIX
Like Columbus sailing to Cuba for
the Spanish Empire?
YAYO
Yes. The Persians landed outside
the town of Athens on the plains of
Marathon to prepare their attack.
The Athenians were outnumbered and
needed the help of their
neighboring city Sparta.
DABNEY
Colonel Roosevelt says he trained
the Rough Riders to fight like
Spartans.
YAYO
Right again. The Athenians needed
to get a letter to the Spartans, so
they sent Phidippides...a mailman.
The reference perks both boys' interest.
YAYO
Phidippides ran to Sparta and back
to Athens over 140 mountainous
miles. The Spartans agreed to join
the fight after their religious
holidays. But the Athenians knew
that might be too late so they
launched a surprise suicidal attack
at Marathon.
DABNEY
Like the Rough Rider's attack on
San Juan Hill.
YAYO
By the end of the day 6400 Persian
bodies lay dead on the field while
only 192 Athenians died.
FELIX
What happened to the mailman?
YAYO
Phidippides was called into action
again to run to Athens and deliver
the message of victory and warn the
town the Persians might counter
attack by sea. He delivered the
message, "Rejoice we conquer," then
collapsed and died of exhaustion.
DABNEY
That's a great war story. But if
he was so famous how come I've
never heard of him?
YAYO
You will, from now on, every four
years. The world will celebrate
this mailman's heroics during the
Modern Olympic Games that began two
years ago in Paris. To honor this
heroic Greek mailman, runners from
all over the world compete in a 26
mile race called the "Marathon".
FELIX
But I want to do something heroic
now. I want to wear uniform like
Dabney's with medals and badges of
honor for all the world to see.
Yayo takes off his beret and offers it to Felix.
FELIX
What's this for?
YAYO
This is our family's "badge of
honor". It's been handed down
through generations of our family
since, well nobody remembers how
far back. Your father said to pass
it on to you when he was given his
Rough Rider hat.
Felix accepts the offer and tries it on. The beret flops
down covering Felix's small face. All three laugh at Felix
wearing the beret like a blue helmeted warrior. Yayo takes
off the beret, tightens the drawstring headband, and then
properly sets the beret to fit Felix.
A cavalry SERGEANT walks up and addresses Dabney.
SERGEANT
Colonel Roosevelt just arrived.
Dabney stands and salutes Felix. Felix mimics Dabney by
clicking his mailman street shoes and snapping a salute at
the creased fold of his beret.
FELIX
I will see you later.
SERGEANT
He'll be too busy, serving the
Colonel's needs during our war with
Spain, to play with local boys.
FELIX
And I will be too busy delivering
the Colonel's mail during our Cuban
war.
EXT. ROUGH RIDER CAMP--DAYS LATER
Felix proudly totes the heavy US Mailbag into camp as Dabney
unloads three boxes from a wagon. Felix hands the mail to
the Sergeant standing next to Dabney. Dabney opens the boxes
to release a golden eagle tethered at the leg, a female
mountain lion, and a cocker spaniel.
DABNEY
These are Colonel Roosevelt's
animal Mascots. I'm letting them
out for a little exercise. The
eagle's name is Teddy. The
mountain lion is Josephine and he
renamed his dog "Cuba".
Felix cautiously reaches his hand out to the spaniel.
SERGEANT
Would you like to help Dabney?
FELIX
Sure. What can I do?
The Sergeant unties the rope connected to Cuba's collar.
SERGEANT
Run!
Felix immediately realizes what is about to happen and runs.
SERGEANT
Sic'm Cuba!
Felix is able to keep just one step ahead of Cuba as he runs
through the narrow, colorfully painted streets of Havana.
Each time he drops mail in a box, the dog nips at his shoes.
An exhausted Felix arrives back at the camp with now carrying
a worn out spaniel in his mailbag. Dabney congratulates
Felix.
DABNEY
Hail victor! The mailboy who
conquered Cuba!
SERGEANT
Next time we'll see how you do with
Josephine on your heels.
Thus starts a montage of Felix changing from a mailman who
"walks" his mail route into a mail "runner."
EXT. POST OFFICE--NEXT MORNING
This time Felix proudly hefts his massive letter filled
leather mailbag, adjusts his beret, checks the laces of his
street shoes and runs down the hill. Felix stops to hand
letters and the new American newspaper to his grandfather who
sits with his fellow Cuban elders smoking their cigars while
playing dominos.
Continuing on his postal route, Felix runs along a dusty road
that splits the tall day-glo green sugar cane fields creating
a stroboscopic effect of Felix running in slow-motion or
faster than real motion according to the density of cane
stalks. Felix exits the fields as children of the plantation
slave workers playfully chase him.
EXT. POST OFFICE--MONTHS LATER
Felix's slightly larger and tougher looking hands unties
Yayo's knot on the beret to loosen the drawstring for his
growing head. He waits for Dabney to saddle up a Rough Rider
horse.
Today's race begins with Dabney pacing his friend past the
army barracks being evacuated and converted to an occupation
size force.
EXT. POST OFFICE--1901
A postal clerk tacks a yellow newspaper on a bulletin board.
Felix runs a finger along the page to translate the story
into English for the locals gathered around him.
FELIX
McKinley shot and killed by
anarchist at the Pan-American
Games. Theodore Roosevelt is the
President!
EXT. POST OFFICE--1902
Again Felix exits the post office, loosens the beret
headband, slings a much smaller mailbag over his shoulder and
leaves the post office just as the American red, white and
blue Stars and Stripes flag is being lowered and replaced by
the new Cuban red, white and blue single star flag. Felix
salutes the Cuban flag before running to the Havana harbor.
EXT. HAVANA HARBOR--LATER
Dabney hands Felix a piece of paper.
DABNEY
Here's my mailbox number in
Memphis.
FELIX
That is too far for me to deliver.
They laugh, shake hands, and salute each other good-bye.
EXT. POST OFFICE--1903
The postal clerk pins up today's newspaper with headlines
announcing the successful Wright Brother's flight.
An 18-year-old Felix lets out the beret drawstring to its
full circle opening. He jauntily places it atop his head to
add a few inches to his five-foot athletic body. He strokes
his budding mustache.
Felix takes a copy of the newspaper from the clerk, puts it
in his mailbag and easily slings it over his shoulder looking
like Michelangelo's David standing tall and ready to conquer
new giants. He WHISTLES.
A young cocker spaniel runs out from behind the post office
to join him as this montage of his youth ends; and Felix
begins the next leg of his race into marathon history.
EXT. YAYO'S HOUSE--LATER
Felix arrives as Yayo, wearing a traditional Cuban straw hat,
slams a domino tile down on the table in victory over PADRE,
Felix's father, wearing a Rough Rider campaign hat.
YAYO
Victoria!
PADRE
Suerta!
YAYO
Suerta? What do you say Felix? Is
you father right? Is it Suerta? Is
it luck in Dominos? Or my skill
that wins?
FELIX
Dominos are a game of chance to the
loser, and skill to the winner.
PADRE
Now my son is a philosopher?
Padre throws up his hands and walks into the house.
YAYO
What is the news today?
Felix pulls out the copy of the American paper from his
mailbag.
FELIX
President Roosevelt Announces The
Third Olympic Games Moved From
Chicago to St. Louis.
Sitting down, with his back against the wall Felix continues.
FELIX
The move to St. Louis for the 1904
Olympics will coincide with the
World's Fair to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the Louisiana
Purchase. Featuring twelve
classifications of "Man and His
Works" as well as the values of
American Imperialism manifested
recently in the liberation of Cuba
and the planned Panama Canal.
YAYO
Roosevelt sure can think big. What
does it say about the competition?
FELIX
Most events will be conducted by
the American Amateur Athletic
Union. Athletes from foreign
nations must provide their own
equipment, funding for housing, and
transportation to St. Louis.
Felix lowers the paper to reveal his wide-eyed interest.
FELIX
How much do you think it would cost
me to compete in the Marathon?
YAYO
More than a mailman makes in a
year.
FELIX
It is not fair. Phidippides was a
mailman and he did not need money
to run the Marathon. Maybe if I
buy Lottery tickets and pray to
Jesus.
YAYO
I want you to make me a promise.
You will only use your God given
skills to earn the money, and not
gamble.
FELIX
Like your skills with dominos?
YAYO
I'll give you what I win from the
American tourists.
Yayo's comment ignites in Felix an idea to earn money.
FELIX
While you, skillfully, take their
money with dominos, I can make
money running their errands.
YAYO
What about delivering mail?
FELIX
Papa can take his job back, so I
can quit, and train for Roosevelt's
Marathon. To show the world how
Cubans run on our own.
To deflect the chance Yayo might not readily agree, Felix
lifts the newspaper and reads the next article.
FELIX
Wright Brothers Fly!
Yayo puffs on his cigar to let Felix change the subject.
FELIX
Orville Wright successfully flew
852 feet in 59 seconds across the
sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
in an engine-powered flying machine
nicknamed, "The Flyer". His
brother Wilbur said future flight
could serve many purposes, like
transporting mail.
The second article re-ignites Felix's excitement to raise
money for his Olympic dream. He stands and acts out his plan
by bowing to his grandfather.
FELIX
Welcome to Cuba Senor. Felix...the
Flyer...at your service.
EXT. PLAZA DE LA CATHEDRAL--DAYS LATER
Felix runs through the crowded festive courtyard filled with
American tourists. He stops at a table of ten drunken
college fraternity brothers sporting their Yale sweaters, and
delivers several bottles of Cuban rum.
One Frat member hands Felix a few coins for the errand.
Felix takes off his beret, adds the FRAT coins to the other
mix of pesos and pennies, replaces the beret, and salutes.
FELIX
Thank you for donating to the Cuban
Olympic Running Team.
FRAT
How many are coming to challenge
us?
FELIX
It took only one man to run the
first Marathon.
FRAT
Let me guess, your Cuba's one-man
team?
FELIX
At your service.
FRAT
Are you a gambler?
Felix looks over at his grandfather sitting nearby defeating
another American tourist in dominos.
FELIX
Only in games of skill.
FRAT
How bout playing "Double or
Nothing"?
FELIX
I do not know that one.
FRAT
It's easy, I'll "double" the number
of coins you just put in your
beret, if you can run around this
courtyard in one minute without
spilling a single cent.
Felix takes off his beret to see dozens of coins inside.
FELIX
What is the "nothing"?
FRAT
If one coin falls, I get back what
I paid you for our rum run.
Felix bounces the coins in the beret.
FELIX
Why not wager for all the coins in
my beret? Double or nothing?
The Frat smiles at Felix's bravura and reaches into his
pocket.
FRAT
I'll do better than that; I'll add
all the coins in my pocket.
Felix looks at the added coinage and sees a golden
opportunity.
FELIX
Is that all you got?
The tables quickly turn on Felix as the other fraternity
brothers quickly turn out their pockets and fill the beret.
Felix stares at the beret that seems to have little room left
for his head. He shifts the coins around, bends over, dips
his head into the coins, makes sure the drawstring is secure,
and slowly stands up looking like a human mushroom with his
oversized cap.
The fraternity brothers burst out laughing. The Frat brother
pulls out a pocket watch and holds it up for all to see.
FRAT
Runner ready?
Felix presses the top of his beret, forcing the coins to
settle below the drawstring into a circular pouch.
FELIX
Ready!
FRAT
Go!
As if glued down by the weight of the coins Felix takes a few
cautious steps. The coins JINGLE, but settle well into the
beret fold below the drawstring. Felix shakes his head just
to be sure, and the JINGLE of the coins acts like a starting
gun sending him on his run.
The jingling coins sound out the rhythm of Felix's strides,
and are echoed by the Cubans and tourists clapping in unison
to cheer Felix.
Around each corner, Felix's leather street shoes slip and
slide, shifting the coin's weight, throwing him off balance.
Felix makes the final turn of his dash for dollars. A single
peso appears at the edge of the drawstring above his right
eyebrow, slipping further out with each stride. Just as
Felix reaches the table the peso hangs precariously close to
falling out. Felix glances up at the peso, held in place by
a few hairs of his furrowed eyebrow.
The Frat brother reaches up to retrieve the peso, hands it to
Felix, then slyly smiles.
FRAT
I hope your Luck holds out in the
real race.
The Frat flips the peso into the air.
EXT. PLAZA DE LA CATHEDRAL--LATER
The coin tumbles and falls onto a table between Felix and
Yayo as they scoop up their winnings from defeating a local
plantation Owner entertaining his Southern GENTLEMAN client
in side-by-side games of Dominos. Behind the gentlemen a
Southern Belle, LILAH, dressed all in white lace, lowers her
delicate fan to deliver a coquettish smile at Felix. Felix
stands and bows to today's contributors to his Olympic fund.
FELIX
Thank you gentlemen. And Lady. It
is time for today's races. If you
want to recover your losses, my
grandfather will be glad to handle
any wager against me.
Lilah opens her coin purse and hands Yayo an American five
dollar bill.
LILAH
I'll wager on the Cuban boy.
GENTLEMAN
But the race has not been set.
LILAH
I know a winner when I see one.
Yayo accepts the money and writes out a betting slip.
YAYO
Who is my grandson's lady in
wagering?
LILAH
Miss Lilah, from New Orleans.
Felix takes the betting slip and puts it under his beret.
FELIX
For luck!
Staring at Lilah, Felix starts to leave and accidentally
bumps into an almost seven-foot-tall massively built black
man who is helping the Plantation Owner to his feet. The
gentle giant steadies Felix with a friendly hand and smile.
Felix runs to the center of the courtyard and stands on a
soapbox under a banner reading "Felix the Flyer". He picks up
a battered Rough Rider bugle and BLARES a sour note.
FELIX
Come one, come all, here my call.
Who thinks he can defeat Cuba's
Olympic runner? You choose the
race. I set the pace.
From out of the crowd the Fraternity brothers step up and
stand almost eye-to-eye with Felix on his soapbox. Now
sober, dressed in short shirts and pants to reveal their
athletic bodies, they've returned for revenge over losing to
the clever Cuban.
FRAT
How bout a Three-Legged-Race?
Felix lifts and shakes his left, then his right legs.
FELIX
Welcome back Amigos. Sorry, I only
have two legs to race.
The Frat holds up a two-foot length of rope for all to see.
Then he bends down and ties his right ankle to his frat
brother's left ankle. The two Frats then slowly run around
Felix's soapbox to demonstrate the three-legged-race to the
howls and laughter of the Cuban and American crowd.
FELIX
You Americans can think up strange
ways to race. I accept. But who
will be my partner?
From the domino table, the plantation OWNER who lost at
dominos shouts to be heard.
OWNER
Goliath!
The crowd chants the former slave's name as Goliath steps up
to become Felix's running partner. The Frat brothers smirk at
the obvious miss-match sizing of their opponents. The Frat
hands Felix a rope.
Felix jumps off the soapbox and pulls up his pant leg to
expose his skinny sapling of a leg. He reaches over and
lifts Goliath's tattered pants and stares at the tree-stump
like gnarled leg scarred from years of wearing slave ankle
shackles. GOLIATH notices Felix's hesitation to wrap a new
binding around the scarred ankle.
GOLIATH
Go ahead Felix. I can not feel it
anymore.
Felix ties their legs and stands up to Goliath's mid-waist.
FRAT
Once around the courtyard?
The Frat brothers sequentially stride over to the front of
the cathedral, turn and wait for Felix and Goliath's clumsy
and comical practice run to the starting line. The
plantation Owner escorts Lilah over to act as official
starter. She lifts a white lace handkerchief and blows a
kiss at Felix. Lilah releases her handkerchief.
Like a symbol of the new American industrial power, the Frat
brothers bolt forward in clockwork like running rhythm.
Goliath's first stride throws Felix to the ground. Felix
looks up to watch the handkerchief fall to the ground like a
white flag of defeat. Goliath grabs Felix by the collar and
lifts him back to their starting position. They try again.
Already the Frat brothers are half way around the courtyard.
Goliath excitedly tries to catch-up dragging Felix along like
a rag doll tied to his shoes. Felix and Goliath fall again.
Felix tumbles across Goliath's path bringing the mighty giant
down on top of him.
