The Long Night

[Lee]

Hernandez bends down, still holding his shotgun as he checks
Wilkins for any signs of life. There are none. The SWAT deputys
move in cautiously and cover the body with high powered
rifles. They check for signs of life and likewise find none.

WILLIAMS
Dead.

GOLDBERG
Well, it isn't the way we wanted it to end, but it is now over.

GABRIEL
Yes, but Jo and Blair are now wounded, maybe seriously.

JO
I'm alright. I got one in the right shoulder, but I think it went
through. Blair's the one you need to check, she's pretty bad.

Hernandez goes to Blair, who has collapsed in shock on the
front door patio. It is obvious that she is in shock and pain.

BLAIR
I shouldn't have tried to get the gun away from him...

GABRIEL
Shhh, it is okay now. It is all over and you are going to get
medical help and the doctors will fix everything.

BLAIR
Who are you?

GABRIEL
Hernandez, Officer Hernandez. But you can call me Gabriel.

BLAIR
That is a wonderful name. That is an angelic name.

GABRIEL
Yes it is, indeed.

EDNA
Oh, my!...

Mrs. Garrett runs out the front door and over to where Hernandez
is watching Blair. Mrs. Garrett can barely speak due to shock.

EDNA
Blair...

BLAIR
Mrs. Garrett... I knew you would be there for me.

EDNA
I was upstairs sleeping when I heard four gunshots go
off. I raced downstairs and saw both doors wide open.

BLAIR
I heard some noises downstairs as I was trying to sleep. There
was something inside that told me get the gun out, that
this was an emergency situation. I came downstairs, saw this
guy go outside to talk to Jo. I then confronted him and it all
exploded after that. Stupid Blair Warner. Sorry you had to find
out from me about the gun. Jo bought it for safety, made me
promise to keep it a secret. Don't be angry with her, Mrs. Garrett.

EDNA
I won't be angry with her, Blair. I'll just show her my love.

[Lee]

At that moment an ambulance pulls up into the courtyard around
the cafeteria building. Paramedics get out and wheel a stretcher
towards Blair as Mrs. Garrett joins Jo, Hernandez, and Captain
Davis at the front doors of the cafeteria. Mrs. Garrett hugs Jo.

EDNA
Jo... Thank god you're alright.

JO
I love you, Mrs. Garrett.

EDNA
Jo, is it true you brought a gun onto Eastland property?

JO
I guess Blair told you. I thought I needed it for protection, but
then Gabriel showed me that police officers are our real defense.

EDNA
I won't waste my energy being angry at you, I'm just glad this
night of terror is at an end and all you girls are safe.

GABRIEL
Natalie and Tootie were tied up in the student lounge and
Woodward was cuffed behind her back with her own handcuffs.

CAPT. DAVIS
The SWAT team is freeing them now as we speak. Blair, however,
is in serious condition. Jo, I think you also need to go to the
hospital so that your shoulder wound can be checked on.

JO
Yea, I'll do that. Gabriel, I want to thank you for the night I had
patrolling with you. You showed me that you and these police
officers really care for this city. You are an inspiration to everyone
you serve. That includes a future "Cop" named Jo Polniaczek.

The paramedics load Blair into the back of the ambulance and
drive away into the night as Jo, Mrs. Garrett, Hernandez, Davis,
and Nancy watch. When it is out of sight, Hernandez and Jo
climb into a patrol car and head to Peekskill Community Hospital.

It is 5:37 AM and the long night has come to an end.

JO
Thank the lord above us.

[Lee]

Three hours and 15 minutes later...


It is now 8:52 AM as Jo Polniaczek enters into the cafeteria
and sits down in the student lounge in her favorite couch
with Mrs. Garrett, Nancy, Natalie and Tootie siting across from her.

NATALIE
Well, what's the word on Blair?

JO
Luckily, the gunshot wound didn't do extensive internal damage,
all it did was tear a small segment of Blair's large intestine before
exiting. Fortunately, it didn't injure her spinal cord exiting.

EDNA
That is a relief.

