January 28th 1999

FLIGHT #180. New York City (JFK) - Paris, Charles de Gaulle (CDG.) Departure: Thursday 13May. 16H25 - Arrival: Friday 14May. 05H40." ——————————————————————————————— BARBARA: Alex...

Alex Browning as he turns toward the bedroom door. Alex is an average kid; handsome. A high school "everyman." One the wall amongst Yankee and Knicks posters, hangs a pennant; "Mt. Abraham High School, New York. The Fighting Colonials!" Alex's mother, BARBARA, 45, walks in, excited and a bit anxious.

BARABRA (Cont'd): Tod and Georges dad just called, he's picking you up at 10 in the morning. Bus leaves the high school for JFK at noon.

Barbara moves towards the suitcase to help him pack. Alex's father, "KEN BROWNING, 48 years old appears, leaning against the door threshold, smiling envoiusly at his son.

KEN: My suitcase workn'out for ya

Alex nods and buckles it. Barbara reaches in to tear off an airline baggage I.D. ticket attached from the previous flight.

ALEX: Whoa! Whoa! Mom, you gotta leave that on. It's like... the tag made the last flight without crashin' or anything, right? So, it should stay on, or with,the bag for good luck.

BARBARA: Where would you get a nutball idea like that?

EXTREAMLY CLOSE - THE AIRLINE BAGGAGE MARKER is torn away from the suitcase handle. As Barbara picks up the suitcase to place it on the floor... a dozon old baggage I.D. tickets spill from the outer compartment. She looks at Ken, as if "you?" The guilty party shrugs.

KEN: I'm still here.

Barbara shakes her head as Alex smiles at his dad.

KEN (Cont'd): Seventeen and on the loose. Ten days in Paris. In the springtime! Live it up, Alex...

KEN (Cont'd): Got your whole life ahead of you.

The storm has ceased. The room is QUIET.

until Alex is in the f.g. and the room is visible behind him. On the rear wall, the Fighting Colonials pennant begins to flutter slightly, as if affected by the moving breeze. The path, of which is continues toward the bed, rustling the sheets, subtly blowing Alex's hair and continuing OVER

Even in his sleep, Alex shivers from the passing cold. His eyes open surprised to be suddenly awakened. He considers for a beat, then looks toward...

ALEX: puzzled, checks...

ALEX: perplexed, rolls over toward his digital clock. It's 1:00 a.m., however...

the middle digit bar in the first zero faintly flickers so this time appears to read... 1:80.

AIRPORT P.A. (V.O.): Attention airline travelers...

FLIGHT 180 departs 4:25. Gate 39.

AIRPORT P.A. (V.O.): This airport does not support solicitors...

school KIDS, and four TEACHERS and several PARENTS are gathered inside the International terminal at J.F.K. Several of the students wear Fighting Colonial leterman's jackets or hats and shirts displaying "Mt. Abraham High, New York."

AIRPORT P.A. (V.O.) (CONT'D): You are not required to give money to solicitors.

Alex gathers his bags, as does his best friend TOD WAGGNER and his older brother GEORGE WAGGNER, standing before their father, JERRY WAGGNER. For Alex, any psychic tension from the night before seems forgotten in the fun and excitement of the trip.*

MR. WAGGNER: Alright, you guys got everything?

TOD: Yeah, we're all set Dad.

MR. MURNAU, the French teacher (any further description necessary?) and leader of the class trip waves his arm.

MR. MURNAU: Les estudients, allons en France!

MR. WAGGNER: Does that mean "go?"

Tod shrugs, "I guess." *as he moves to his father and gives him a warm hug goodbye. Mr. Waggner then gives his older son a hug.

AIRPORT P.A. (V.O.: Atencion senores pasajeros. No es necesario contribuir...

MR. WAGGNER: I'll miss you guys.

Tod and George gives a wave, as does Alex, who is slapped on the back by Mr. Waggner.

MR. WAGGNER: Take care of those two, Alex.

ALEX: I will. Don't worry.

The group begins down the airport toward the check-in counter. In the f.g., before the boys, strides a girl, CLEAR RIVERS, 17, reading the TROPIC OF CANCER. The loner in the group, Clear wears dark colors against the insecerity of her sex gender appeal.