The crowd GASPS. The Frat brothers cross the finish in front
of the cathedral, run over, and push through the crowd to see
if Felix is seriously injured.
Goliath rolls off the bruised and bloodied unconscious Felix.
Yayo kneels down and pours a glass of rum on Felix's
forehead. Felix blinks, looks up at the Frat brothers,
smiles and asks.
FELIX
Double or Nothing?
The Frat shakes his head at his courageous opponent.
FRAT
You're delirious. Don't you see
you can't win a race made to favor
us?
FELIX
I just needed a little training. I
am ready to race you now.
Felix struggles to stand up next to Goliath's fallen frame to
show he means business. The crowd moves back to let Goliath
stand taller next to his friend.
GOLIATH
Grab my belt, I'll carry you.
Like a child grasping his father's leg, Felix lets Goliath
slowly limp back to the front of the cathedral.
Everyone gathers around for the rematch.
Felix brushes off the dirt from his bloodied and tattered
clothing, adjusts his beret, and then pulls on Goliath's arm
to get his attention. Goliath leans over to listen to Felix
whispering in his ear. Felix checks the knot on the blood
stained ropes around their ankles then turns to the Frat.
FELIX
Let me get the rules straight.
Anything goes as long as my left
and his right ankle are tied
together?
FRAT
That's right.
Felix bends over and removes the laces from the shoe below
the rope tied to Goliath. He swivels around back-to-back
with Goliath and laces their other feet together. Then Felix
reaches up to grab onto the back of Goliath's belt, to face
backwards like a pair of chaps worn backwards. Felix squirms
his head to look under his armpit and sees Lilah raise her
handkerchief for the rematch.
LILAH
Runners ready?
Lilah starts the race. Again the Frat brothers leap into
action shouting out their race pace.
FRATS
One-two...one-two.
Cautiously Goliath strides forward with Felix hanging on.
FELIX
Run as fast as you can Goliath. I
want to see their faces.
Goliath responds to his friend's coaxing and runs full
throttle like a slave escaping his master's hounds.
Halfway around the courtyard the Frat brothers cannot fend
off Goliath's charge. Riding backwards on his mighty steed,
Felix smiles and lets go with one arm to wave like a bareback
bronco rider in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Circus.
Felix and Goliath cross the line to the cheering crowd.
CROWD
Felix...Goliath...Felix...Goliath!
As Lilah walks up to the victors, Felix uses his free arm to
take off his beret and offer her the betting slip.
LILAH
I'll collect later.
EXT. HAVANA HARBOR--DAYS LATER
Yayo and Felix sit on two makeshift soapbox chairs playing a
final game of dominos near the gangplank leading to a
schooner being loaded for the trip to New Orleans. Yayo
scrambles the face down white-ivory tiles on another
overturned soapbox. A guitarist and conga drummer playing
spicy Cuban music heat up the sweltering dockside.
YAYO
When you get to the Olympics see
the Marathon like a game of
Dominos.
Felix reaches for his tiles exposing the scabbed over scars
from his three-legged race tumble. Yayo selects his tiles.
YAYO
The first draw, when everything is
still unknown, does not determine
the outcome down the road.
Felix quickly lays down a six-six double tile.
YAYO
Don't be too eager to show your
best moves early. Remember, it
tips off your opponent to your
strengths.
Yayo and Felix lay out the tiles like a dance of dominos.
YAYO
The game can be a tug-o-war. Or
you can feel the changing rhythms
along the way and dance around your
opponents.
Felix smiles and lays down a tile, forcing Yayo to select
several tiles before he can make his next move.
YAYO
The one who seems to be in the
early lead can be struck down later
with just one false move.
Yayo plays his tile, forcing Felix to select several himself.
YAYO
Keep one eye on your goal, and one
on your opponent. Remember your
moves are dependent on his moves.
As Felix places his next tile, a bystander GRUNTS and shakes
his head to signal his opinion.
YAYO
Don't just focus on yourself and
the game. Let yourself enjoy the
companionship of your opponent, and
those standing around watching you.
Yayo places a tile on the end of a row creating a new branch.
YAYO
Be ready to take a tougher path
leading to the end. But watch out
for the easy course that may lead
to a dead end.
Felix avoids the new branch of tiles and makes his own
branch.
YAYO
That's it. Be willing to sacrifice
your present position to gain the
advantage later.
Yayo reaches to play, accidentally knocking over one of his
tiles, exposing what he is holding. Then he blows cigar
smoke in Felix's face causing him to cough.
YAYO
Don't always assume accidents are
accidents. I may be just
distracting you to cheat the odds.
Felix plays on Yayo's tile and holds his next tile in hand
waiting for his grandfather to play the tile he tipped over.
But Yayo makes a different move.
YAYO
Expect the unexpected!
Felix's face reacts with frustration over the impending
defeat.
YAYO
If you think you're going to lose
this one game, be a gentleman, and
finish with pride.
As Felix ponders his next move, Yayo looks over his
grandson's shoulder to see Lilah approaching wearing a white
silk with black polka-dot dress with matching parasol. A
porter rolls a cart filled with her luggage.
YAYO
Beware of Lady Luck. You never
know when she'll suddenly turn
against you.
The shadow of Lilah's parasol covers the domino game as she
taps Felix on the shoulder.
LILAH
I hope you'll play with me during
our trip to New Orleans.
Felix looks up from the Domino board to acknowledge her, but
is blinded by the glare of the sun peeking under the parasol.
FELIX
It will be my pleasure.
Felix stands and hugs Yayo. He shoulders his old leather
mailbag now used to carry his few items of clothing.
FELIX
I will run for the pride of all
Cubans.
YAYO
It is enough, to run for one Cuban.
Lilah takes Felix's arm and proudly walks alongside him
through the large crowd of Cubans cheering their one-man
team.
Yayo flips over the played tiles and scrambles the white
backed pieces into a new chaotic mix.
EXT. UPPER DECK OF THE NEW ORLEANS SCHOONER SHIP
Felix's hand scrambles a new game of dominos with Lilah, who
seems barely able to maintain her Southern Belle charm
suffering the hot Gulf winds and the common folk milling
around on deck. A STEWARD walks up to them.
STEWARD
A storm is brewing Miss. You should
consider retiring to your cabin.
Lilah prepares to leave, addressing the Steward.
LILAH
Thank you. My...companion...and I
will be more comfortable continuing
our game in private.
The Steward gives Felix the once over with disdain, but Felix
pays no attention as he gathers up the dominos.
EXT. LILAH'S FIRST CLASS CABIN
Lilah turns around in the middle of her well-appointed
quarters and beckons a bemused Felix standing at the
threshold staring like a kid in a candy shop.
LILAH
Come in. One should always travel
"First Class" don't you think?
FELIX
Well, I...Ah...
LILAH
Are you traveling "First Class" on
that long train trip to St. Louis?
FELIX
I have only enough money for...
LILAH
Oh, you simply must. Once we dock
I'll have my brother give you a
chance to upgrade your ticket.
Felix acknowledges her offer with a simple bow and cautiously
enters carrying his mailbag and small sack of dominos.
LILAH
In the South, a gentleman removes
his hat when entering a lady's
private chambers.
Felix drops the mailbag but does not reach for his beret.
FELIX
I have to learn your American
customs. But if you do not mind I
rather keep it on.
Lilah tries another tactic to entice Felix into her domain.
She removes her own lacy hat and fans herself with it.
LILAH
It's awfully hot. I hardly slept a
wink last night, even with nothing
on.
FELIX
I love the heat.
Lilah walks over to a wardrobe screen backlit by a portal.
LILAH
Suit yourself. Why don't you set
up the board while I slip into
something more comfortable.
Felix sits at a drawing room table and sorts out the dominos
while sneaking a peak at Lilah's silhouetted strip tease.
Lilah seductively saunters across the cabin in an all black
see-through negligee flowing over her black corset trimmed
with red laces. She bends over as she sits to display her
ample cleavage.
LILAH
Ready to play?
Felix holds out two fists for her to choose which has the
starting tile. Lilah touches her rosy red lips with her
fingernail then strokes the closed fingers of his right hand
as her choice. Felix opens to reveal the one-one double
tile.
LILAH
One-on-one. Seems my luck is
changing.
They both draw seven tiles from the pile and begin playing.
As the game develops Lilah always tries to play immediately
on Felix's last move.
At one point she lays the one-one double across a two-one
tile. Before removing her finger she strokes the black line
centered between the two black dots. Felix counters by
slamming down a one-six tile at the intersection of spread
one-one.
LILAH
Do you always force a big number to
outscore a one-on-one?
FELIX
It's just my nature.
LILAH
A gentleman should let a lady win
once in a while.
FELIX
Sorry. I guess I am just lucky.
Felix's next move forces Lilah to select the remaining tiles.
She reaches for the stack, but instead of picking a tile, she
rests her hand on the back of Felix's scarred hand.
LILAH
You're too good for me.
Unsure what she means, Felix nervously stares into her eyes
as a bead of sweat rolls down from the brim of his beret.
LILAH
Let's change the game to one I'm
more familiar with.
She lifts her hand off his and reaches for a tiny pouch sewn
on her corset between her breasts.
LILAH
Dominos have too many pieces and it
takes too long to play.
She slowly unties the pouch string.
LILAH
I like games where you can hold
your fate in one hand.
Lilah delicately produces a pair of white ivory dice.
LILAH
Scoring in dice is much quicker
and...
She tosses the dice through the dominos on the table. The
dice stop in front of Felix, snake-eyes.
LILAH
More exciting.
Felix picks up the dice and deftly manipulates them on the
tip of his fingers.
LILAH
You could be a natural. Dice have
the same numbers as dominos.
Lilah spreads the dominos to clear a path between her and
Felix.
LILAH
Come on. Give me a roll.
Felix tosses the dice, six and one.
LILAH
Seven! I was right. You won on
your first roll.
They toss the dice back and forth across the table. As they
play Lilah fidgets with the red laces of her black corset,
and Felix unconsciously stacks the dominos in a line like he
did as a child pretending they were white soldiers standing
in formation.
Lilah rolls the dice against Felix's line of dominos knocking
the first in line into the next one starting a chain-reaction
of falling tiles, CLICKING away as they speed towards Felix.
But a gap in Felix's stacking stops the momentum before
reaching him. The CLICKING stops just as a KNOCK on the
cabin door interrupts the next move.
STEWARD
Land Ho!
Lilah retrieves her dice.
LILAH
I guess we'll have to continue this
in New Orleans.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS HARBOR
Walking arm-in-arm with Felix down the plank, Lilah waves to
someone in the crowd waiting for disembarking passengers.
LILAH
There's my brother.
She pulls Felix through the crowd, releases him and embraces
her brother. They whisper to each other briefly before she
conducts the introductions.
LILAH
Brother Brutus, allow me to
introduce you to Felix Carvajal the
Cuban who is seeking to strike
Olympic gold.
Felix offers a friendly hand.
BRUTUS shakes Felix's hand and pats his shoulder.
BRUTUS
Lilah says you need my help in
making your journey a little
easier, so you can arrive refreshed
and in style at the Olympics.
FELIX
I appreciate any donations.
BRUTUS
I'm not a rich man myself. But
Lilah assures me you've got a
natural talent for rolling the
dice.
Felix glances at Lilah. She nods back to encourage him.
BRUTUS
I'm willing to take the risk on her
word. I can get us into a high
roller game to help you reach your
goals.
Lilah winks and smiles at Felix and her brother.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS--STORYVILLE--BACK ALLEY--LATER
Lilah's eyes flare with excitement. She cheers.
LILAH
Eight straight passes!
Felix and Brutus scoop up their winnings scattered next to
the dice showing "seven". A half-circle of finely dressed
gamblers kneeling and facing a dimly lit wall grumble over
their losses. Brutus pours jiggers of Bourbon for himself
and Felix. The two winners CLINK glasses and down the
liquor. A GAMBLER picks up the dice and inspects them.
GAMBLER
Are these dice loaded?
Standing above the gamblers Lilah reaches out with her right
hand and snatches the dice.
LILAH
I assure you sir, only our Cuban
friend here is loaded.
A drunken Felix HICCUPS and lifts his beret to add his
winnings to the funds he raised in Cuba.
FELIX
This is enough for my ticket.
BRUTUS
You're my good luck charm. You
can't leave now!
FELIX
But I have to catch my "First
Class" train to St. Louis.
BRUTUS
What about when you get there?
After a long comfortable journey
you'll need to stay in the best
hotel.
FELIX
I never stayed in a hotel.
BRUTUS
Top hotels are very expensive, what
with room, board and tips. And an
occasional night out at the World's
Fair with a fine Southern lady.
LILAH
That sounds delightful.
BRUTUS
Let's see how far your winning
streak will take you?
Lilah leans down to kiss Felix and slyly hands a new pair of
dice from her left hand.
As Felix stares at the dice, Brutus looks around with a
conspiratorial smile to the other gamblers.
Felix pulls a few bills from his beret, lays them on the
ground to bet. The gamblers place their bets. Felix rolls.
GAMBLER
Snake eyes. Too bad.
Lilah taps Felix's shoulder.
LILAH
Remember how you beat those college
boys?
Felix picks up the dice, pulls out twice as many bills from
his beret, and takes a drink of bourbon.
FELIX
Double or nothing?
BRUTUS
We call it "Doubling-up". Good plan
Felix. You're a true gambler.
Felix loses again. Doubles up his bet, and loses again. The
game continues until Felix finally has to remove his beret to
retrieve what he has left.
But all he sees is his return boat ticket and Lilah's betting
voucher from their first meeting.
Brutus puts his arm around Felix's shoulder.
BRUTUS
Lilah will forget your debt to her.
You can tear-up that stub, now that
you're flat broke.
Felix lifts the stub and tries to focus on what has happened.
Brutus hands a few bills to pay off his fellow hustlers.
BRUTUS
Thanks for helping us show Felix
what he's up against trying to beat
us at our own games.
The gamblers snicker as they leave. Brutus stands and kisses
Lilah, not like a brother. They walk away into the darkness
leaving Felix to sober up to reality.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS HARBOR TICKET OFFICE
Depressed and hung-over, Felix takes off his beret, lays it
on the counter, removes his ticket and slides it across to a
ticket TELLER. The teller examines the ticket.
TELLER
You just arrived yesterday. Now
you want to go home?
FELIX
No. I want to trade my boat ticket
in for a train ticket to St. Louis.
TELLER
This ticket is almost worthless.
"Deck Class" is only for
immigrants, servants and, well, you
know.
FELIX
No, I have a problem understanding
your American customs.
TELLER
People of your...color.
Felix begins to see a new problem on his path to the
Olympics. His good nature keeps him from reacting to the
teller's insult.
FELIX
How far will it get me?
TELLER
Baton Rouge. That leaves you about
a thousand miles short of St.
Louis.
FELIX
Can I get my money back?
TELLER
All I can give you is a partial
refund. Wouldn't you rather go
home?
FELIX
I can not go back to Cuba empty
handed.
The teller takes Felix's boat ticket and deals out five
single dollar bills.
Felix looks into his beret, removes Lilah's "five-dollar"
betting voucher and rips it into tiny pieces.
FELIX
We are even now.
He places the five singles inside the beret, puts it on his
head, looks down at his old mailman shoes, and asks the
teller.
FELIX
Can you tell me where I can buy a
new pair of shoes?
TELLER
You're not thinking of walking all
the way to St. Louis?
FELIX
I don't have that much time. I'll
have to run most of it.
INT. NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER--"SOLE OF THE SOUTH" SHOE
STORE
Felix drops his mailbag next to an open chair and sits. A
Black shoe salesman, MANDO, walks up and sits on the shoe
fitting stool facing Felix.
MANDO
Welcome to Sole of the South. I'm
Mando. May I help you?
FELIX
I want the toughest shoes you sell.
MANDO
It'll help if I know what you'll be
using them for.
FELIX
I am a Cuban mailman who is...
Mando interrupts Felix's explanation of his need.
MANDO
Ah, a noble profession. I think
I've just what you need. Please
put your foot on the stool.
Felix slips off his worn out shoe and puts it on the inclined
stool so Mando can measure him. Mando is surprised by the
largeness of feet for such a small man.
MANDO
You must still be growing.