JO
The doctor said surgery will be necessary to repair the torn
intestine, but it should be a low-risk surgery and the outlook
is good. In short-Blair is gonna be alright.

TOOTIE
I'm glad she's gonna be alright. I hate her stuck-up nature, but
I don't want to miss having her as a friend.

JO
I've gotta admit, I love Blair. Just don't tell her I said so.

NATALIE
Jo, you have no idea what went on in here while you were out
there-Wilkins had me, Tootie and Officer Woodward at gunpoint
and he was gonna kill us as soon as you joined us. I thought I
really was gonna die. Thank god Blair intervened and saved us.

TOOTIE
Jo, how was your ride-along with Officer Hernandez?

JO
It was a life-changing experience like no other, Tootie. Gabriel
taught me to believe in myself and taught me that police officers
are our true defenders and friends. He is a very good man, Tootie.

EDNA
Well, I think now is the time for breakfast. Now, Jo, no arguments
from you-you need food after what you've been through.

JO
I'm not gonna argue with you, Mrs. Garrett-I'm starved and I'm in
the mood for pancakes, bacon and eggs! Bring 'em on!

EDNA
Jo, my friend, you've got yourself a deal!

Before long, our women are eating breakfast when Sue Ann
and Cindy arrive...

SUE ANN
Well, Cindy and I are back! We spent a few hours at the Holiday
Inn of Peekskill, but from what I heard, everything is going fine.

JO
Yea, except for the fact that Blair and I got shot.

SUE ANN
Oh, I'm sorry. Don't think I'm being inconsiderate.

JO
I don't. I'm sure not everybody has heard. I got one in my right
shoulder, but it went through and the doctor dressed it and put
a bandage around it. Blair took a hit to the stomach, but all it
did was tear a small part of her large intestine. Just low-risk
surgery and she should be out in about five days.

SUE ANN
I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the scene I made earlier-
I was just so angry that the police couldn't charge right in there.

NANCY
I told you that the police would do their job if you let them.

SUE ANN
Yes. I should have listened to you. If you find any of those
officers, tell them I don't hold anything against them.

NANCY
I'll be sure they know that, Sue Ann.

NATALIE
Did you and Cindy have any fun at the motel?

CINDY
Well, Sue Ann was too upset, but I watched some cartoons on TV.

SUE ANN
Well, all the girls are back in their dorms having breakfast, and
there is no school today-the headmaster felt everyone needed
a day off to get over what happened.

[Lee]

CINDY
We forgot to tell you the best part, Jo. A reporter from WABC in
New York wants to come down to Eastland to interview you for
a special segment of the ten o'clock news called "Profiles In
Courage"-about people who make a difference and save lives.

JO
I don't consider myself a hero, Cindy. I just did what I had to do
in a moment of extreme tension. Police officers do just the same.

CINDY
That's why they also want to interview Officer Hernandez and
that SWAT team-people in this area need heroes.

JO
I'm sure they would be united with me in saying that we don't
deserve medals of valor or honor, just citizens thanks.

CINDY
Jo, it's the opportunity of a lifetime! But, if you don't want your
moment in the sun, I can just call the reporter and tell him you're
not interested.

JO
Thanks just the same, Cindy. I prefer to stay away from the
spotlight. I'm just glad the whole thing ended the way it did.

SUE ANN
Well, we have to get back to Dorm A. Miss Thompson gets all
paranoid when we're away from the dorm units.

NANCY
When I get finished with this breakfast, I'll be joining you two.

SUE ANN
Okay. Bye everyone!

Sue Ann and Cindy leave to go back to their dorm unit as
breakfast is beginning to wind down.

NATALIE
I wonder when we'll be able to see Blair.

JO
Well, the doctor said the surgery would probably be over with
around 1 PM. Visiting hours go until 12 midnight.

TOOTIE
Could we go visit her about eight o'clock?

JO
I think we probably could, I would have to check.

NANCY
Well, I sadly have to decline. Got a date at The Hamburger Inn
with Roger. Tell Blair no hard feelings between me and her.

JO
I'll be sure to tell her you forgive her for the Roger incident,
especially since it was all Tootie's fault.

