American History X Page #6

SWEENEY:

What's it gonna be, Dan?

DANNY:

What's what going to be?

SWEENEY:

This petty sh*t you're pullin'.

DANNY:

Well...I don't know.

SWEENEY:

You said it, all right. Sit down.

Danny does what he's told. Sweeney stares at the

teenager and leans back in his chair.

SWEENEY:

Are you okay?

DANNY:

Yeah.

SWEENEY:

Any time you wanna talk, Dan--

DANNY:

Okay.

SWEENEY:

How's Derek?

DANNY:

Fine.

SWEENEY:

Adjusting okay?

DANNY:

Yeah.

SWEENEY:

He was a student of mine. Honors

English. He was a great student...

like you...but he hung out with

scumbags. Also like you. That's why

he ended up in the pen, hunh?

No answer. Sweeney holds up Danny's paper.

SWEENEY:

Great writing. I can't correct it

though. It wreaks too much of sh*t.

DANNY:

Come on, man! I followed directions

and wrote an "A" paper. It's got

nothing to do with Derek.

SWEENEY:

Everything you do now has something to

do with Derek. Who told you to do

this?

DANNY:

Let us get on with our lives, man!

SWEENEY:

Hey, I'm not worried about Derek--he

can take care of himself. I'm worried

about his little brother.

(softly)

Mein Kampf, Dan? I should expel you!

DANNY:

Do it. What? You don't think I could

handle it?

SWEENEY:

(smiling in disbelief)

The street would kill you, Danny.

You're not tough. The second a

brother pulls a gun on your ass you'll

be holierin' for Doris.

(pondering to himself)

So here's the drill. Take it or leave

it cause I'm sick of babysitting. I'm

your history teacher from here on out.

We're gonna deal with sh*t happening

right now. Call it American

History...X. I see your ass once a

day. Any more, any less, and you're a

memory at Venice High. Clear?

DANNY:

It took me a week to read Mein Kampf.

Come on, Sweeney.

SWEENEY:

My name is Dr. Sweeney. And I want a

another paper on my desk tomorrow.

DANNY:

What am I doing it on then?

SWEENEY:

It'S not a "what", it's a "who."

(after a beat)

Derek.

SMASH TO:

EXT. VENICE SHORELINE - LATE AFTERNOON

A series of intercuts shows activity in and around the

pier. A HOMELESS LATINO MAN searches a trash dumpster.

OPEN VENDORS sell tie-dye and water bong paraphernalia.

A FAT WOMAN walks past eating a hot dog. BLACK GANG

MEMBERS play basketball in their low-rider shorts and

boxers.

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