Mando goes into the stockroom as Felix looks around at the
all Black customers, a few wearing berets. His smiles and
nods are returned. Mando returns with a box. He pulls out a
pair for Felix to try. The fancy shoes impress Felix.
FELIX
What are these?
MANDO
Wingtips.
FELIX
I like the mane.
MANDO
These can carry you around the
world.
FELIX
I am only going to St. Louis.
MANDO
Are you joining the "Migration"?
FELIX
Migration? No. The Marathon. What
migration?
MANDO
Lots of my people are migrating
from the South to the North.
FELIX
Why North?
MANDO
Let's just say some don't like the
man's "Southern hospitality."
FELIX
I know what you mean. A Southern
lady already taught me a lesson in
hospitality.
MANDO
Don't judge all Southerners by a
few bad souls.
Mando slips the second Wingtip shoe on Felix and gestures for
him to stand and try them out by walking around the store.
Felix obeys, and then sits across from Mando.
FELIX
All I have is...
Felix pulls out the five single dollars. Mando takes one.
MANDO
This is your lucky day. Wingtips
are on sale to Cuban mailmen.
This time Felix interrupts to correct Mando's mistake.
FELIX
Cuban runner.
MANDO
What are you running from?
FELIX
I'm running to...ah...in, the
Olympic Games Marathon.
MANDO
I thought the Olympics were only
for White folks.
Don't you mean the World's Fair
"Aboriginal Games"?
FELIX
I only know about the Olympics.
Mando leans forward and changes to a serious mood.
MANDO
Mind some friendly advice?
FELIX
Sure. I'm not yet used to your
ways.
MANDO
A man of your "color" should stay
off the main roads. You'll be
safer on the banks of the
Mississippi.
Felix packs his old shoes in his mailbag.
MANDO
And you're more likely to catch an
occasional wagon ride from a Black
family headin' North.
Felix turns one shoe sideways to inspect the bottom.
MANDO
You'll need a thick and hearty sole
for such a long journey.
EXT. ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL SQUARE--NEW ORLEANS--SUNDAY
The layout of the square is very similar to the European
style of the Plaza de la Cathedral in Havana Cuba.
As an all Negro Olympia Brass band takes a break, a solo
guitarist plays a Dixieland jazz tune accompanied by the 9
year-old trumpeter Joseph Oliver, who later became Louis
Armstrong's teacher. Mando's sons, Jhase and Gaelan, compete
with each other in a tap dance duel.
Sitting on the steps of the cathedral other Black children
listen to Felix read from the "Tales of Brer Rabbit" using a
different voice for each character.
FELIX-TURTLE
Brer Turtle then says, "I hope you
feet as fast as you mouth."
As Felix reads he takes off his beret for the Brer Rabbit
part.
FELIX-RABBIT
You so slow I could plant sugar
cane at da start of a race. Den
harvest it before you finish dat
race.
Felix puts his beret back his head pulled down to his ears.
FELIX-TURTLE
I'll race ya da seven miles to town
through da forest.
FELIX-RABBIT
I ain't no fool. Brer Dog would
chase me and eat me sure.
FELIX-TURTLE
Fine, you can use da road. And me
da woods.
FELIX-RABBIT
You got yourself a race.
Mando and his wife, Kala, join the children to listen and
watch Felix's flamboyant reading of the classical African
tale. Exhausted from their tap dancing dual, Jhase and
Gaelan walk across the courtyard to sit with their parents.
FELIX
Brer Rabbit trained and trained,
day and night for da big race. But
funny thing bout Turtles. Most
folks say all of Turtle's family
members look just alike.
MANDO
We've herd that one a lot.
FELIX
So on the day of the race, da
Turtle family got up in da dark and
scattered themselves all along da
race course just inside da edge of
da forest out of sight from all da
other animals. Da race began with
da youngest Turtle family kid on da
startin' line wit Brer Rabbit. At
da first mile pole da road Brer
Rabbit stops to shout back at Brer
Turtle.
Felix stands, takes off his beret and mimes Brer Rabbit
running.
FELIX-RABBIT
Where you at Brer Turtle?
Felix puts on the beret with a different tilt to indicate a
new Turtle family member.
FELIX-TURTLE
Right with you Brer Rabbit.
Putting on his beret Felix redoubles his running in place as
Brer Rabbit, stopping again and bending over to rest.
FELIX-RABBIT
Where you at now Brer Turtle?
Felix puts his beret low on his face and peeks out from the
brim.
FELIX-TURTLE
Right here Brer Rabbit.
As Brer Rabbit again, Felix points ahead.
FELIX-RABBIT
There be Brer Bear just a hundred
yards up ahead, at da finish line,
ready to call me da winner.
Felix runs a few yards away and tucks behind a tree. He puts
on his beret and emerges as Brer Turtle with arms spread wide
crossing the imaginary finishing line.
FELIX-TURTLE
Let me catch my breath Brer Rabbit
and I'll shake your hand when you
get here.
SEAN protests the results.
SEAN
But he didn't really run the race!
Everyone cheers and applauds Felix's performance. Jhase
pleads.
JHASE
Read another story Felix.
Mando puts his arm around his son's shoulder.
MANDO
Felix has to leave for his own
race.
Mando reaches into his picket to pull out a few dollars and
offer them to Felix.
MANDO
Let me loan you the money for a
riverboat ride up the Mississippi.
Felix pushes away Mando's offering with a shy smile.
FELIX
Thank you, and your family for
helping me get ready. But I can't
take your money. I must do penance
for breaking my promise to my
grandfather. I foolishly gambled
and lost what I brought from Cuba.
KALA makes her own offer to help.
KALA
Here's some sugar sandwiches and
hoecakes to tide you till you reach
the first "safe house".
Mando's other son, Sean, adds his support.
SEAN
Remember, when you come to a statue
of the black jockey "Jocko" with
his arm pointing to a plantation
house tied with a green ribbon you
can stay the night.
FELIX
And a red ribbon signals danger.
Sean smiles at his Cuban student of the Underground Railroad.
MANDO
Jhase and Gaelan will lead you out
of New Orleans.
Jhase taps a fancy running rhythm.
JHASE
You should let Papa put taps on
your shoes. Then you could dance
all the way to St. Louis.
Felix polishes each wingtip shoe on the back of a pant leg.
FELIX
These are heavy enough already.
He clicks his heels together like Dabney did in Cuba.
FELIX
I will enjoy running up the
backbone of your beautiful country
two-feet at a time.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF NEW ORLEANS
A guitar player sits at the crossroads finishing a Dixieland
tune and switching to a new Jazz lick. Felix waves good-by,
then runs North, as Sean and Gaelan tap South.
As Felix runs from New Orleans to Memphis a music marathon
flows from the strings of a solo guitar tracing the rhythms
of Felix's pacing with the tunes of Dixieland, Jazz, Blues,
and Ragtime. Running upright on the banks along the river
Felix seems taller in stature compared to the sharecroppers
bent over to pick cotton.
Felix runs against the flow of the Mississippi on a journey
through the turn of the century South. He pauses once in a
while to gaze into the river's whirlpools and swift current
that no man could swim against for very long.
One of the new fangled inventions, a belching and sputtering
automobile, passes Felix, shrouding him in the dust of its
exhaust fumes as it motors by.
Felix kneels down on the riverbank next a fallen cypress that
creates a sheltering calm pool from the eddies and whorls of
a river that never rests. He takes off his long sleeve shirt
and plunges his arm into the mighty waters that caress his
Cuban skin in it's chocolate brown as if the river's flow and
his own blood's flow blend into one determined moving force
of nature.
He catches a ride in the back of a Negro sharecropper's
wagon. Looking backwards down the road Felix sees the sugar
cane and cotton "white gold" fields that create the massive
fortunes of the plantation owner's mansions contrasted
against the weather worn shacks of poverty stricken black and
white sharecroppers with Jocko statues pointing more often at
the shacks of the blacks.
Back on foot in Baton Rouge, Felix watches two guitar players
"cutting heads" standing on their soap boxes challenging each
other to guitar duels. At the edge of town Felix enters a
peach orchard for a free meal, but is chased out by a pair of
bloodhounds and a white sharecropper wielding a shotgun.
Felix continues his run-walk, sometimes with an express of
enthusiasm, and sometimes with the worn out look of
desperation. He runs backwards playfully coaxing local
barefoot kids to try and keep up with this Pied Piper of
running.
He tries to catch a freight train, misses the sliding door
handle, falls and narrowly escapes being sucked under the
gigantic grinding wheels. Standing beside the tracks he
dusts himself off and shoos away the disappearing caboose
with both hands, determined never to try and catch a free
ride on the White man's technology again.
As the guitar solo changes, and a close-up of Felix's wingtip
shoe strides keep rhythm, a map of the Mississippi River
superimposes onto the background, tracing the progress of his
run.
On the outskirts of Vicksburg Felix stops on a knoll that
overlooks the thousands upon thousands of white crosses
marking the graves of those who died in one of the Civil
War's bloodiest battles. Felix takes off his beret to pray.
Felix cautiously enters Vicksburg, not having passed a Jocko
lately. He stands in front of Morris Michton's dry goods
store as Morris restocks the window display with his new
"Teddy Bears". Felix smiles at the reminder of his boyhood
hero.
At dusk Felix exits Vicksburg and walks up to a Jocko with a
red ribbon tied to its arm. He looks across an expansive
manicured lawn at three tall white crosses standing in front
of a beautiful old Southern Plantation mansion, and catches
the rays of the setting sun from across the muddy
Mississippi. Then suddenly the crosses blaze brighter to the
torches of the KKK attacking an Underground Railroad
sympathizer's house.
Felix turns and runs as fast as he can into the safety of the
night as the guitar solo changes into a mournful Gospel and
Blues tune lamenting the dead Black runners and their White
sympathizers.
At daybreak Felix runs from out of the forest and continues
his journey along the Mississippi. He passes a tent city of
levee builders that looks like the Rough Rider camp where he
delivered mail.
But this time, instead of the spit and polish of the military
camp, all he sees is the fatigue and famine of underpaid and
overworked former slaves, Civil War veterans and their
families.
Beyond the tent city Felix sees the mighty city of Memphis.
He hefts his mailbag and quickens his stride, eager to find
an old friend.
EXT. BEALE STREET BACK ALLEY OF PEEWEE'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Felix stands next to an outdoor dishwashing tub at the bottom
of steps leading up to the back door of the restaurant. At
the top of the stairs the stocky owner of the daytime
restaurant and nighttime juke joint, PEE WEE, yells inside.
PEE WEE
Hey war hero! There's someone here
to see you.
Dabney comes to the back door carrying a tray full of dirty
dishes covered with left over spaghetti, pasta sauce, and
Italian deserts. At first he does not recognize Felix.
Felix directs a remark at Pee Wee to spark Dabney's memory.
FELIX
I have you know Dabney fought
alongside my father at San Juan
Hill. And more than once saved me
from a mountain lion and that wild
dog Cuba.
Felix's defense of his friend's reputation startles Pee Wee,
who responds with a fresh insult.
PEE WEE
I guess I'll have to promote you to
"Sergeant of Suds".
Pee Wee leaves the two friends to catch up. Dabney sets down
the tray of dishes, salutes Felix, and smiles.
DABNEY
Thank you for defending me. His
insults don't hurt any more.
FELIX
He should respect a soldier.
Remember when we played war games
so one day we can fight side-by
side as heroes?
Dabney begins washing dishes to hold back his emotions.
DABNEY
Ya, but what is a hero left with
after the final battle? A medal,
injuries, or if he is lucky...his
life?
FELIX
I did not know you left Cuba
unhappy.
DABNEY
It wasn't what I left behind in
Cuba that brought me down. It's
what I found waiting for me when I
got home.
Dabney scraps off half-eaten Cannollis from a plate.
DABNEY
Life hasn't exactly been a plate of
sweet Cannollis for me.
Leaving the plates to soak, Dabney takes off his apron and
pulls up two soapboxes for them to sit and catch up.
DABNEY
So what about you? When did your
train arrive?
FELIX
No train. I ran from New Orleans?
Felix's statement brings Dabney out of his self-pity.
DABNEY
Why!
FELIX
I'm training to run for Cuba in the
Olympic Marathon in St. Louis.
DABNEY
Wow! But you'll be up against the
best in the world. Have you even
run a Marathon?
FELIX
So far I figure I run about 20
Marathons since New Orleans. And
Memphis is only halfway.
DABNEY
That's enough training for an
entire team.
FELIX
I am the entire Cuban team.
Dabney takes off his apron and puts on his Rough Rider
jacket.
DABNEY
Will you let me help you?
FELIX
Sure. How?
DABNEY
You can bunk with me at the Burkle
Mansion. That way you can rest up.
I'll ask Pee Wee to give you a job
busing tables and washing dishes so
you can buy a train ticket to St.
Louis.
Not wanting to curb his old friend's enthusiasm, Felix
hesitates.
FELIX
That is kind, but I am running out
of time.
DABNEY
You'll save time resting, then
riding on a train, compared to
running all that way.
FELIX
I rather keep on my own course to
keep strong.
Dabney looks up and down at Felix's more athletic wiry figure
honed by the 600 miles he is run so far.
DABNEY
Look at you. You're all skin and
bones. At least let me give you a
good meal and sleep in a real bed.
FELIX
Sure. For ol' times sake
Dabney escorts Felix out the alley and down Beale Street past
an impromptu jug band concert.
They reach the main entrance to the Burkle Mansion and Dabney
stops to tie a green ribbon on the Jocko statue's
outstretched arm.
FELIX
Are you...
DABNEY
Yup. By day, I'm a Bus Boy. By
night, I'm a Railroad Conductor.
EXT. BURKLE MANSION--NEXT MORNING
Dabney shakes Felix's hand.
DABNEY
Are you sure there's nothing I can
do to help get you to St. Louis?
Felix shoulders his mailbag and tries to think of a way to
show his appreciation for Dabney's friendship.
FELIX
Do you still have your Rough Rider
canteen?
DABNEY
It rusted. Why?
FELIX
I get really thirsty some times.
Dabney reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small smooth
stone and offers it to Felix.
FELIX
What is this?
DABNEY
It's a Mo-jo Saliva Stone.
FELIX
What do I do with it?
DABNEY
Mo-jo's sort of slave magic. Some
say if you tuck it in your cheek
like chewing tobacco, it'll keep
the saliva flowing during a hard
day's work under a hot summer sun.
Felix pops the stone in his mouth and mumbles.
FELIX
I dink it vurks.
The friends laugh at Felix's slurred saliva drooling speech.
EXT. MISSISSIPPI RIVER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND ST.
LOUIS
Felix continues on the second half his super-marathon,
receiving fewer wagon rides from Black families as the
population along the Mississippi turns whiter and whiter,
running from the rural South towards the industrialized
North.
Sugar cane field columns of smoke give way to smokestacks
billowing soot from new factories as a visual metaphor of the
100 years of development since the Louisiana Purchase, the
theme of the St. Louis World's Fair, the final destination
and host to the Olympic games.
The jazz and blues music as metaphor slows to Felix's
exhausted strides leading him up a hill.
Felix watches the silver sliver of a setting moon as he
reaches the peak of the hill. The moon seems to descend
behind a second moon. Having never seen a Ferris Wheel in
his life, Felix is drawn onward towards the mysterious
brightly lit rotating heavenly disc.
Just as Felix is on the threshold of discovering what the
mysterious object is that rises high above the star-like
heavenly city lit by the most light bulbs in the history of
the world...all the lights suddenly disappear...leaving Felix
to cautiously make his way across a bridge spanning the
Mississippi.
By the time Felix reaches the perimeter of the Fairgrounds
the only lights to be seen are a few campfires beyond a chain
stretched across the main gate.
In a dreamlike delirium of final exertion Felix drops his
mailbag, tucks in his shirt, adjusts his beret, runs up to
the chain, not noticing the sign declaring, "Closed for the
Sabbath", thrusts his chest out, spreads his arms like a
runner crossing a "Finishing Line", grabs the links and
tumbles over the chain that does not break. He bumps his
head on the ground and passes out.
Two tall thin black men, Len Tauyan and Jan Mashiani, appear
out of the darkness and kneel down next to Felix. Jan pulls
out a leather water pouch and sprinkles a few drops on
Felix's face to revive him.