TOOTIE
Hey, I said I was sorry a month ago. I even licked half of those
envelopes for you guys, so get off my back, okay?

JO
Hey, I didn't mean to get you upset, just stating the facts.

TOOTIE
Well, I guess the old Jo is back-loud-mouthed and kind of rude.

NATALIE
And we wouldn't want it any other way.

JO
Aww... I feel a Billy Joel song coming on... knock it off.

Everyone at the breakfast table has a long laugh as they
cherish each others friendship.

[Lee]

That night at about 9:30 PM, Jo, Natalie, Tootie and Mrs. Garrett
come in to room 85 at the Peekskill Community Hospital...

JO
How ya doing, Blair?

BLAIR
Hey... I'm doing okay. The doctor fixed me up and said I'd be out
in about five days. They killed Wilkins, didn't they?

JO
Yep, both Wilkins brothers, Carl and Roger. Carl got it when he
tried to get me and Gabriel in a city park.

BLAIR
Well, as far as I am concerned, the two of them can rot in hell.

JO
I'm just glad that you're alright and that life can go on.

TOOTIE
Without you, the four musketeers would be over.

JO
Well, we would make a mighty fine quartet in heaven.

NATALIE
And I hear they serve Blintzes with Sour Cream everyday!

BLAIR
Who knows, maybe they have the worlds best Bloomingdales
up there and there will be an eternal half-price off sell!

TOOTIE
Maybe there'll be peanut butter sandwiches all the time!

JO
And maybe pizza and philly cheese steaks on the side, delivered
by a grease-haired angel on a kawasaki!

EDNA
Well, girls, it's time to go for the night. Blair needs her rest.

BLAIR
Bye, girls.

ALL
Bye, we'll see you, etc.

[Lee]

Thursday, January 22, 1981
In the morning at 7 AM, classes are officially back in session at
Eastland as a long line of students assemble for first breakfast,
served from 7-8 AM. Breakfast this morning is Belgian Waffles
with assorted toppings and Eggs Benedict on English Muffins.

Jo, Natalie and Tootie are doing their required labor for Eastland
as they serve students breakfast. With Blair still in the hospital,
Alabamian Cindy Webster deputizes for her as the fourth server.

In the line waiting for breakfast are school snob seniors Margo
Jones and Boots St. Clair. Margo is red-haired and Boots raven-
haired, but both have one thing in mind:making life miserable
for students who dislike them, especially Blair Warner and Jo
Polniaczek.

MARGO
Well, I heard poor little Blair is Peekskill Community. What's wrong
now-did she catch cold from the draft that we left behind?

BOOTS
I would ask her to clean and polish my loafers, but she would
probably die from the smell. She always had a delicate nose!

JO(O.C.)
I heard that, and don't think I won't come back there if the two
of you wolves keep it up!

MARGO
(mock fear)Oh, I'm absolutely terrified!

BOOTS
My white pantyhose are trembling with fear!(both laugh)

From behind the lunch counter, Jo Polniaczek steps forward and
comes face to face with the two snobs, brandishing her right fist.

JO
I don't allow anyone in this school or out there to say anything
bad about Blair or any of my friends. You two have a choice-
either shut up and get your breakfast or breakfast and two fists
will be delivered to you-understand?

Jones and St. Clair go silent and Jo leaves them to join the other
three girls at the serving booth.

NATALIE
Do you think they'll start up again?

JO
Well, Nat, if they do, they know the consequences.

TOOTIE
Jo, you know I don't like violence.

JO
You're right, Tootie. I should have learned my lesson last time
about violence. If they start up again, I'll just take it to Harris.

NATALIE
Jo, we're all worried about Blair. She's gonna be alright.

JO
I know, I just never came that close to losing a friend.

Jo and the girls carry on with serving the other girls as the time
approaches 7:15 AM at Eastland Academy.

At 8 AM, first breakfast is finished and a second quartet of girls
comes in to replace Jo and company. The girls are already in their
school uniforms, so they quickly head for their first classes. There
is a surprise waiting for them as they approach their lockers.

