 |
|
gc #33510 7
16 CONTINUED 16
PROFESSOR
We'll move now into the Behavioral
Sciences.
(again the glasses go
off, then on; looking
up, studies class)
As you know, ladies and gentlemen,
this is perhaps the most integral
and, indeed, the most important
facet of the University curriculum.
Your capacity to function in society
and to contribute are of the essence.
Now, Mr. Clinton -- in the area of
social interrelationships, a hypo-
thetical case. Look to your left,
please. The young man in the blue
blazer.
17 FAVORING CLINTON 17
who looks toward another student across the aisle: Barnes, a
black student.
|
 |
PROFESSOR
The hypothesis as follows. Mr.
Barnes is in competition with you
for an extremely important pro-
fessional position. Mr. Barnes,
you are aware of the competition.
You are mutually aware of one
another as personalities. Now, Mr.
Clinton, first of all, describe Mr.
Barnes for me.
CLINTON
About five foot eleven. Approxi-
mately one hundred and eighty pounds.
PROFESSOR
His age?
CLINTON
(shrugs)
Maybe twenty...twenty-one.
PROFESSOR
Look at him now...is there any other
salient feature which you might
consider relevant?
|
|
CLINTON
(in a flat voice)
He's black.
CONTINUED
|
|
gc #33510 8
17 CONTINUED 17
PROFESSOR
So, being black, he may pose a
special problem.
(as Clinton nods)
What kind of special problem might
you anticipate?
CLINTON
Pushy...aggressive.
PROFESSOR
Anything else?
CLINTON
Possibly inferior.
(looks toward Barnes)
Being black, he might be inferior.
PROFESSOR
So we have Mr. Barnes over there as
an irritant...a possible block to
your ambitions...an inferior man
trying to usurp your superiority.
(a beat)
What would you do to a man like
that, Mr. Clinton?
CLINTON
On the primary emotional level --
PROFESSOR
That's all I want from you now -- a
reaction on the primary emotional
level.
CLINTON
(tonelessly)
I'd slap him.
PROFESSOR
(nods)
Quite correct. You'd slap him.
(looks toward Barnes)
Do so, Mr. Clionton.
CLINTON
Yes, sir.
18 FULL SHOT - THE SCENE 18
Clinton turns, moves down the row of seats to the aisle,
reaches Barnes, looks down at him.
CONTINUED
|
|
gc #33510 9
18 CONTINUED
PROFESSOR
Rise, if you will, Mr. Barnes.
Barnes rises, faces Clinton who hauls off with an open-palmed
blow that comes up from the floor. It almost knocks Barnes
off his feet. He recovers, stands there, his face a flat mask
revealing nothing.
|
|
PROFESSOR
All right, Mr. Barnes. Describe
the gentleman who just slapped you.
BARNES
Five-foot-nine. One hundred and
fifty pounds. Twenty-one years of
age. Blonde hair.
PROFESSOR
Complexion.
BARNES
White.
PROFESSOR
A Caucasian.
BARNES
(nods)
A Caucasian.
PROFESSOR
Primary emotional level again,
please -- a reaction.
BARNES
Bigoted. Aggressive. Pre-set
prejudices. Illogical attitudes.
PROFESSOR
(nods)
And your response to him?
BARNES
Slap him back.
PROFESSOR
Do so, if you will.
Barnes turns and hits Clinton. The blow is delivered with
such stunning force that Clinton is knocked off his feet and
tumbles down at least five steps. He slowly gets to his feet,
goes back up the steps to stand opposite Barnes. Throughout
all this, the entire class onlooks with no visible reaction
to the proceedings.
CONTINUED
|
|
 |