Felix blinks his eyes open and smiles up at Len.
FELIX
Where am I?
LEN smiles, lightly laughs and answers with a British accent.
LEN
Africa.
The answer sends Felix back into his exhausted blackout.
EXT. LEN AND JAN'S ZULU HUT--SUNDAY MORNING
Felix exits a hut looking refreshed from his first full
night's sleep with a roof over his head since leaving
Memphis, 600 miles down the Mississippi.
Len and Jan sit on a bench outside the hut watching the
wanderings of natives from all over the world while relaxing
on this day off from the activities of the World's Fair. JAN
stands and offers a friendly hand to Felix.
JAN
Good-day, I'm Jan Mashiani and this
is Len Taunyan.
The other Zulu stands and towers over Felix. Felix releases
from shaking Jan's hand and reaches up to shake with Len.
FELIX
Felix Carvajal from Cuba. I am
confused, I thought this was St.
Louis.
LEN
It is.
FELIX
But I remember something about
Africa.
JAN
Right again. You're in the St.
Louis World's Fair recreation of
our Zulu village in Africa.
Still a little dazed and confused Felix tries to put this new
setting in perspective with his life so far in America.
FELIX
Are you with the Railroad?
JAN
No. We're with the Boer War show.
Come with me.
To help Felix better understand his new surroundings Jan and
Len lead Felix on a tour of the World's Fair grounds. The
trio strolls around a giant floral 112-foot diameter clock.
LEN
This is the American's day of the
week when their God rests. So the
world is ours for a few hours.
They continue along a richly decorated walkway passing an
occasional Zulu, Pygmy, Eskimo, Navajo, and Cheyenne Indian.
They stop in front of a gigantic poster advertising, "Anglo
Boer War".
JAN
We were dispatch runners in the
War.
Felix excitedly responds to the first familiar point of
reference he can relate to.
FELIX
My father ran for TR.
JAN
T...R?
FELIX
Theodore Roosevelt.
LEN
Your father ran for President of
the United States?
FELIX
He was not the President then. But
yes, he ran for TR during the
Spanish-American War in my home
country, Cuba. And I plan on
running for Cuba in TR's home
country at the Olympics.
They continue their walk past the magnificent grand displays
of American technology including Windmill Hill, giant diesel
turbines poised to light up the nighttime display of lights,
and the Palaces of Progress built to resemble the European
political power palaces of centuries past.
FELIX
How come you speak English so well?
JAN
We're students from the Orange Free
State University in South Africa.
LEN
We read a newspaper advertisement
for recruits to reenact the Boer
War. The World's Fair organizers
promised passage to America, room
and board. So we saw this as a
great opportunity to continue our
studies of the new "Century of
Capitalism".
Jan adjusts his floppy ragged hat and lifts his bare foot.
JAN
They especially wanted African
"savages", so we learned to dress
the part.
FELIX
I am also here because I read a
newspaper article, about the
Olympics.
The scale and wealth of the World's Fair impresses Felix.
FELIX
I wish the Olympic organizers
treated athletes from other nations
the way they treat you. I wish you
had a Battle of San Juan Show.
Then there would be Cuban "savages"
I could run for.
They reach a small lake surrounded by an American
interpretation of Filipino villages including "savages" for
the fairgoer's entertainment. One poster with a photo of a
wild hair native proclaims, "47 Acres of 1200 Natives".
LEN
You might think differently once
you see the "games" they plan for
"minority" athletes.
FELIX
Do you mean the Aboriginal Games?
Jan glares at Len, his "political" friend, and tries to
deflect the direction the conversation might take.
JAN
We can talk about that later. If
you want to know more, join us
later this week to hear William
McGee's anthropological lecture.
Instead of defusing the situation Jan's comment ignites Len's
own lecture on the politics of the new world order.
LEN
The American "Religion of Industry"
uses money as their form of prayer,
the Carnegies and Rockefellers as
priests, and the American President
as Pope of the Almighty Dollar,
who's determined to spread his
sermon of "Eminent Domain" across
the world.
A few Filipino natives gather around to hear Len's sermon.
LEN
Jan and I were brought here to
reenact the Boer War to promote war
as a necessary tool of imperialism.
Look around you. This World's Fair
is a Cathedral for Capitalism.
Felix is disturbed by Len's accusations against his belief
and loyalty towards the country that liberated his people
from the Spanish oppression.
FELIX
If what you say is true, why would
they have another World's Fair
after their President was
assassinated at the last one?
LEN
Who knows? They crucified the son
of their God.
FELIX
And they liberated Cuba.
A FILIPINO steps up and squares off eye-to-eye with Felix.
FILIPINO
They entered your home, then left
you alone because you come from the
same European family. But they
raided my home and stayed to father
our future children to grow up
walking and talking like the white
man.
Felix turns away from the Filipino and his small primitive
village. He stares across the fairgrounds at the panoramic
splendor of the white man's global accomplishments. Standing
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Filipino, and in front of the
much taller Zulu students, Felix mournfully declares.
FELIX
This is how I dreamed it.
Before Len can burst Felix's bubble, Jan whispers to him.
JAN
Let him enjoy today. He can wake
up to the real world tomorrow.
INT. LEN AND JAN'S WORLD'S FAIR ZULU HUT--MONDAY MORNING
Felix sleeps soundly until a choir of children outside his
mud hut window begins singing.
CHOIR
Meet me in St. Louis. Meet me at
the fair. Don't tell me the lights
are shining. Any place but there...
Felix gets out of bed and starts dressing as he walks to the
door to see what's going on.
CHOIR
We will dance the Hoochee-Koochee.
I will be your tootsie wootsie. If
you will meet me in St. Louis,
Louis. Meet me at the fair.
Wearing only his long tailed shirt and beret Felix steps out
into the glaring bright morning light and is startled by the
contrast from Sunday to Monday. Instead of a few natives
from all ethnic cultures of the world he now sees thousands
upon thousands of white fairgoers.
ELIZABETH Metcalf, modestly clothed all in black from ankle
to high collar except for her fancy plumed bonnet, with a new
"Brownie" Kodak camera hanging from a chain around her waist
like a nun's rosary, spots Felix and calls out to her equally
nun like sister.
ELIZABETH
Sarah, over here! I've got a new
specimen to shoot!
Elizabeth's call to "shoot" startles and frightens Felix.
FELIX
No! I'm not with the Boar War.
SARAH walks over to calm down their new target.
SARAH
Forgive my sister Elizabeth's
excitement. I'm Sarah Metcalf.
We're photographers for the
newspaper.
She lifts her Brownie camera for Felix to see it is harmless.
SARAH
"Shoot" means taking a picture.
She lets the camera fall back on it's chain, pulls a photo
out from her purse and hands it to a still shaking Felix.
Felix inspects the photo of her wearing her drab black outfit
standing next to a delicate Filipino Bagobo woman dressed in
a richly beaded and ornate costume. He strokes the photo of
the exotic beauty.
FELIX
Who is she?
SARAH
I don't know. I just hold them.
ELIZABETH
While I shoot them.
SARAH
If you're not with the Zulus, what
brings you here?
FELIX
Phidippides.
ELIZABETH
Oh yes. I love shooting those cute
little savages from the
Philippines.
FELIX
No. The Greek mailman Phidippides.
He ran the first Marathon?
SARAH
Wait a minute. There's a rumor
floating up the Mississippi about a
Cuban mailman who's running all the
way from New Orleans.
Felix smiles to the first whites to acknowledge his efforts
since he left Dabney in Memphis.
FELIX
I am not a rumor. I am a runner.
SARAH
You'll be famous if you let us take
your picture and interview you for
the Saint Louis Dispatch newspaper?
FELIX
Me in the newspaper? But I have
not won the Marathon yet.
ELIZABETH
Our public would love to read about
an underdog scampering all this way
just to run beside our Olympic
champions in the Games.
FELIX
Let me put on my pants and shoes.
EXT. WORLD'S FAIR FLORAL MAP OF THE UNITED STATES
As Elizabeth sets up a large format box camera on a tripod,
Sarah and Felix stand at the edge of the one-inch to the mile
colorful floral depiction of the 48 states. Sarah looks down
at Felix's wingtip shoes.
SARAH
You didn't have to wear your "Goin'
to Church" Sunday shirt and shoes.
FELIX
This is what I run in.
Sarah holds back her delight over what she sees as a naive
native's odd running outfit.
SARAH
Perfect. Our readers will eat you
up.
This new American expression resets Felix's caution.
FELIX
What do you want me to do?
Sarah leads Felix to a position over Memphis on the floral
map and poses him in a frozen run with one leg in the air
looking like the Greek statue of Mercury running in his
winged shoes.
SARAH
You must hold still until Elizabeth
calls out.
She leaves Felix quivering on one leg and joins her sister
next to the camera. Felix yells out.
FELIX
Hurry, this is harder than running.
ELIZABETH
Got'm!
Felix topples over rupturing the banks of the tiny
Mississippi from Memphis to Cairo. Felix slips and slides on
the tiny flood and flowers, laughing out loud as he tries to
stand, looking like Brer Rabbit frolicking in the brier
patch.
A Fairground GUARD is not amused by what he sees as an
assault on the American soil.
GUARD
Hey boy!
The forcefulness of the Guard's call freezes Felix
FELIX
What you say Brer Fox?
GUARD
Get out of my garden. Go back home
before I arrest you!
Felix stands and stares back with fear in his eyes.
EXT. LEN AND JAN'S ZULU HUT--NEXT MORNING
Felix cautiously walks out the front door and against the
flow of Americans towards the Ferris Wheel. He sees four
gigantic men dressed in identical uniforms approaching. The
tallest man, Martin SHERIDAN, points and shakes a rolled up
newspaper at Felix like he's scolding a dog, and screams.
SHERIDAN
That's him!
Mistaking the uniformed men to be more Guards returned to
punish him for damaging the floral American flag, Felix
panics and runs into the crowd.
The four men give chase. Fairgoers part like the Red Sea as
this mini-Moses flees the army of giants. The pursuit turns
into a real-life version of the Nickelodeon comedies now
popular at the amusement park arcade along The Pike. One
giant, Ralph ROSE grabs Felix, but looses his grip as Felix
squirms free.
ROSE
He's as slippery as a greased pig.
Two of his companions, Charles CHADWICK and John FLANAGAN
finally manage to wrestle Felix to the ground.
FELIX
Let me go!
CHADWICK
I will if you promise not to run.
FELIX
I promise...to run harder.
FLANAGAN
Stop squirming.
FELIX
Please do not arrest me.
Sheridan opens the newspaper and shows Felix the Metcalf
photo of Felix posing on the floral flag below the large bold
headline, "FELIX THE FLYER".
SHERIDAN
We don't want to "arrest" you. We
want to "assist" you.
Chadwick and Flanagan release the calmer Felix. Sheridan
hands him the newspaper story of his journey to the Olympics.
SHERIDAN
We...The United States Weight
Tossing Team...would like to
welcome the...how did you say it in
your interview? "The greatest
running mailman since Phidippides?"
Felix blushes at both the misunderstanding as to who these
uniformed Olympians are, and his bragging to the press.
FELIX
Sometimes I blow my own horn a
little too loud.
Flanagan takes Felix's statement as a hint. And to lighten
the mood he dips down, thrusts his head between Felix's legs
and hoists him on his shoulders.
FLANAGAN
How's the view.
Suddenly taller than any of the Americans for the first time
since landing in New Orleans, Felix triumphantly cheers.
FELIX
I can see everything.
Felix points his arm to direct his new troop of friends
onward to The Pike amusement park.
From high up Felix acts like a little kid on his father's
shoulders pointing out the various exhibits, while holding
the newly created confection, "cotton candy", like an Olympic
Torch. A vendor hawks the new medicinal soda Dr. Pepper. On
the other side of the walkway an elegant man, Thomas HICKS,
wearing the same Olympic uniform as Felix's companions,
accepts a golden goblet from a servant, drinks and announces.
HICKS
Drink my "Marathon Miracle Elixir"
and you'll be able to run...almost
as fast as me.
CHADWICK
That dandy is always lecturing our
team about how his British
upbringing. What makes him so
superior to the rest of us? I'd
like to put a cork in that uppity
braggart's bottle.
FELIX
I will cork him for you in the
race.
They continue along The Pike slowing to study the exhibits
and listen to Scott Joplin's new rags composed for the fair.
Tribal warriors hold their poses looking like the stuffed
animals in their panorama displays.
Felix taps Chadwick's shoulder to be let down in front of the
famous yet lifeless and haggard Geronimo wearing a hand-me
down business suit, brought from his prison cell daily, to
sit and sell miniature bow and arrow souvenirs. Sheridan
notices Felix's empathy towards the defeated Chief.
SHERIDAN
How far, the mighty fall?
Sheridan spots a photo-booth and tries to change the mood.
SHERIDAN
Let's get a photo together.
FELIX
I like that.
As the weight-tossers line up, Sheridan retrieves a crate
from an orange juice vendor's booth, and sets it up for Felix
to stand front and center.
The photographer's flash powder resets the scene at the Boar
War Show with the flash of a bomb going off in front of Felix
and his new friends watching his first friends, Len and Jan,
running dispatches across the battlefield.
FELIX
Those are my mates, Len and Jan.
FLANAGAN
Wow! They're really fast.
SHERIDAN
You're a fellow Olympian now.
Wouldn't you rather move out of
that mud hut and be our guest at
the Jefferson Hotel?
CHADWICK
The Jefferson might not allow a...
SHERIDAN
Then we'll register him as
our...mascot.
The friendly inclusion into the ranks of American Olympians
reminds Felix of Dabney.
FELIX
Like TR's mascot for the Rough
Riders?
SHERIDAN
Sure, just like your friend in the
interview.
ROSE
But if he's going to join our
fraternity he's got to go though an
initiation.
FELIX
What is an initiation?
Rose strokes his mighty chin and looks around the fairgrounds
for a fitting test of Felix the Flyer.
ROSE
It's a test of your courage, to
lift you up into the heavens to
join fellow ancient Olympians.
EXT. AERONAUTIC CONCOURSE
Felix and Sheridan squeeze into a spindly gondola slung below
an old Civil War observation balloon. The other members of
the weight-tossing team release the grappling lines to cast
off Felix on his "initiation" flight, shouting out bon
voyage.
WEIGHT-TOSSERS
Felix Flies!
Soaring high above the fair Felix gets a new perspective of
his past few days; the giant Ferris Wheel looking like a
kid's spinning top, the colorful floral map small enough to
fold in his hand, the gigantic clock ready to tuck into his
watch pocket, the Boer War Show with toy soldiers, and the
new Washington University athletic stadium waiting for his
future.
SHERIDAN
From here you can see the whole
world.
Felix points to the bowl shaped Olympic Stadium.
FELIX
From there the whole world will see
me.
They both look into the gleaming white new stadium.
INT. JEFFERSON HOTEL--NEXT MORNING
The Olympic stadium becomes a cereal bowl.
FLANAGAN (O.S.)
Slow down Felix. You'll get a
stomach ache.
Felix drops his spoon into the bowl and adjusts his pillow as
he looks over his breakfast tray to a bridal-suite size bed
covered with new food items from the World's Fair.
Unlike the typical movie scene with teammates visiting a star
player recovering from an injury the day before the big game,
or a sport hero promising to hit a home run for a dying kid,
Felix is being seduced by what he sees as a life of luxury
given to him by the weight-tossing team sitting around him in
his bedroom.
Felix picks up a single remaining cereal flake from his bowl.
FELIX
What is this?
ROSE
Corn Flakes.
FLANAGAN
Keith Kellogg supplied the team
with all we can eat.
CHADWICK
How many bowls it that so far?
FLANAGAN
Four.
ROSE
They should put Felix's picture on
the front of the box for
advertisement.
Felix adjusts his beret and pretends to pose for a camera.
FLANAGAN
Felix Flakes, breakfast of Cuban
champions.
FELIX
If you "run out" of Felix Flakes,
"run out" and buy the latest
World's Fair "Fast Food."