GIRLS
WAY TO GO, JO!!!

About 30 teenage girls suddenly appear waving a banner reading
the words "JO IS OUR HERO!" Jo herself stands speechless.

JO
I don't know what to say...

Girl #1:
You don't have to say anything. Your actions were the only words
we needed last night. And now we want to return the thanks
and give you a heroes welcome back to class.

JO
I don't really deserve it, guys. I don't consider myself a hero.

Girl #2
As far as we're concerned, you are a hero. And after school lets
out, we're taking you for a hero's dinner at Pizza Hut.

Girl#3
With lots of Pizza, Ice Cream and drinks!

JO
Alright, I'll indulge you guys for one day because I want to be nice

Harris suddenly comes up to the assembly of girls

MR. HARRIS
Jo, there is something I have to say...

JO
I think I know what it is, and I think these girls should also hear.

MR. HARRIS
Very well, Jo. I'm sorry to say this, but I just come from a 15
minute meeting with the board of directors and they feel that
since you violated school policy by bringing a weapon-namely
a shotgun-on to school property, they have no choice but to
bar you from the school building and confine you to the custody
of Mrs. Garrett pending a disciplinary hearing and possible
expulsion. It's school policy, Jo, I'm sorry.

JO
Mr. Harris, you have nothing to apologize for. I broke one of the
major rules of this school and I am ready to accept whatever
punishment they wish to give to me.

MR. HARRIS
Jo, I am willing to stand by you whatever decision you make-
if you choose to fight it, I will fight with you.

JO
Mr. Harris, there will be no battle-I shall willingly accept expulsion
from Eastland if the board decides that is the penalty in my case.

MR. HARRIS
Jo, I cannot say enough that you are a class act, an excellent
student and an inspiration to this fine body of students. I only
wish that I did not have to take this action on behalf of the board.

JO
I still think of you as a great man and a fine headmaster, sir.

Jo shakes Harris' right hand and then turns to the crowd

JO
I ask of you girls that you do not cause riots or any other sort
of trouble in my name. To do so would damage the reputation of
this school as a fine center of academic learning and bring
dishonor to Mister Ronald Harris as headmaster and shame to
me as one of your fellow students. I want the good name of
Eastland Academy to be upheld for all time.

Harris leaves the assembly as Jo is talking to the girls

JO
I want you to carry on as if I were still in this building, I want
you to be the school you were before I came here. I want
Mister Harris to be proud to call you his students and friends.

Jo looks for any replies or responses from the girls...

JO
Now, I will need three minutes alone to clean out my locker.

Girl #1
Can we still take you out later for pizza?

JO
I'm afraid not. In addition to being barred from this building, I also
cannot leave campus for any reason during this suspension.

Girl #1
Can we bring you back some pizza later?

JO
That would be okay. Just bring it to the cafeteria building.

Girl #2
That's great, Jo. We'll leave you alone now so you can clear out.

JO
Thanks, guys.

The girls leave as Jo Polniaczek takes one last mournful look at
her locker before obeying the wishes of the school board.

[Lee]

Jo walks with a resigned look but with a sure and steady gait
down the hallway of the school building and out the door, past
the apple and pear trees and rose bushes with no roses making
her way toward the cafeteria building on the other side of the
Eastland campus. Mrs. Garrett comes to her side as soon Jo
comes through the double doors.

EDNA
Jo, I heard from Harris on the phone just now. I'm so very sorry.

JO
Mrs. Garrett, as I told him, don't waste your time on sympathy-
I broke a major Eastland rule and I deserve severe punishment.

EDNA
Jo, surely the school board can't be that hard...

JO
They agree on everyone I just said, and Mr. Harris said I most
likely will be expelled from Eastland. There's no need for you or
the girls to try and defend me before the board. I dished it, so
I now have to take it. I better tell ma the news.

Jo heads up the stairs leading to Mrs. Garrett's apartment and
and Mrs. Garrett stands at the bottom of the stairs with a sad
look on her face. She wants to help, but she is not able to.

That night, Natalie and Tootie are downstairs playing checkers
in the student lounge when the phone next to them rings.

