rTttF n,fi STMTD

written by
Bob Gale

REVISED DRAFT

1
 IN:
m . HIGHWAY 36 - CENTRAL ILLINOIS - DAY
Agjrey ribbon of concrete cuts through the tall
cornfields of central Illinois. In the foreground is
familiar U.S. Highway shield with the number "36."
SȣRIMPOSE TITLE: "ILLINOIS, SEPTEMBER 1953.
SXVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE KOREAN WAR."
A period GREYHOUND BUS zooms toward us, its destination
clssrly readable above the windshield: "SPRINGFIELD."

X*T. MOVING BUS

Berfcaps half full.
Staring out the window is a young Ban, mid-20'a, in ah
Any Corporal uniform. His nametag reads "BOATMAN;" his
first name is JIM, and he's usually known by his
nickname, JIMBO. He's handsome without being pretty,
sad underneath his general easy going nature is an
intensity that comes with having a definite philosophy
of life, giving him a subtle but powerful charisma.
y<$^X «

JIXBO'S P.O.V. FROM MOVING BUS OF

a series of small road signs...
•FEEL YOUR FACE
AS YOU RIDE BY
NOW DON'T
YOU THINK
IT'S TIME TO TRY
BURMA SHAVE"
JIMBO
sailss.

OUT THE WINDOW

•
A mileage marker flias past: "Springfield • •••

JIMBO
reacts with expensive expression. He turns to the
/""•v . soldier seated next to him, PFC LUTHER ADAMS, also aarly
(
20's, and BLACK.
>#*>..
JIMBO „
Just 8 miles.
Getting home kept fee going half
the time, but now...
(shakes his head, chuckles)
No brass bands.
LUTHER
How's that?
JIMBO
When I was a kid, ay cousin came
back from World War 2. They net
him at the station with a brass
band——the whole neighborhood...a
real hero's welcome.
They asked him his favorite song
and they played it. "Jingle
Bells." It was summer, but they
played "Jingle Bells" for him. And
right then, I wanted that, too: a
brass band to play for ate. I
actually prayed there'd be a war
when I got old enough so I could
have my own brass band.
LUTHER
Well, you got half your wish.
JIMBO
Yeah. The dumb half.
LUTHER
What did you want 'am to play?
JIMBO
•Dixie."
LUTHER
"Dixie?" You're from Illinois,
Jimbo! What you want with bearin'
Dixie?
JIMBO
(shrugs) . •
I like it. Me and Abe Lincoln.
Did you know Lincoln's favorite
song was J'Dixia?" It's true. .
LUTHER
How*do you know that about Lincoln?
 jfJOv

JIMBO
You don't grow up-in,Lincoln's home
town without picking up a lot about
the man.
He was President of the United
States, but he couldn't even have
his favorite song played in the
White House.
jimbo shakes his head at the irony of it.

EXT. HIGHWAY 36
The bus roars off toward the horizon.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPRINGFIELD BUS STATION - DAY
Jimbo steps off the bus carrying an army duffel. Other
PASSENGERS hurry past to greet family and loved ones.
Jimbo has no one to meet him.
He watches with envy as a SOLDIER is reunited with his
/**** GIRL, and a young MARINE is welcomed by joyous parents.
1
#*
Luther is greeted by an AUNT, UNCLE and COUSIN or two.
JIMBO
Have a good visit, Luther.
LUTHER
Thanks man. I'll see you before I
go back to Texas.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
A TAXI idles in the background as Jimbo walks over to a
double width tombstone. (Possibly Lincoln's tomb in the
background?)
The atone reads "BOATMAN;" below it, "John Arthur,
Beloved Father, 1889-1948}" next to it, "Martha Jane,
Wife and Mother, 1895-1952."
Jimbo places a single flower on his mother's grave.
CUT TO:
 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS DISTRICT - DAY
^ jiufco walks through the business'district, duffel over
bis shoulder, remembering what's old, curious about
what's new. He pauses at a boarded up dilapidated
restaurant, "JOHNSON'S CAFE. He sighs: another sad
nesery.

FDSTEER ALONG
Jimbo comes around a corner and grins upon seeing an old
haunt: "LAND OF LINCOLN LANES" the Bowling Alley. He
looks it over...still the same...touches it to convince
himself its real and that he's back.
Be turns and looks across the street at

SLIM SAM'S DINER.