The weight-tossers laugh at Felix's imitation of Hicks
hawking his Marathon Elixir at The Pike. Felix picks up
another World's fair new food item off his bed covers, takes
a bite out of the Hamburger with pleasure, swallows, and then
addresses Sheridan.
FELIX
So this is the "first-class"
treatment I lost in New Orleans.
Is this how it is every day for the
American team?
SHERIDAN
Only when they want to show the
team off as the world's superior
athletes. Speaking of team, what's
your strategy for the Marathon?
FELIX
Strategy?
SHERIDAN
You'll run better by mapping out
your pace and who you'll run with.
You know, a team.
Felix reaches over the side of the bed and pulls his mailbag
up. He digs around for his sack of dominos, reaches in
stirring the CLACKING dominos, and then holds out his closed
fist in front of Sheridan's face.
FELIX
What Domino number am I holding?
SHERIDAN
How could I know?
FELIX
Use your strategy?
SHERIDAN
Strategy doesn't work that way.
FELIX
My grandfather Yayo would say,
"Cuban strategy is like dominos.
Expect the unexpected."
Felix opens his hand to reveal...no domino.
He picks up another new fast food item, the Hot Dog, and uses
it like a lecturer's pointer.
FELIX
In a good game of dominos, enjoy
the company of your opponent and
those watching you play. Move just
fast enough to keep them confused.
Felix bits the Hot Dog in half.
FELIX
Keep an eye out for cheating.
Do not stack you dominos so the enemy can knock them down
with one move. Wait till the last moment to show what you
hold in your hand. And do not quit till the last tile is
played.
Sheridan is intrigued by Felix's plan.
SHERIDAN
I think our coaches should meet
Yayo.
Chadwick hands Felix a glass jar that looks like it's filled
with tan mud and tiny stones.
FELIX
What is this?
CHADWICK
Booker Washington invented it for
the World's Fair as his poor man's
"healthy food."
Felix uses his cereal spoon to dip out a heaping tablespoon
and sniffs the gooey substance.
CHADWICK
It's called Peanut Butter.
FELIX
Will it make me faster?
Like a kid too curious to wait for and answer Felix stuffs
the whole spoonful in his mouth.
CHADWICK
It might slow you down your...
Chadwick's attempt to slow Felix from eating too much works.
FELIX
Dis duff is Grreeaat!
SHERIDAN
What do you want now?
FELIX
Ow bout da
abba...abba...ddaa...gums?
Flanagan picks up a candy bar off the bed.
FLANAGAN
I think he wants an Abba Dabba bar.
Felix shakes his head no. He takes a glass of milk from the
bed-tray to wash down the peanut butter.
FELIX
How about the Aboriginal Day Games?
Felix looks down into the peanut butter jar.
EXT. ABORIGINAL DAY GAMES--THAT AFTERNOON
The peanut butter morphs into a tan muddy field scattered
with tossing stones, shot-puts, baseballs and spears.
The weight-tossing team, Felix, Len and Jan stand with other
American Olympians and watch the competition.
FELIX
I do not feel so good.
SHERIDAN
It's all that fast food.
Hicks steps up and pulls out a flask.
HICKS
Take a swig of my Marathon Elixir.
FLANAGAN
What's in that swill?
HICKS
Some brandy to kill the pain. And
a little strychnine to stimulant
the body.
FLANAGAN
Isn't that a poison?
HICKS
Only if you're a loser who drinks
too much.
Fred LORZ, America's premier marathon runner, joins the
conversation with an arrogant attitude to match Hicks.
LORZ
Speaking of losers. Who wants to
make a friendly wager on the pygmy?
The 6'6" 265 lbs. Rose sizes up the 3'3" pygmy holding a
baseball.
ROSE
What do you have in mind?
LORZ
The runt's about half your size.
So I'll give you a break and bet he
can't toss even a fourth of your
record.
ROSE
It's a bet.
Everyone watches as an official walks up to the pygmy, takes
away the 5-oz. baseball and hands back a full size Olympic
16-lb shot-put. The pygmy struggles to heft the weight to
his tiny shoulders and with all his might, barely avoids
putting it beyond his own feet.
Lorz smirks and holds out his hand for the pay off.
LORZ
What did you expect?
ROSE
I could have tossed him holding the
shot farther than that.
His fellow tribesmen join the pygmy. They heft the shot-put
and start running around the muddy field slipping and sliding
trying to keep from dropping the iron ball, laughing at the
new game they've invented.
ROSE
They're making a mockery of my
sport.
SHERIDAN
Maybe. But look how much fun
they're having. When was the last
time you picked up your shot-ball
and tossed it just for fun?
Lorz holds up his winnings, kisses it, and goats Rose for
more.
LORZ
Care to make it "double-or-nothing"
on the Archery competition.
The mention of double-or-nothing perks up Felix's sickly
mood.
FELIX
Take the bet. I met Geronimo and
he told me how good they are with a
bow and arrow.
ROSE
You're on Lorz, double-or-nothing.
Again, the official competition is not a test of "native"
skills, but a version geared towards the white man's games.
An official orders an Indian off his horse, takes away his
homemade bow and arrows, and hands him a modern Olympic
archery set.
After dozens of competitors from American Indian tribes,
Filipinos, Africans, and Japanese Ainus launch their arrows
looking like a military assault. Only two arrows strike the
bulls-eye hay bale target.
An official presents the winner with the Anthropological Day
Games' top prize, a miniature American flag.
LORZ
No wonder these savages always lose
to us in battle.
Felix, now looking more irritated by the manipulation of the
events to the white man's standards than his stomach illness,
squares off against Lorz.
FELIX
I bet your General Custer made the
same mistake with "savages" at
Little Big Horn.
An announcer carrying a megaphone walks by the grandstands.
ANNOUNCER
The "pole climbing", "spear
chucking" and "mud slinging"
competitions will follow the one
mile run.
Len taps Felix on the shoulder and points out one of the
runners and whispers a little insider's information.
LEN
That's Bertie Lehouw. He's our
national champion.
Felix taps Lorz's arm and holds out two dollars.
FELIX
I bet on the African.
Lorz studies the sickly Felix and smirks.
LORZ
I wouldn't want to take advantage
of someone who looks like he only
runs to his mommy when he gets a
boo-boo.
FLANAGAN
Have you read the newspapers?
LORZ
Why should I? I haven't won my
race yet.
FELIX
Are you afraid to bet?
LORZ
I normally don't take candy from a
baby...but you need to learn a
lesson.
FELIX
We see who learns his lesson.
The starter's gun goes off for the one-mile race. Bernie
quickly and easily takes the lead. After the first lap
Bernie is a twenty yards ahead.
Now it's Rose's time to mock Lorz.
ROSE
Lucky for you he's not a
Marathoner.
The best cure for Felix's illness is his enthusiastic
cheering for Bertie, accompanied by Len, Jan and his Olympian
friends.
Now a half lap ahead of the other runners, Bertie looks over
his shoulder, and slows down to lets the others catch up. At
the finishing line Bertie lets the Crow Indian and Asian
runners pass him. Bertie politely refuses the third place
American flag.
Lorz snatches the his winnings from Felix and flings one last
insult at the pole climbers and spear chuckers.
LORZ
Look at that monkey climb.
HICKS
He's afraid of being hit by one of
the spear chuckers.
The two American Marathoners leave the others to lick their
wounds. Felix leans his elbows on the grandstand railing,
MOANS, and stares out at the "international" competition
being cheered and jeered as a slapstick version of the
Olympics.
FELIX
I do not feel so good.
Sheridan puts a friendly hand on Felix's shoulder.
SHERIDAN
You've got to watch what you eat.
FELIX
Not that. I mean I do not feel so
good about running in front of all
these same people in "your"
Olympics.
Felix closes his eyes and buries his head in his arms to
block out the physical and psychological pain of witnessing
the Anthropological Day Games.
INT. JEFFERSON HOTEL--NEXT DAY
Buried under bed sheets Felix responds to a KNOCK at the
door.
FELIX
Go away!
SHERIDAN (O.S.)
Len and Jan are here.
FELIX
Tell them I still sick.
LEN (O.S.)
Come with us to the lecture.
FELIX
I already learned all I need to
know.
JAN (O.S.)
You promised.
FELIX
All right. Let me get dressed.
INT. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LECTURE HALL
Jan, Len and Sheridan lead a defeated looking Felix into a
room filled with World's Fair tourists and a large contingent
from the American Olympic team standing apart from Lorz,
Hicks and their own entourage. Felix looks at the team.
FELIX
Why are they here?
SHERIDAN
To give support to a fellow
Olympian from Cuba.
Two men stand on the stage looking like overweight balding
politicians ready to debate their political views. Dr MCGEE
introduces himself and his co-host, SULLIVAN, to the
audience. (What follows is the actual Sheridan and McGee
debate)
MCGEE
Mr. James Sullivan, head of the
American Olympic Organization
Committed, and myself, Dr. McGee,
head of the Smithsonian Institute
Anthropological Department, welcome
you to the Anthropological Days
lecture series.
The audiance applaud the distinguished lecturers. Len, Jan,
Felix and Sheridan's group of Olympians remain silent.
MCGEE
Let me start by saying the goal of
the Anthropological games, as well
as the Olympic games, is to educate
St. Louis fairgoers about the
science of sport as a tool in
accelerating the conversion of
savages into civilized people like
us.
SULLIVAN
Fitness in sports can be linked to
fitness of a country. The sound
body is the safest guardian of
morality and civilization, which is
being demonstrated by the
superiority of the American athlete
over all other peoples.
The audiance applauds again. Felix starts listening more
intently to what is being said.
MCGEE
What about the natural athletic
abilities of indigenous peoples?
SULLIVAN
I find your views unscientific and
alarming. Who amongst us watching
the savages comical efforts in the
Western style standing broad jump
were not reminded of Mark Twain's
"Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"?
The audience's burst of laughter at the Twain story
characterization of competitors like his friends Len and Jan
turns Felix's physical fever into a brewing outrage.
McGee also looks wounded by Sullivan's comments. He responds
by revealing more of his views.
MCGEE
I'm pleased with the results of the
events, because they demonstrate
what anthropologists have long
known, that the white man leads the
races of the world both physically
and mentally. In all-round
development no primitive people can
rank in the same class as a
Missouri boy like... Tom Sawyer.
Now the social and political personality of this American
audience comes to light for Felix to see clearly.
MCGEE
The average white man is stronger
of limb, fleeter of foot, clearer
of eye, and far more enduring of
body under stress and hardship than
the average yellow or red or black.
As the audiance erupts in cheers, Lorz and Hicks make their
way over to Felix and his friends.
MCGEE
The best way to bear the white
man's burden and direct the course
of human progress is to demonstrate
value of American imperialism
through modern sports training.
Lorz yells out.
LORZ
Like training dogs.
HICKS
And horses.
McGee shouts back to take control of the unruly audience.
MCGEE
A race cannot itself make the
necessary strides without our help.
Felix's fever explodes. He stands and shouts to the stage.
FELIX
I do not need your help to out
"stride" any man in this room!
Sullivan joins McGee with his own counter attack.
SULLIVAN
I've scientifically determined any
white man is four times better in
any athletic competition.
FELIX
I take those odds!
MCGEE
Who are you?
FELIX
I am here to run for Cuba.
MCGEE
You're too late. The
Anthropological Games are over.
FELIX
In the Olympics.
This time the audience is silent as Felix's Olympic friends
cheer.
SHERIDAN
He's with us.
McGee and Sullivan conference on stage, nodding in agreement
with satisfied expressions over the situation.
MCGEE
In the interest of science, we will
make and exception and allow your
little friend to compete.
The invigorated Felix pushes for more.
FELIX
And my African running mates?
As McGee and Sullivan whisper to each other again, Len
whispers to Felix.
LEN
And Bertie?
FELIX
But he lost.
JAN
He lost intentionally, in protest.
FELIX
And Bertie Lehouw!
Sullivan smiles to McGee.
SULLIVAN
That's perfect. He's the one who
broke down and lost the mile run.
McGee addresses Felix and the audience.
MCGEE
Agreed. Four for your race team.
Flanagan starts a chant.
FLANAGAN
Race...race...race...race...
Felix's Olympian friends pick up the chant, changing the
cadence and meaning.
OLYMPIANS
Race-race...race-race...
EXT. ST. LOUIS OLYMPIC STADIUM--DAY OF THE MARATHON
The "race-race" chant is drowned out by thousands of
spectators cheering. On this final day of the Olympics, with
the World's Fair closed for the Sabbath, the fans pack the
stadium beyond capacity, sweltering under the humid 90-degree
summer sun, looking like the 24th Infantry soldiers in the
opening scene, anticipating the start of the final event of
these Olympic games...the Marathon.
On the field Sheridan stands atop the podium receiving his
gold medal for the discus throw.
Nearby 31 runners stretch and jog in place preparing for the
marathon. Felix is nowhere to be seen.
Hicks gets up off his massage table and gives final orders to
one of his attendants Charles LUCAS.
HICKS
Have you packed plenty of elixir
and ointment in my vehicle?
LUCAS
Yes sir. And I was also able to
find your peaches. They're right
under your telescope.
Looking a little overwhelmed by the extremely hot day, except
for a sly smile, Lorz walks over to Hicks with his hand out.
LORZ
Care to pay up now? I told you
that little Cuban would chicken
out.
Hicks points out Felix finally entering the stadium dressed
in his mailman's outfit carrying his mailbag.
HICKS
There he is.
LORZ
Packed and dressed to say good-by
before running home to his mommy.
An Olympic Announcer using the new electrically amplified
public address system quiets the spectators.
ANNOUNCER
Runners please approach the
starting line.
Felix sets down his mailbag and walks to the line.
Sheridan steps off the podium wearing his medal and rushes
over to Felix.
SHERIDAN
Hurry up and change into your
running gear.
FELIX
This is my gear.
Sheridan turns to an OFFICIAL.
SHERIDAN
You need to delay the race.
OFFICIAL
What for?
SHERIDAN
I need to make an adjustment to one
of the runner's gear.
OFFICIAL
You're not an official. What gives
you the right to delay this race?
Sheridan flashes his gold medal at the uppity Official.
As the Announcer begins introducing the rules and runners to
the audience, Sheridan dashes over to his own gear bag.
ANNOUNCER
Our Spanish-American War horsemen
who charged ahead in the
Philippines and Cuba will ride
ahead of the runners planting their
red flags to mark out the 25 mile
Marathon course.
The crowd cheers the Rough Riders parading around the track.
ANNOUNCER
And to celebrate the World's Fair
finest technological achievement,
the horseless carriage, fifty of
the finest will parade ahead and
escort our runners.
The shiny new contraptions spit and sputter, causing the
nearby fans to cough over the noxious fumes.
ANNOUNCER
Like the ancient games of Greece
and Rome, and Battle of Marathon,
after five laps around our grand
Olympic Stadium, our runners will
take on seven hills through the
heart of St. Louis. In addition to
providing medical attention to the
fallen, a fine water station
sponsored by Marathon Elixir awaits
to refresh the runners at the
halfway mark.
One runner, William GARCIA, turns to BERTIE Harris and
comments on the obvious lack of water for such a long race.
GARCIA
What do they expect us to drink for
the rest of the race?
BERTIE
Each other's sweat.
Sheridan comes back to Felix and kneels down with a pair of
scissors in hand.
FELIX
What are those for?
SHERIDAN
Scissor strategy.
Sheridan uses the scissors to point out Len and Jan's cut off
pants, which accentuates the fact they're running bare foot.
SHERIDAN
Trust me. You'll never survive
this heat and humidity in long
pants and shirt.
With pants cut to the knee, revealing long black socks held
up by calf garters, Felix looks even more comical as a
runner.
ANNOUNCER
Our featured runners today include
Albert Corey and Arthur Newton, who
ran for American in the Paris
Olympics.
Sheridan helps pin Felix's runner number "3" to his shirt.
SHERIDAN
Those two are America's gentlemen
runners.
FELIX
I never heard of them.
SHERIDAN
They didn't medal in Paris. They
just love a good race, not the
glory. You'll be treated like an
equal running alongside them.
ANNOUNCER
This year's Boston Marathon winner,
Michael Spring.
Michael SPRING steps forward to acknowledge the cheering
fans, then steps back and looks down at Felix's shoes.