Natalie picks it up...

NATALIE
Eastland Academy, Natalie Green speaking. Yes, Captain Davis,
she's upstairs in her bedroom. She has been suspended from
Eastland proper pending a disciplinary hearing and possible
expulsion due to the whole thing with the shotgun. Yes, I will
tell Mrs. Garrett to tell Jo that you called. Goodbye, Captain.

TOOTIE
Why did the Peekskill Police call?

NATALIE
Captain Davis has said that the district attorney has decided
not to press criminal charges against Jo for the shotgun. He also
said that the Peekskill Police Department and the Mayors office
want to give comendations to Jo and to Officer Hernandez for
bravery. They plan to give Hernandez the departments first
medal of valor for his bravery.

TOOTIE
That's wonderful news, Nat. Let's go tell Jo!

NATALIE
I think Mrs. Garrett ought to get her. I don't want to disturb her
when she's in a bad mood. I want to keep all my teeth.

TOOTIE
Wise idea. Mrs. Garrett!

Edna comes in from the cafeteria into the lounge...

EDNA
Yes, girls?

NATALIE
Go get Jo, tell her we have some good news.

EDNA
Sure, hold on a minute. Don't know if she wants to come down.

TOOTIE
Do you think Jo will get a medal?

NATALIE
I don't think police give medals for private citizens.

TOOTIE
Well, there's always a first time for everything.

[Lee]

Friday, January 23, 1981
10:30 AM

We are at Peekskill City Hall on 3539 Peekskill Road. Mrs. Garrett
is there along with Jo, Natalie and Tootie. All three girls are
dressed in their school uniforms as they sit at tables waiting for
mayor Jason Carlton and chief Nathaniel Green to come in.

JO
Mrs. Garrett, how were you able to swing things with Harris?

EDNA
I told him that this was a special occasion in which a hero was
being honored for saving the lives of students at Eastland-even
the board of directors was hard pressed to argue with me.

JO
One thing I have to say about you, Mrs. Garrett, is that you know
how to use fancy words to get people to see your point of view.

EDNA
Well, a woman with a point of view can be pretty strong.

JO
If it makes you happy, I'll accept that award for heroism even
though I don't really deserve it-me and Gabriel were just
doing what we felt we had to do. The title "hero" is a false
designation in my honest opinion, a word they use to make
certain people look larger than life. If a person is not realized
just for being a person, then any sort of award will not make
that person look any more human.

EDNA
I respect your opinion, Jo. But in my personal opinion, you are
indeed a hero to all of us. A hero is a person willing to make a
difference, willing to take a risk, willing to protect people at any
and all costs. I know some Peekskill police officers who match
that description very well, one of them is a good friend of yours.

NATALIE
And a good friend to me.

TOOTIE
And to me as well, Jo.

Jo signals the trio to be quiet as Mayor Carlton takes his place
at a podium to address the audience seated before him.

MAYOR CARLTON
Once in a while, there is a man or a woman who is willing to take
any and all risks to protect the citizens of their city. We have two
such people in this audience today and we are here to honor
them-JoAnn Polniaczek and Officer Gabriel Hernandez of the
Peekskill Police Department. In the early morning hours of
Wednesday, January 21st, Officer Gabriel Hernandez was taking
a young woman named JoAnn Polniaczek on a ride-along to see
how Peekskill police officers serve their city everyday. A man
named Carl Wilkins placed a bomb in a police station and then
attacked Officer Hernandez and Miss Polniaczek with a loaded
shotgun, forcing Officer Hernandez to discharge his own shotgun
to end the threat. Then using bravery and resourcefulness,
Officer Hernandez give the right information to a special bomb
squad, resulting in the speedy disarmament of the bomb, saving
the station and countless police officers from disaster.

[Lee]

Edna and our three girls watch as the mayor continues...