Spring lifts one foot to catch the sunlight and show off his
highly polished running shoes.
SPRING
My "runners" are the finest
calfskin money can buy.
JAN
In my homeland baby cows are not
very fast runners.
Felix buffs his shoes on the back of his socks, and then
tilts a shoe sideways to inspect the battering 1200 miles
etched into his soles.
FELIX
Nothing is good as a pair of broken
in New Orleans Wingtips.
Len turns up the sole of his bare foot.
LEN
Or South African "hide".
ANNOUNCER
Samuel Mellor and John Lordon,
winners of the 1902 and 1903 Boston
Marathon. And Thomas Hicks, who
finished second in Boston this
year...
Before stepping forward to acknowledge the hundreds of
customers waving bottles of his Marathon elixir, Hicks
removes the massage towel from around his neck and hands it
to Felix.
HICKS
There's still time for you to throw
in the towel.
FELIX
What do you mean?
LUCAS
In war you wave the white flag to
surrender?
As a defiant gesture, Felix fans himself with the towel to
cool off, blows his nose into the white terry-cloth, and then
tucks it into the belt of his pants.
FELIX
I keep it to wave, so you can see
me...ahead of you.
ANNOUNCER
Runners take your mark.
EXT. YAYO'S PORCH HAVANA CUBA--SUMMER--1898
The 13-year-old Felix sets up dominos on end like a column of
soldiers. He picks up the domino with 3 black dots places it
at one end, then smiles over at Yayo.
FELIX
Three is my lucky number.
The younger Felix flicks his index finger to start number 3's
tumble into the other dominos.
EXT. ST. LOUIS OLYMPIC STADIUM--THE MARATHON
The starter's gun FIRES. Felix stumbles into two runners.
Stadium fans erupt with LAUGHTER.
Felix brushes himself off, bows, bolts forward like a
sprinter, passing everyone, and takes the lead.
Lorz and Hicks run side-by-side watching Felix up ahead.
HICKS
He's as fast as that African.
LORZ
Let the little "rabbit" burn
himself out.
After two laps Felix runs off the track, borrows a megaphone
from a bewildered Washington University cheerleader and
delivers an announcement to the spectators.
Albert COREY and Arthur NEWTON look over at Felix.
COREY
Who's that?
NEWTON
He's the one Lorz calls the "Cuban
Clown".
As Corey and Newton pass, Felix shouts to the crowd.
FELIX
And here comes your American
Olympians from the Paris Games,
Albert Corey and Arthur Newton.
Give them a hand.
The crowd acknowledges the unsung Olympians. Corey and
Newton wave back their thanks, and give a tip of invisible
hats to Felix. Felix takes off his beret to tip them back.
Felix runs with the megaphone a few hundred yards further
along the track, and then peals off to make more
announcements. Len and Jan are the next runners approaching
their friend Felix, the new impromptu "running" commentator.
FELIX
Running together all the way from
Orange Free State University South
Africa, I give you, Len Taunyan and
Jan Mashiani. And just a few
strides behind, their national
champion Bertie Harris.
The crowd takes to Felix's antics. But the weight tossing
team walks over to Felix with the look of three unhappy
parents.
FELIX
You already know America's gold
medal team, Sheridan, Flanagan and
Rose.
The gold medalists receive the biggest applause.
SHERIDAN
What are you doing?
FELIX
The Announcer forgot to introduce
my "Race Team".
SHERIDAN
No. I mean what's with this start
stop-start-stop routine?
FELIX
This is how I deliver the mail.
FLANAGAN
But this is a race against time.
FELIX
You sound just like the postmaster
in Cuba. I always finished my
deliveries ahead of time.
Felix hands Sheridan the megaphone and joins up with Len and
Jan. Felix CLAPS a rhythm for the three to run in unison like
the three-legged race in Cuba. The spectators join in the
rhythmic CLAPPING.
A MOTHER stands beside her sickly young son, and waves a
white envelope to get Felix's attention. The weight tossing
team watches Felix run off the track again to respond to the
Mother.
MOTHER
Are you the running mailman?
FELIX
Felix Carvajal at your service.
MOTHER
I bought a case of the Marathon
Elixir for my son's illness.
The Mother points out Hicks running by.
MOTHER
That man took our money but forgot
to take my son's letter he promised
he'd give to President Roosevelt's
daughter after he won the race.
FELIX
Do you know the President?
MOTHER
Not personally. My husband died
fighting with him in Cuba.
FELIX
I will deliver your son's letter.
EXT. YAYO'S PORCH HAVANA CUBA--SUMMER--1898
The young Felix fidgets with a letter as Yayo ponders his
next domino move.
YAYO
What is that?
FELIX
Another one of General Roosevelt's
"Died in Action" letters for a
family back in America.
INT. OLYMPIC STADIUM
Felix tucks the Mother's letter under his beret, and looks
over to see the last runners exiting the stadium. He runs to
catch up, as the announcer broadcasts Felix's position.
ANNOUNCER
Leaving the stadium, dead last.
Felix...Car...Carve a Jail?
Felix stops and leans over to correct the announcer's
pronunciation of his name. The announcer shakes his head in
frustration and hands the microphone to Felix to address the
spectators.
FELIX
When you come to Cuba, just ask for
Felix.
He hands the mic back and heads to the exit as a few dozen
new Felix LOCAL FANS begins chanting.
LOCAL FANS
Felix...Felix...Felix.
EXT. OLYMPIC STADIUM
The chant from the few local fans is echoed louder by a
gathering of the GLOBAL FANS from the World's Fair "savage"
communities including Filipinos, Japanese Ainu, American
Indians, African Pygmies and Zulus cheering Felix with their
own accented variation of his name.
GLOBAL FANS
Felix...Freelix...Ferix...
Felix takes the time to shake hands, bow and return many
different gestures of friendliness.
EXT. OLYMPIC WAY--MILE 2
In the middle of what will be the new century's typical
smoggy roadway the runners cough and gasp for air running
behind the dust cloud created by the automobile escort.
Hicks runs alongside his supply automobile.
HICKS
Give me a damp towel!
Lucas hands Hicks a towel to wipe off the dark brown dust
that sticks to his sweat soaked skin.
Hicks wipes his face to reveal his pale white skin and
watches Jan and Len run past.
HICKS
This dust is turning me into one of
those "darkies".
Jan hacks and spits muddy saliva, narrowly missing Hicks.
JAN
This is like a desert storm.
Len looks back at Hicks.
LEN
Yeah. But in the desert an oasis
is for everyone.
EXT. OLYMPIC STADIUM
Felix turns the corner onto Olympian Way to encounter
NEWSPAPER BOYS flashing and shouting out the day's headlines.
NEWSPAPER BOYS
Race of All Races!
On the opposite side of the road, mailmen dressed in uniform
with leather pouches enjoy their day off with their families
cheering their fellow postman.
Felix stops in front of a Mailman and his son, takes off his
hat, pulls out the Rough Rider son's letter to the President,
and then hesitates handing it to the MAILMAN.
MAILMAN
I'd be glad to...
FELIX
I better do this myself. Thank you.
MAILMAN
I should be thanking you. Until my
son heard about you, he thought his
old man had a dumb and dull job.
The son excitedly tugs on his father's arm to get his
attention.
MAILMAN
Now he imagines all mailmen are
heroic messengers of Greek legends.
The SON tugs on Felix's towel.
SON
Pardon me Mister Felix. Dad won't
stop talking, and you're not
running.
Felix kneels down to look eye-to-eye with the Son.
FELIX
I let the dust settle.
Felix pulls the towel out from his belt.
FELIX
Will you help me?
SON
Sure. What can I do?
FELIX
Help me put on my mask.
Felix wraps the towel around his face as a dusk mask and lets
the son tie a knot to secure it in the back. Felix stands
and stares ahead looking like a Cuban "Lawrence of Arabia"
preparing to leave his loyal troops and face the enemy in
this hostile terrain.
FELIX
Felix the Bandido will steal the
gold.
Felix surges forward to attack the first steep hill.
EXT. CREST OF ROCK HILL--MILE 7
An ice cream and a waffle vendor standing at their stations
with no customers watch a turbaned head rise out of a mirage
looking like Lawrence of Arabia walking across the Sinai
Desert.
As Felix crests the hill he now appears to be a mystic man
running on the watery heat waves.
He stops in front of the two vendors, unwraps his makeshift
turban and smiles as if he'd just taken an easy stroll up the
hill.
Felix notices the ice cream vendor's melting ice container.
FELIX
May I soak my towel in your ice
water?
The teenage vendor, ARNOLD Fornachou, nods.
ARNOLD
Go ahead. The ice cream melts so
fast in this heat...
Arnold steps aside to reveal the 1904 Boston Marathon winner,
Michael Spring, hiding from Felix.
ARNOLD
My only customer is him.
Felix steps around Arnold's stand and looks down at Spring
sitting on a crate with each foot immersed in a tub of
vanilla ice cream stained with what seems to be strawberry
syrup.
FELIX
Are you all right?
SPRING
The organizers promised me a race
like I ran in Boston. How can they
run a Marathon in these barbaric
conditions?
FELIX
Why should they care? They are
like generals who leave the running
to the "foot soldiers" like us.
Spring lifts one of his shredded expensive running shoes to
point out how "Rock Hill" got its name.
SPRING
Look how this road chewed up my
sweet calfskins.
Felix picks up one of the waffles from the vendor's stand.
FELIX
Maybe you could resole your shoes
with this tasty treat.
Felix puts down the waffle and starts to rewrap the ice-cold
towel around his face.
A Syrian waffle vendor, Ernest HAMWI, watches Felix
curiously.
HAMWI
Are you from the Middle East?
FELIX
No. I'm from down south.
HAMWI
Ah, Africa.
FELIX
I have African friends. Why do you
think I am African?
HAMWI
You wear your towel like a nomad
who travels far on a pilgrimage.
FELIX
My Yayo taught me how to use a wet
cloth to keep my head from melting
on hot Cuban days.
EXT. YAYO'S PORCH HAVANA CUBA--SUMMER--1898
Yayo plays a domino that forces Felix to draw several tiles
from the pile before he can find a playable piece. Felix
slams his tile down in anger.
YAYO
The heat of competition rises to
your head. Anger burns your brain.
Yayo hands Felix a wet towel to put on his head.
YAYO
Keep a cool head no matter how far
you trail behind the other player.
EXT. CREST OF ROCK HILL--MILE 7
Listening to the conversation between Felix and Hamwi sparks
an idea in Arnold. He interrupts them.
ARNOLD
May I have one of your waffles?
Hamwi hands Arnold a waffle. Arnold rolls it into a cone,
dips a scoop of ice cream and offers his invention to Felix.
Felix accepts the world's first ice cream cone, turns and
offers it to the dejected Spring.
FELIX
Maybe this will raise your spirits.
Spring accepts the confection, takes a lick and smiles.
Felix wraps the wet towel around his neck tucking it into the
collar of his shirt while watching Arnold make another cone.
Felix accepts the ice cream cone and runs off, taking an
occasional lick on his way downhill as he gazes over the
cornfields beyond and notices he's not very far behind the
dust cloud marking the automobiles and runners.
EXT. WARSON WOODS--MILE 9
Lorz, wearing his numbered running jersey on his head as a
makeshift umbrella against the scorching sun, sits beside
Bertie on the edge of the woods.
LORZ
I can't believe I only got as far
as...
BERTIE
One of us savages?
LORZ
Who are you to question me? You
barely finished the mile race
against you own kind. Why did you
enter the Marathon?
BERTIE
To run up close and personal with
one of America's most famous
runners so I could witness what the
white man's superior training can
do when used in a one-on-one
battle.
LORZ
But you're dropping out too.
BERTIE
An African doesn't need to run a
wounded animal to death to test his
own superiority.
LORZ
You think you're superior to me?
BERTIE
One-on-one, maybe. But more
importantly I wanted to get a
preview of how American
imperialists might "retrain"
natives, compared to the British
methods used on us after the Boer
War.
Before Bertie can continue his outburst, one of the medical
cars arrives. The driver struggles to control his brakes on
the graveled road, bringing the car to a dusty stop. A
DOCTOR reaches back and opens the door to a bench style back
seat.
DOCTOR
If you're dropping out of the race,
we can give you a ride back to the
stadium.
Lorz stands up, and gets in as if the offer was only for him.
LORZ
I'm feeling faint again. I think I
should lie down.
Lorz closes the door and lies down, leaving no room for
Bertie.
The car sputters and stalls. The driver gets out to turn the
hand crank. The Doctor hands Lorz a wet white towel to
shield his face from the sun, and then he addresses Bertie.
DOCTOR
We'll send another vehicle back to
pick you up.
Bertie rises and stretches like a lion that's been sleeping.
BERTIE
No thanks. I can find my own way
home.
Lorz rises up and slaps the side of the automobile to
punctuate his final attack.
LORZ
Our technology will carry us to the
eventual triumph over all others.
BERTIE
Only if we're blind enough not to
see the truth.
Bertie turns and heads off with the grace of a gazelle on a
cross-country jaunt through the woods.
Felix runs by just as the driver cranks the car to life, and
glances into the back seat to see the fallen runner looking
like a corpse with the towel pulled over his face.
Felix catches up to Albert Corey and matches his stride.
Up ahead John London waves his jersey to flag down the
approaching medical vehicle. As the car passes Felix, Corey
and London, an arm rises from the back seat and waves the
white towel.
FELIX
Who's that?
COREY
Someone who's surrendered to the
road and accepted this race is not
his to win.
EXT. CRYSTAL LAKE PARK--HALFWAY WATER STATION--MILE 12
Felix and Corey run up another steep hill of this grueling
Marathon. Corey shows signs of dehydration and delirium,
singing as he runs.
COREY
Jack and Jill ran up the hill to
fetch a pail of water.
Felix bumps Corey's shoulder to shake him out of his mania
and draw his attention up ahead at the crest of the hill
where they see Hicks dousing himself with a large ladle of
water.
COREY
I've been dreaming of swimming in
water for miles.
Reaching the only water station, Corey dashes over to the
water bucket as Felix pauses to talk to a group of children.
Felix notices a KID writing down his number 3 on a piece of
paper.
FELIX
Who is in the lead? Hicks or Lorz?
KID
What's their numbers?
Felix shrugs his shoulders not knowing.
KID
I only got numbers. 12 is leading.
Felix walks over to Corey, Len and Jan standing around a
wooden barrel. Corey screams at the WATER-BOY.
COREY
How can you be out of water?
WATER-BOY
The Elixir man figured only the
favorites would still be running.
COREY
I'm a favorite, and I've been
running on empty for miles.
Looking like a pressure cooker spewing its last steam Corey
turns to Felix.
COREY
Now what do we do?
Felix looks over at the supply vehicle and spies a crate of
peaches on the edge of the open-ended tailgate. He whispers
something to Len. Then like a Circus Ringleader Felix calls
out to gather the kids standing around.
FELIX
While my friends rest, who wants to
hear the Weight-Tossing Team's
favorite Brer Rabbit story about
the Floating Peaches?
Corey is stunned by Felix's question. He addressed Len.
COREY
The heat must've got to him too.
He's gone completely crazy.
LEN
Ya, crazy like a fox.
The kids enthusiastically cheer for a story, including the
Water-boy.
FELIX
Oh darn, how can I tell that one? I
need three peaches.
WATER-BOY
I got peaches.
The Water-boy sets aside a telescope, and opens the peach
crate and hands Felix the peaches. Felix starts juggling the
peaches to distract the Water-boy as Len and Jan step in
front of the crate so nobody can see what they are up to.
FELIX
Let me think, how did that story
go?
Felix drops a peach on the dusty road. The Water-boy reaches
down to retrieve the peach.
WATER-BOY
I'll get it.
FELIX
No bother. I am sure your boss
will not eat a dirty peach. Just
hand me another one.
The Water-boy turns around and pushes Len and Jan aside to
get another peach out of the top of the crate. While the
boy's back is turned Felix kicks the fallen peach over to
Corey.
Felix accepts the new peach from the boy, and starts juggling
again. But this time he looses control of two peaches.
FELIX
Whoops. Can you hand me two more
so I can start the story?
The boy fetches two more peaches, and turns around just as
Felix kicks a peach to another runner.
WATER-BOY
I see what you're up to.
Angered by being made to look like a fool the boy shouts at
the driver.
WATER-BOY
Start her up.
The Water-boy pushes Len and Jan aside, not noticing Len
hiding the ripped off bottom slat of the peach crate behind
his back.
The driver cranks the belching vehicle to life and gets in as
the boy yells back at Felix.
WATER-BOY
Let's see how far you get drinking
my dust.
The rumbling of the car shakes the crate causing peaches to
roll out one-by-one leaving a trail of peaches as they drive
off down the hill.
Felix, Corey, Jan, Len and the other runners follow behind
picking up and eating the juicy peaches. Felix makes up his
own running rhyme.
FELIX
Jan and Len ran down the hill...to
fetch a trail of peaches.
EXT. CLAYTON ROAD CORNFIELD--MILE 13
The running quartet makes the turn from Ballas onto Clayton
road. Jan and Len stop and step into a muddy drainage ditch
to cool their bare feet.
A Farmer opening the ditch to irrigate his cornfield looks
over at the runners.
Felix stops for his friends and shouts out for Corey to keep
running, sounding like there is something wrong with his
tongue.
FELIX
Go on. I catch up with you later.
Len notices the lump in Felix's cheek and expresses concern
for his friend's slurred speech.
LEN
What's with your cheek? You got a
peach pit stuck?
Felix spits his "saliva stone" into the palm of his hand.
FELIX
A friend gave me his mo-jo stone to
suck on. It keeps my mouth wet.
The Farmer walks over to the runners carrying his hoe.
JAN
We do the same. Did you get it
from one of the Boer War villagers?
FELIX
A Rough Rider gave me his rock.
The FARMER interrupts.
FARMER
Hey rock head...
The Farmer uses the butt of the hoe to nudge Len out of the
ditch.
FARMER
You tell your boys here I don't
need their dirty stinky feet
fowling up my water. Before I give
them more than a poke in the butt.
Len steps out of the ditch to avoid a confrontation, but Jan
stands defiantly.
FARMER
You hard of hearing boy?
The Farmer WHISTLES into the chest high corn stalks...
A dog BARKS in the distance as the Farmer smirks at Felix.
FARMER
Paper says you're some kind of big
time dog trainer.
FELIX
I trained for the Marathon by
running with Teddy Roosevelt's
cocker spaniel.
LEN
We gotta get back to the race
Felix.
FARMER
Felix and Teddy, now there's a pair
of sissy names.
The insult to his friend pulls Jan out of the ditch. Len
puts out a hand to stop Jan from responding physically.
LEN
We need to run.
FARMER
Sure run away.
The approaching dog BARKS amplify the tension.
FARMER
Let's see how you handle a devil
dog.
The three runners react to the Farmer's warning as if he's a
race official calling the runners to take their mark. With
the next BARK they sprint down the road just as a fearsome
pit bulldog explodes from the cornfield.
The pit bull snaps at Felix's wingtip shoes. Jan pushes
Felix aside and GROWLS to bait the dog away from Felix.
LEN
Run Felix run!
Felix and Len surge forward as Jan detours off the road into
the cornfield with the pit bull hot on his heels. Len shouts
into the field with panic in his voice.
LEN
Jan!
JAN
Right here!
As the road reaches a crest Felix and Len can see the
scattering cornstalks mapping out Jan and the pit bull's
detour in the golden field. Felix and Len slow down from
their sprint as they catch up with Corey.
COREY
Where's your friend?
LEN
He's helping Felix teach an old dog
a new trick.
Corey lets the confusing comment slide as they reset their
running pace while listening to the dog BARKING. Felix
yells.
FELIX
Jan!
In the distance Jan responds.
JAN
Right here!
EXT. DENNY ROAD TURN--MILE 15
The three runners pass the 15 mile red flag hanging limp on
the pole. Up ahead they see what looks more like an army
mobile field hospital than a rest stop. Felix turns to Len.
FELIX
You not looking well. You should
rest.
LEN
I'm just worrying about what
happened to Jan.
FELIX
I am sure he is...
Len cries out into the cornfield like a grieving animal.
LEN
Jaaaan!
Suddenly Jan explodes out from the cornstalks onto the road.
JAN
Right heeere!
Jan tumbles to the ground and turns to look back in terror at
the bull dog lunging from the cornfield.
Felix spits his Mo-jo stone into his hand, and with the
accuracy of David against Goliath he throws the stone,
hitting the dog on its rump.
The bull dog YELPS, stops in its tracks, and then turns its
foaming fangs and GROWLS, set to attack Felix.
Felix picks up a stone from the road to show the dog he is
choosing to fight rather than run.
The dog instinctually recognizes Felix will not back down,
and turns to run back home.
Len and Felix notice Jan's legs bleeding from dog bites.
They help him stand and start guiding him to the encampment.
JAN
You're pretty good with a rock.
FELIX
That bully just needed a little
"poke in the butt".
JAN
I owe you one.
FELIX
You saved me first. But now I lost
my Mo-jo.
Jan reaches out his hand and flicks his fingers for Felix to
hand him the road stone he picked up for the second round of
attack.
Felix hands the quarter-size stone to Jan.
Jan wipes the stone across Felix's sweaty brow, and then
across Len's brow.
JAN
Sweat of our sweat.
He slides the wet stone down the side of his bloody leg.
JAN
Blood of our blood.
Jan hands the symbol of the new brotherhood to Felix.
JAN
The other stone was Mo-jo loaned to
you. Now you earned your own Mo
jo.
Felix accepts the symbol of his right-of-passage and puts it
in his mouth. With a smile he mumbles.
FELIX
Sweeter than a peach.
The sweat-n-blood brothers walk over to their fellow runners.
EXT. DENNY ROAD REST STATION--MOMENTS LATER
A half dozen bruised and battered bodies lie on the ground
under the only protective shade tree sheltering them from the
blazing sun. Two vehicles flank the bodies.
Beside one car, Lucas gives Hicks a massage on a fold-out
table, while at the other car a Nurse attends a runner.
Felix and Len help Jan limp over to the NURSE for treatment.
She looks up from her comatose patient and yells in
desperation.
NURSE
Can't you see this man is dying!
Hicks looks over from his table.
HICKS
That's Garcia. I'm surprised he
lasted this long.
NURSE
Somebody should stop this race
before you kill any more.
Hicks gets off his perch and proudly rests his hand on the
fender of his fancy support vehicle.
HICKS
I didn't invest in all this modern
equipment for anything short of
complete and total victory.
Hicks puts on a new pair of running shoes, and then calls
out.
HICKS
Water-boy!
The Water-boy appears from behind Hicks' vehicle.
HICKS
Fetch me some water. And give
whatever is left to this cute
Nurse.
WATER-BOY
We used the last of the water to
refill the radiator.
HICKS
Then break out the peaches.
The Water-boy glares at Felix.
WATER-BOY
Somebody stole the peaches.
Hicks directs his wrath at Lucas.
HICKS
Hand me the Elixir!
LUCAS
But you've never...
Before Lucas finishes Hicks grabs the bottle and takes a
swig.
HICKS
Wow! That's got a hell of a kick.
Hicks offers the half-bourbon concoction to Jan.
JAN
No thanks. I'd rather die of
thirst.
HICKS
Suit yourself. It's your funeral.
Hicks takes a larger hit of the Elixir and runs down the
hill.
Corey and Newton chase after him.
Jan puts his hand on Felix's shoulder.
JAN
You got us farther than I ever
imagined. But now you're finished
running with us. You must start
running for us.
LEN
And for Cuba.
FELIX
Only if you two promise me you'll
try to finish the Marathon.
JAN
We'll get there in time to watch
you receive the gold medal.
Felix pulls out the "surrender" towel and shakes out the dust
in Lucas' face, wipes his own sweaty face, and then tucks it
back into his belt. With the added spirit of his brothers in
feet Felix takes off like a rabbit.
As Felix easily passes Newton and Corey he spins around, runs
backwards and tips his beret.
COREY
Go Brer Rabbit!
Felix waves back to acknowledge their encouragement and spins
back to press his assault to overtake Hicks.
Corey's shout snaps Hicks head around just in time to see
Felix's grinning face passing him.
EXT. OLIVE ROAD TURN--MILE 17
Felix pauses to look down the mile long hill where Hicks,
Corey and Newton are just beginning the ascent. A few
hundred yards farther back Len and Jan have managed to keep
running.
With a commanding lead Felix walks over to the runner Sam
MELLOR, who sits on a bench between the Cola stand and a
portable Chinese tea vendor, sipping a bottle of Coca-Cola.
Mellor slides over to offer Felix a seat.
MELLOR
Care to join me?
FELIX
Who is leading?
MELLOR
I thought I was. But with this
heat and humidity, I've lost all
sense of what's going on. I'm done
for the day.
FELIX
But you won the Boston in 02.
MELLOR
It's just a race.
FELIX
The Olympic Marathon is not just
another race. And Phidippides was
not just another mailman.
MELLOR
Who?
FELIX
The ancient Greek who...
MELLOR
Nobody cares about history.
FELIX
You are wrong. People will talk
about what we did here today...a
hundred years from now.
Mellor picks up and offers Felix one of his many bottles of
Coke.
MELLOR
What they'll be talking about is an
ice cold Coke.
FELIX
Yayo warned me about the evil co
key-eeena they put in that.
The representative from Coke, SWEENEY, interjects.
SWEENEY
If you mean Cocaine, I assure you,
we use only enough to stimulate
your experience.
The young woman next to Sweeney opens a cold bottle, drinks
and smiles with a huckster's satisfaction.
SWEENEY
Do you think I would let my fiancee
Miss Monsanto drink something
harmful?
MONSANTO
It's so refreshing on a hot summer
day.
FELIX
I think I keep sucking on my rock.
Have you seen any other runners?
MONSANTO
We've been too busy selling to
watch the race.
Felix turns to ask what the British gentleman managing the
tea stand, Richard BLECHYNDEN, might know.
FELIX
What about you?
The Brit misunderstands Felix's question.
BLECHYNDEN
I can't give away my tea.
FELIX
May I try some?
Blechynden hands Felix a large mug of the tea.
Felix takes a quick mouthful, then spits it out.
BLECHYNDEN
Don't like the taste?
FELIX
Hot tea is hard to swallow on a day
like today.
Hicks' support vehicle pulls up and parks behind the Coke
stand. While Felix turns to see how close Hicks is,
Blechynden takes a few ice cubes from Sweeney's ice tub and
drops them in the mug of tea.
FELIX
I better get going.
Blechynden offers the mug again.
BLECHYNDEN
Try it now.
Felix cautiously sips the tea, smiles, and then gulps down
the rest.
FELIX
If you bring this, Icy Tea, to Cuba
you can make a fortune.
Felix holds out the mug for a refill.
Some of Sweeney's customers come over for the new drink.
Hicks arrives and Felix offers him some of the world's first
Iced-tea.
FELIX
Your countryman just brewed up new
magic drink.
Unwilling to accept anything from Felix, Hicks takes a bottle
of his Elixir from the supply vehicle and drinks. He slurs
his words, either from the exhaustion, or because he's
becoming a little drunk.
HICKS
I'll stick to my magic Elixir.
Hicks stumbles and sits down besides Mellor for a rest, takes
another swig of Elixir, and then laughs at Felix.
HICKS
Hop along little bunny. I'm going
to start celebrating my victory a
little early with my ol' running
buddy Mellor.
Seeing two more favorites out of contention, Felix takes off
with renewed confidence the race is his to win.
EXT. OLIVETTE APPLE ORCHARD--MILE 19
Felix runs alone beside an apple orchard. He looks back and
relaxes his pace now that there is no other runner even in
sight. He uses the towel to wipe his brow as he focuses on
the final five miles of stifling heat and humidity. At the
corner of the orchard Felix gazes through the mirage like
effect of the shimmering heat waves as Rough Riders feed
their horses green apples.
One of the Rough Riders waves for Felix to join them. It is
the Sergeant he met in Cuba.
FELIX
Sergeant, what are you doing here?
SERGEANT
I bet you never imagined I would be
laying out your path in this race.
FELIX
No, but I am glad to see a familiar
face.
SERGEANT
Then I hope you'll be pleased to
see her too.
FELIX
Who?
From behind an apple tree a delicate female arm appears
covered with a leafy patterned dress, and then out steps
Lilah.
FELIX
How did you get here?
LILAH
You brought me here with your
stories.
FELIX
Why are you here?
LILAH
Is that the way a Cuban gentleman
greets a Southern lady?
FELIX
Lady? After you stole all my money,
I have a better word for
you...traitor.
LILAH
I prefer...trainer.
FELIX
What!
LILAH
You should be thankful for what I
did for you.
FELIX
More like...did to me.
Lilah turns to the Sergeant.
LILAH
He enjoys changing the words he
puts in my mouth.
She continues with Felix.
LILAH
If not for me, would you have run
the 1200 miles up the Mississippi
in training for this moment? If
not for me, would you be so far out
front of your opponents? If not
for me, would your body be in such
great condition?
Felix's stomach GROWLS.
FELIX
If not for you, would I have this
stomach ache?
LILAH
Maybe you're just hungry.
Like Eve enticing Adam, Lilah offers Felix a green apple.
Felix cautiously accepts Lilah's apple. His stomach GROWLS.
LILAH
I'm not a snake. One bite won't
hurt.
Felix gobbles down the apple with a sour grimace on his face.
FELIX
These sure are juicy, but sour.
Lilah holds the next apple tightly by the stem so that Felix
must tug a bit to pick it from her hand.
LILAH
Slow down. I've got a whole
orchard to fill your craving.
Felix eats the second apple, and then a third. His stomach
GROWLS again.
LILAH
You should rest a moment before
jumping back into the race.
Her suggestion causes Felix's eyes to blink slowly in the
heat.
LILAH
Lie down on my skirt. I'll keep an
eye out for any runners.
Felix lies down in the lap of her green skirt covered with
flowers.
As he closes his eyes for a short nap her skirt turns into
soft grass surrounding the trunk of an apple tree, her arm
turns into a leafy branch plucked clean of its fruit, and the
Rough Riders' horses turn into tree trunks.
Hicks, Corey and Newton run past, not noticing the slumbering
Felix behind the tree lost in his delirium daydream.
Len pauses next to the tree to catch his breath and finds his
friend surrounded by a dozen unripe apple cores. Len shakes
Felix awake.
LEN
Wake up Felix!
FELIX
Where are they?
Felix looks around and realizes he fell victim to the heat.
LEN
They just passed you.
Felix's stomach GROWLS louder and Felix doubles over with
pain.
LEN
Are you all right?
FELIX
I just broke down for a moment. I
am ready to run again.
EXT. RAILROAD CROSSING--MILE 21
One of the Olympic Official vehicles sits on the side of the
road steaming from a broken radiator hose. The DRIVER gives
the bad news to Lorz and the Doctor.
DRIVER
She's done for the day.
DOCTOR
What'll we do now?
DRIVER
Wait for someone to realize we
must've broken down and send a
wagon to pick us up.
Lorz sits on the open door sill and puts on his running
shoes.
DOCTOR
What are you doing?
LORZ
My ride may be finished, but I'm
not.
DOCTOR
I'm sure another vehicle will come
soon.
LORZ
Before we die of heat stroke?
DOCTOR
You're in no condition to...
LORZ
I'm fully refreshed from the ride.
I'm an athlete Doc. I'll handle
this heat better if I keep moving.
Lorz runs in place to show the Doctor he no longer has
cramps.
DOCTOR
This is no time to be joking
around.
LORZ
You're right. I left my regular
cloths at the Olympic Stadium. So
I'll just walk back to retrieve
them.
The doctor gives up on trying to stop Lorz's determination.
DOCTOR
If you see any officials will you
be sure and tell them what happened
to us?
Lorz starts laughing hysterically.
DOCTOR
I'm still not sure you're all
right.
LORZ
Don't worry about me.
Lorz puts his hand on the fender of the car.
LORZ
I was just laughing at this
technological marvel that couldn't
even finish the Marathon. I bet
they'll get a big laugh at the
stadium after I tell the full
story.