MAYOR CARLTON
Just when one tragedy had ended, another began. Officer Jessica
Woodward was abducted at gunpoint by Roger Wilkins, the
brother of Carl Wilkins who was being held on a charge of armed
robbery. Wilkins took Officer Woodward to Eastland Academy,
an all-girls private school just outside the city. There he held
Officer Woodward and two young girls, Natalie Green and Dorothy
Ramsey, hostage as a woman named Mrs. Edna Garrett and a
young woman named Blair Warner slept, unaware of the disaster
occuring just below them. SWAT officers with the Westchester
County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene and
attempted to negotiate the release of the hostages with Wilkins.

Gabriel and Jessica look on as mayor Carlton speaks...

MAYOR CARLTON
Officer Hernandez and JoAnn Polniaczek orchestrated a plan to
rescue the hostages using JoAnn as a decoy to lure Wilkins away
from the school while SWAT officers freed the hostages. As Wilkins
met JoAnn at the enterance to the schools cafeteria Building, Blair
Warner suddenly confronted Wilkins with a shotgun. Wilkins
struggled with her and got control of the shotgun, wounding both
girls with the shotgun. At that moment, police quickly came on the
scene with Officer Hernandez forced to use deadly force to end
the situation. Both girls were wounded, but neither fatally. The
actions of Officer Hernandez reflect the highest standards of
police professionalism and the actions of JoAnn Polniaczek
reflect bravery and a devotion to her friends and to her school
and for these reasons we are here to honor both of them.

Chief Green is standing to the right side of the mayor...

CHIEF GREEN
Officer Hernandez, Miss JoAnn Polniaczek, step forward.

Jo and Gabriel, who is seated next to Jessica Woodward, step
forward to the left hand side of the podium as Chief Green takes
a medal out of a case and puts it around Gabriel's neck.

CHIEF GREEN
Gabriel, I and this city are truly proud of you this day. Please
accept the very first medal of valor award from the Peekskill
Police Department. I am proud of you, young man.

GABRIEL
I am very proud to be a police officer for the city of Peekskill, Chief.

MAYOR CARLTON
JoAnn Polniaczek, please accept this city's highest civilian award,
citizen of the year for 1981. I know you represent Eastland
Academy with diginity and pride and you deserve this honor.

JO
Thank you for this honor, Mayor Carlton. I proudly accept this
award on behalf of the students at Eastland Academy. And I
would be a fool not to give honor to the real heroes on this
stage-Gabriel Hernandez and the officers of the Peekskill Police
Department. Their bravery and professionalism are an inspiration
to the citizens of Peekskill, New York. God bless them all!

[Lee]

MAYOR CARLTON
Peekskill, New York, here are your heroes!

The audience, including Mrs. Garrett, Natalie and Tootie, applaud
Jo and Gabriel as they stand alongside Mayor Carlton and Chief
Green, the Eastland student and the police officer both smiling.

After the ceremony, Mrs. Garrett and all three girls are walking
through the lobby of city hall with Gabriel, Jessica, Chief Green
and Captain Davis accompanying them.

EDNA
Jo, you should have listened to all of us cheering.

JO
I admit, I do kind of like getting medals like this.

GABRIEL
I am just glad to be here on this earth. I forgot to ask:how is
Blair doing?

JO
Blair's doing fine. She outta get out of Peekskill community soon.

GABRIEL
Well, that is good news indeed. I heard that it did not go over
well with the Eastland board of directors.

JO
Yes, I have been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.

GABRIEL
Well, I think you do not deserve that. You just made a mistake.

JO
Well, the school board made a decision and I'm gonna support it.

GABRIEL
I admire your dignity and devotion to Eastland, Jo.

JO
And I enjoy having you as a new friend. How did the two
shootings go? They were ruled justifiable, weren't they?

GABRIEL
Well, I have to wait for the official decision, but likely they will
be ruled justifiable. Thank you for your concern.

NATALIE
Hey, Uncle Nate, wanna come to mom's house next week for
dinner? We're having stuffed cabbage rolls, one of your favorites.

CHIEF GREEN
I will try to set aside some time for my favorite niece, honey.

GABRIEL
Well, Chief, I need to get out of here. Today is my day off and I
want to have the morning and afternoon with Ina and the kids.