Lorz walks down the road. He looks back over his shoulder and
waves at the Doctor and Driver.
They wave back and then walk around to the shady side of the
car and sit down out of sight.
Lorz turns the corner onto Brentwood and looks back again to
make sure the Doctor and Driver cannot see him. He pumps his
legs quickly to make sure his muscles are warmed-up, and then
he starts jogging.
EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS--MILE 20
An official standing at the 20 mile red flag jots down the
order of runners as they pass; Newton, Corey, and Hicks. All
three are struggling to finish the final five miles.
The official glances up from his scoring pad to see Felix
running at full stride. The official tips his hat back on
his head and puts his hands on his hips amazed to see a
runner doing so well at this mark.
Elizabeth Metcalf takes a picture to capture this moment in
history.
EXT. MT. OLIVE CEMETERY--MILE 21
As Felix passes the running pair of Newton and Corey, his
stomach GROWLS. Felix flinches to the returned stomach ache.
Felix passes Hicks, who looks just as sickly himself. A
local gravedigger stands over a freshly dug pit and beckons
towards the hole as an invitation to both runners.
The cemetery marks the beginning of the final hill. Felix's
stomach GROWLS, and Felix spits out an undigested chunk of
apple. Felix starts cheering himself on.
FELIX
One last hill, one last hill.
EXT. SUMMIT OF LAST MARATHON HILL--MILE 23
Felix spits up another apple chunk. He changes his chant.
FELIX
No more apples, no more apples.
He reaches the summit and gets his first view of his final
destination, the Olympic Stadium, glimmering in the sunlight
just a little more than a mile away.
His body relaxes after the strain of the final grueling hill
producing a full spew of vomit. He sits down to let his
stomach settle down before his run to glory.
Hick's training vehicle arrives and parks next to Felix.
The Water-boy fetches the brass telescope, gets up on the
driver's seat to check out Hick's progress back down the
road. He calls down to Lucas.
WATER-BOY
He's almost here. Get the table
ready.
Lucas preps the massage table just as Hicks staggers to the
summit. Hicks flops onto the table and looks up to the Water
boy, who peers back down the hill to check on Corey and
Newton.
HICKS
How far am I ahead?
WATER-BOY
They're just starting the hill.
Hicks rolls over and instructs Lucas on what to do.
HICKS
I'm still far enough in first
place.
Lucas points over at Felix vomiting.
LUCAS
What about him?
HICKS
He's done for. Nobody can run
spewing his guts.
As if to make Hicks' point Felix vomits again.
HICKS
Massage me with the ointment.
Lucas hesitates and gives Hicks a concerned look.
LUCAS
But there's already too much
strychnine in your body from the
elixir.
HICKS
You idiot. I sweat that off miles
ago. Just do it.
Hicks lies down to let Lucas apply the ointment made of
strychnine-sulfate mixed with egg whites, transforming Hicks'
pale skin into an even more ghostly deathlike appearance.
The Water-boy shouts down at Hicks.
WATER-BOY
They're half way here!
Hicks gets off the table and looks over at Felix with his
head still bent forward between his legs staring into the
growing pool of vomit. Hicks takes a swig of the Elixir and
heads off down Forsyth Boulevard to the Olympic Stadium.
Felix looks up at the Water-boy.
FELIX
Is he gone?
WATER-BOY
Yup. Time to get your comeuppance
Brer Rabbit.
Felix wipes his mouth with the "surrender" towel.
FELIX
I show Hicks my guts.
An official vehicle pulls up and the Doctor looks at Felix.
DOCTOR
Do you need help?
Felix forces a smile and points down the hill at Hicks.
FELIX
No. But he will.
The Water-boy lifts his telescope to check Hicks' progress.
He sees the fans lining the road cheering. Then he scans
ahead toward the Stadium.
WATER-BOY
No! It can't be!
His exclamation draws ever one's attention. The Water-boy
hops down off the seat and hands the telescope to Felix.
WATER-BOY
See for yourself!
Felix fidgets to look through the telescope. He finally sees
the unexpected twist of fate.
The Water-boy explains what Felix is seeing to Lucas.
WATER-BOY
Lorz is entering the Stadium!
LUCAS
We've got to tell Hicks before he
kills himself.
Everyone in Hicks' crew looks around and shakes their heads.
Nobody wants to be the bearer of the bad news.
WATER-BOY
Who's going to tell him? Not me!
LUCAS
We better get to the end before he
does.
Hicks' crew quickly packs up their gear.
Felix drops the telescope and stares at the Stadium that now
looks like the open grave of the cemetery. He runs down the
hill in a daze grimacing with pain. Felix hears Yayo's voice
reminding him of what could happen.
YAYO (V.O.)
Expect the unexpected.
Felix passes Hicks.
OLYMPIC STADIUM
The weight-tossing team looks at
the large Marathon clock indicating
the elapsed time.
FLANAGAN
The old record is three hours.
They're already a half hour late.
Cheering from outside the stadium turns the teams' attention
to the arched entrance.
SHERIDAN
That's probably Felix now.
Dozens of spectators running in front of the Marathon
champion block the team's view, until the winner passes.
CHADWICK
Lorz!?
The team stands stunned and watches Lorz veer off the track
over to the piles of runner's clothes.
Lorz reaches down to pick up his street cloths. A SPECTATOR
puts his hand on the bundle of clothes.
SPECTATOR
I'll watch your stuff mister.
You've got a race to win.
Before Lorz can correct the man, more spectators drag him
back onto the track.
Lorz gets caught up in the cheers of the crowd and jogs the
final lap around the field waving to his admirers.
He crosses the finish line and is swept away by officials
toward the Metcalf sisters, dozens of other photographers,
and the President's daughter, Alice Roosevelt, waiting to
pose for the victor's photograph.
Lorz tries shouting at one of the officials but the cheering
crowd drowns out his efforts.
While everyone's attention is focused on Lorz and the
President's daughter, Hicks stumbles through the archway. He
falls. Lucas and the Water-boy help Hicks back to his feet.
Hicks manages a few more steps and falls again. His helpers
lift him up and start carrying him around the track barely
conscious of what is happening.
Nobody sees or attempts to stop them from assisting Hicks
towards the finishing line.
Next through the Olympic archway an official vehicle that
picked up the Doctor pulls onto the infield and stops.
The Doctor stands up in his seat and sees ALICE placing the
laurel wreath symbol of an Olympic champion on Lorz's head.
The stadium goes silent for the moment.
ALICE
On behalf of my father the
President, I, Alice Roosevelt, am
proud to crown you, Fred Lorz,
Marathon Champion of the 1904 St.
Louis Olympic Games.
Only the photographer's flash powder disturbs the silence.
DOCTOR
Stop! He's cheating!
Lucas and the Water-boy, with the guilty expressions of being
caught, drop Hicks ten yards from the finishing line and look
over at the Doctor. Then they see what the crowd sees.
The Doctor is pointing at Lorz and Alice.
Lorz sheepishly smiles at Alice.
LORZ
It was just a joke.
The weight-tossing team looks at Lorz and then over at Hicks.
FLANAGAN
Where's Felix?
SHERIDAN
I'll go see.
Sheridan runs out the Olympic archway.
EXT. OLYMPIC STADIUM ENTRANCE
Sheridan shoves his way through the spectators jamming the
road and searches for Felix.
SHERIDAN
Felix! Felix!
A couple hundred yards down the road he sees a crowd of
mailmen circled around someone lying on the ground.
Sheridan runs up to and pushes the mailmen aside to see the
fallen runner is Felix convulsing like he's crying. He
kneels down and puts a hand on Felix's convulsing body.
Sheridan and Felix do not see Corey run past.
SHERIDAN
Stop crying Felix.
Felix turns his face to Sheridan revealing dry eyes and his
mouth covered with dry vomit.
Sounding like the little boy who thought he wasn't strong
enough to carry the mail Felix lapses back into speaking
Spanish.
FELIX
Ya no puedo mas Yayo.
Sheridan realizes the crying is actually "dry heaves". He
takes the "surrender" towel and wipes Felix's face.
SHERIDAN
You've got to get up.
Felix coughs and struggles to speak.
FELIX
Why? The race is over. Lorz won.
SHERIDAN
No he didn't. He cheated.
Felix closes his eyes to absorb what Sheridan said. Then
opens his eyes not yet convinced that what Sheridan is saying
is enough to continue the race.
FELIX
What about Hicks?
SHERIDAN
I don't know. You can still win
the gold.
Sheridan's statement rekindles hope in Felix's eyes.
Felix makes an effort to get up. But he falls.
SHERIDAN
Remember Phidippides!
Felix manages to roll himself over and get on hands and knees
looking like a baby trying to take its first steps. Felix
stares face-to-face with the kneeling Sheridan and reminds
his friend.
FELIX
He died in the end.
SHERIDAN
It's not the end. And you're not
dead.
Sheridan holds out his hand to assist Felix.
SHERIDAN
Let me help you up.
FELIX
Do not touch me! I'll be
disqualified.
Felix manages to stand and takes his first unsteady steps.
INT. OLYMPIC STADIUM--FINISH LINE
Lucas bends over and yells at Hicks.
LUCAS
Get up! Lorz cheated!
Hicks does not respond.
What actually happened next looks like one of Felix's stunts
to raise money in Havana.
Lucas looks over at the crowd of Olympic officials
admonishing Lorz for being a fraud, and Alice Roosevelt rips
the laurel wreath off Lorz's head.
Lucas grabs the Water-boy's arm to get his attention.
LUCAS
Hicks is too punch drunk to get up.
Let's take the risk and carry him.
Looking around to see if any Officials are watching the two
hurriedly lift Hicks not noticing he is facing backwards. In
an attempt to make it look like Hicks is running, Lucas
shouts into Hicks ear.
LUCAS
Move your feet!
Being carried by his trainers with his feet inches above the
ground, Hicks starts peddling his feet and comically appears
to be running backwards.
Lucas and the Water-boy carry Hicks across the finish line
and drop him. Lucas yells over at the crowd around Lorz.
LUCAS
Over here! Someone help him!
Olympic officials, the Doctor and Alice rush over to what
they assume is the actual winner of the Marathon.
The Doctor immediately recognizes Hick's near death condition
and shouts at the trainers.
DOCTOR
Carry him off the track.
Lucas, the Water-boy and others carry Hicks back across the
finish line and onto the grass infield.
EXT. OLYMPIC STADIUM--ARCHWAY ENTRANCE
Felix staggers through the archway and bends over with his
hands on his knees and dry heaves again.
While Felix retches he does not notice Newton run past him.
Felix gathers his remaining strength and stands up to see
Lorz being escorted off the field by the police.
Then he looks over at a young woman kneeling next to Hicks
before the finish line.
FINISH LINE
Alice uses the laurel wreath as a
pointer to direct an Official's
attention to the waiting
photographers.
ALICE
This is ridiculous! I won't pose
with a dead man.
One of the Officials takes charge and yells at Lucas and the
Water-boy to help their runner.
OFFICIAL
You two pick him up.
Felix watches the trainers carry Hicks across the finish
line.
The Official angrily gestures at the trainers to keep
carrying Hicks further away from the track.
FELIX
Disqualified.
Sheridan fights his way through the crowd and dashes up to
Felix.
SHERIDAN
Why are you standing here?
Felix turns and smiles at his friend not seeing what is
taking place behind him at the finish line.
FELIX
I did it.
FINISH LINE
Hicks is lifted onto the Victory
podium.
Corey crosses the finish line.
Newton is halfway around his final lap.
Felix and Sheridan shake hands, and then turn back to be
stunned by the tragic outcome of Felix stopping to eat the
apples. The two friends watch Newton cross the finish line
and be whisked over to the podium for a hurried medal
ceremony.
FELIX
Where did they come from?
SHERIDAN
Maybe while you spewing your guts.
As if to reiterate Sheridan's theory Felix collapses and
spews his last apple bit.
FELIX
My race is over.
SHERIDAN
Was your whole journey just about
the gold?
FELIX
I could'a been the best.
Sheridan sees other runners on their final approach.
SHERIDAN
What would Yayo say to you now?
FELIX
The best may not finish first...but
he always finishes.
Felix stands up taller than his true height, adjusts his
beret and begins his final lap.
What happens next is the reason why Olympic Games and
historic events like the original Marathon become the sacred
grounds for magical moments.
Felix runs past the local mailmen who begin a chant.
MAILMEN
Felix, Felix...Felix, Felix.
As Felix slowly jogs around the track hundreds of spectators
in the stands echo and amplify the chant.
SPECTATORS
Felix...Felix...
The stadium erupts with the loudest reported ovation given to
an athlete during the 1904 Olympics Games.
SPECTATORS
Felix...Felix...Felix
Half way around the track Felix's face glows with a smile and
tears.
The Weight-tossing Team stands on the edge of the track
cheering Felix on. Flanagan reaches out and snatches Felix's
beret. He runs over to the stands and passes the hat for
donations.
A newspaper man feverishly takes down notes while watching
other Olympic athletes take off their skimmer hats and join
Flanagan in collecting donations.
The spectators respond with a religious fervor as if they're
attending an evangelist's tent sermon on an Olympian mount.
Felix crosses the finish line in fourth place.
He turns around and waits to congratulate Len and Jan for
finishing.
Sheridan and the Weight-tossing Team rush to Felix.
Flanagan hands Felix the beret now stuffed with money.
FLANAGAN
First Class...Felix...First Class.
The other Olympic athletes return with dozens of skimmers and
all types of spectators' hats and bonnets filled with more
money than Felix has ever seen.
Alice Roosevelt pushes her way through the throng of new
Felix fans. She steps up to Felix with the laurel wreath for
the true Olympic champion.
ALICE
I, Alice Roosevelt, on behalf of my
father the President crown you...
Alice hesitates and whispers to Sheridan.
ALICE
What do we call fourth place?
Sheridan whispers a suggestion in her ear.
ALICE
The Spirit of the St. Louis
Olympics.
Felix digs through the money in his beret and hands her the
letter.
FELIX
I, Felix Carvajal, on behalf of a
hero's son, deliver this letter for
your father the President.
Felix is barely able to finish his mission to deliver the
boy's letter as the spectators acknowledge their favorite
champion with an even louder thunderously deafening chant
that echoes through the Olympic Stadium.
SPECTATORS
FELIX...FELIX...FELIX...FELIX!
Felix shouts at Sheridan.
FELIX
Why are they cheering me?
Sheridan points at Hicks being carried off the podium, and
then at Corey and Hicks, wearing their silver and bronze
medals, and walking over to join in the final celebration of
the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games.
SHERIDAN
Those three only won medals...You
won our hearts.
The CHANT continues to echo throughout the stadium.
EXT. OLYMPIC STADIUM--2004--EPILOGUE
The CHANT of "Felix...Felix" fades, and the 1904 Olympic
stadium becomes the present day Washington University stadium
which looks exactly as it did one-hundred years ago. The
packed stands dissolve from the plain clothed spectators of
1904 to the brightly attired supporters of The United States
Olympic Team's national fund-raising tour of American host
cities.
On the field the racial diversity of our modern team is
capped by the unity of their official Olympic uniform beret.
A Cuban-American, Navajo Indian, and Afro-Americans run with
the local young boys and girls who dream of their moment of
glory in some future Olympics.
Over this image of how the Olympics has become a worldwide
event, the final chapters of the 1904 Marathoners are
revealed on the stadium electronic billboard.
Fred Lorz was immediately banned from any future amateur
competition. The ban was lifted a year later allowing him to
defeat Corey and Newton and win the 1905 Boston Marathon.
Thomas Hicks took four days to recover from his near death
drug induced victory. His elixir and massage creams were the
first drugs to be banned from all future Olympics.
Martin Sheridan became one of the great athletes of his time
winning nine Olympic medals (five gold).
Len Taunyan and Jan Mashiani returned to teach what they
learned at the World's Fair and Olympic Games about
overcoming the restriction of racism to children throughout
South Africa, including a young boy named Nelson Mandela.
Felix Carvajal traveled First Class all the way home to Cuba.
He delivered mail, played dominos, and drank Iced-tea with
Yayo. And like his mailman hero Phidippides, Felix only ran
one Marathon.
FADE OUT:
THE END