CHIEF GREEN
Sure, Gabriel. You deserve the day off, I wish I could take the
day off, gotta get back in my office upstairs.

NATALIE
Well, don't wanna keep you here, bye.

CHIEF GREEN
See you later, Natalie

Chief Green heads upstairs to his office on the second floor of
city hall while everyone else heads to their own destinations.

[Lee]

Later that day, Jo is upstairs in her room as Mrs. Garrett comes in

EDNA
Jo.

JO
Hey, Mrs. Garrett.

EDNA
I just wanted to say again, you and Gabriel were the hit of
the morning. Everyone wanted to show their appreciation. Ina
Hernandez, Gabriel's wife made some black beans and rice
and some Kugelis and also a Lithuanian blueberry soup.

JO
Kugelis?

EDNA
Some kind of Lithuanian casserole made with mashed potatoes,
bacon, eggs and sour cream. I hear it's supposed to be good.

JO
No thanks, Mrs. G, I'd rather have breakfast foods side by side
than together in one casserole dish-no offense to Lithuania.

EDNA
Gabriel told me to tell you that he is doing alright as far as the
two shootings are concerned. He said his wife Ina and his children
are helping him through any problems he might have.

JO
Mrs. Garrett, I've been thinking about what Gabriel said earlier
and I think he's right-I broke a school rule but I feel I need to
stay in Eastland and make my mother proud of me. I am going
to tell the school board that I made a mistake and that I deserve
another chance. You and the girls can back me up if you want to.

EDNA
Jo, I love you, not just as a student at Eastland, but as a long-
lost daughter. I am proud to be surrogate mother to you girls.

JO
I love you, Mrs. Garrett.

The pair hug for about a minute and then Natalie and Tootie
come in...

NATALIE
Is Jo getting all the loving? Come on, hug us too!

Mrs. Garrett pulls Natalie and Tootie to her and three girls and
their mentor hug together...

JO
Nat, Toot, I've decided to fight expulsion. I am staying.

TOOTIE
Oh, Jo...

NATALIE
We love you, Jo...

JO
I love you, Nat. I love all you guys.

The quarter continue hugging as the scene fades to black...

Directed by
Assad Kelada


Written by
Lee A. Scott

Created by
Dick Clair
Jenna McMahon

Developed by
Ben Starr
Howard Leeds
Jerry Mayer

Co-producer
Rita Dillon

Cast(in order of appearance)
Jo Polniaczek... Nancy McKeon
Edna Garrett... Charlotte Rae
Officer Gabriel Hernandez... A Martinez
Dispatcher... Bonnie Franklin(voice only)
Katherine Chandler... Elizabeth Montgomery
George Chandler... William Shatner
Sgt. Jack Graziano... Joe Santos
Capt. James Davis... Martin Milner
Chief Nathan Green... Peter Graves
Roger Wilkins... Charles Bronson
Officer Jessica Woodward... Dana Kimmell
Sgt. Clay Jones... Felton Perry
Carl Wilkins... Robert Mitchum
Reporter... Adam West(voice only)
Sgt. Joseph Goldberg... Michael Ironside
Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey... Kim Fields
Natalie Green... Mindy Cohn
Deputy Morris Williams... Carl Weathers
Officer Jacob Thompson... Richard Hatch
Cindy Webster... Julie Anne Haddock
Sue Ann Weaver... Julie Piekarski
Nancy Olson... Felice Schachter
Margo Jones... Amy Gibson
Headmaster Ronald Harris... Kenneth Mars
Blair Warner... Lisa Whelchel
Boots St. Clair... Jami Gertz
Girl #1... Justine Bateman
Girl #2... Melissa Gilbert
Girl #3... Kari Michaelsen
Mayor Jason Carlton... Harry Morgan

A T.A.T. Communications Company Production
1981 T.A.T. Communications Inc.

[JDS84]

I just finished reading your story and it was a good story. Keep up the good work

[JDS84]

I like all the characters...

[DOPEY85xxx]

THIS AGAIN WAS A GREAT STORY I READ IT TWICE BEFORE I REPLIED !!!!!!!!!!!