Just looking at it makes you want to aat t h e r e — i t has
all the charm and style of a classic diner...the rounded
corners, chrome trim, deco signage.
•

JIMBO
4
[ smiles: He's home. He adjusts his cap and enters.
INT. SLIM SAM'S DINER
There's a counter, several booths and a juke box. 2
WAITRESSES are on duty and the grill is in the open,
visible to anyone who wants to watch the YOUNG COOK fry
burgers or scramble sggs.
The menu board reminds us of the cost of living in 1953:
Coffee-10 cents; Hamburger-25 cants? 2 Eggs-20 cents.
JIMBO hops on a stool. Career waitress LOUISE,
mid-40's, dyed black hair, tired, bored, comes over to
take his order. She doesn't avan look at him.
LOUISE
What'11 it be, a n y ?
JIMBO
Coffee, black.
, LOUISE
How about some fresh apple pie with
f*^ " that?
jf0<&\,

JIMBO
Sounds good, Louise.*
Now she looks at him...and her face lights up.
LOUISE
Jimbo? It's you! Well, stand up
and let me look at you!
MARGARET, waiting on a booth, turns and reacts with
similar delight.
MARGARET
Jimbo!
(hurries over and hugs him)
Key, we've missed you, kid. The
place hasn't been the same.
(calls to the back)
Hey, Slim! Get your bones out here
and see who stopped in!
(to Jimbo)
How long you been back?
JIMBO
An hour.
MAN AT BOOTH •
Hey, how about my refill?
MARGARET
Duty calls.
She grabs a coffee pot and serves him.
Now SLIM SAM, 50, comes out from the back. He's skinny
as a rail, and his grease stained apron indicates he's
put in plenty of time at the grill himself.
He recognises Jimbo immediately. They shake hands
warmly.
SLIM SAM
Bey, hay, hsy! Welcome home, kid.
Glad to see you're still in one
piece. Or did they put you on
permanent K.P.?
JIMBO
Hell, once they found out I was a
cook, they put me right on the
frpnt lines.
 /S&"**\

SLIM SAM.
That's the army. ' You look great,
Jimbo. What are your plans? Gonna
stay in town?
JIMBO
Slim, I'm ready to start work any
time you say.
SLIM SAM
(uneasily)
Uh, you mean...here?
JIMBO
Well, sure. That itas what you
said.
Slim swallows hard, unable to look Jimbo in the aye.
Now Jimbo becomes uneasy.
JIMBO
Slim...you d£ remember what you
said?
SLIM SAM
Jimbo, I didn't mean™well, what I
meant was... '
JIMBO
"Your job will be waiting for you
whenever you get back, Jimbo.
That's a promise."
SLIM SAM
Well, yeah, but, hey, you were
goin' off to war and...
Jimbo looks at him with contempt and betrayal.
SLIM SAM
•Well, what do you expect »t to do?
Ralph's been here 3 yaars, Cel's
been here 2. I can't fire 'am just
'cause you joined the army.
JIMBO
Didn't you tell 'am I'd be coming
back?

/$**<•.
{**'• SLIM SAM
'' I didn't know if. you'd be coming
back,
(a beat)
And then after Carol Ann.;.
Well, I was sure you wouldn't.
Besides, I couldn't get anybody to
work here if I told 'am it was only
till you came back.
Jimbo looks him right in the aye.
JIMBO
Did you try, Slim? Did you even
try?
Slim looks away. He didn't try.
JIMBO
(seething with rage)
That stinks, Slim. It stinks. I
was counting on this. You knew
that. It was gonna be the base to
build my dream: a place of my own,
and a woman to share it with. Evan
after Carol Ann...left, I figured
at least old Slim would do me
right, because he promised. But
you're shit, Slim. A man who goes
back on a promise is nothin' but
shit.
Damn, I'm mad! I o u g h t a —
He's ready to grab Slim and tear him apart—but aelf
control wins out. He stops short, turns and heads for
the door, raising his arms to clear a path.
JIMBO
Gimme some room!
Two PATRONS step aside and Jimbo thunders out.
LOUISE
You know what Slim? He's right.
Slim is ashamed. He knows it, too.'

EXT. SLIM SAM'S DINER

Jimbo strides purposefully across the street to the
Bowling Alleys
 8

•MET.. BOWLING ALLEY

IS Janes, 4 or 5 are in use.
Bfihiad' the counter is the owner, MATTY, 48, and JOE, 20.
JXfflSF storms in, looking like he's ready to kill.
MATTY
Jimbo! I didn't know you ware
back! How are you, kid?
JIMBO
Mad as hell.
Matty nods knowingly and turns to Joe.
MATTY
Turn on every lane in the house.
(into public address microphone)
Attention all bowlers! Plsase stop
bowling and reset your pins!
Jimbo heads for the lanes as puzzled BOWLERS stop and
hit their reset buttons.
Joe flips switches on the control consoles. He's
confused.
JOE
What's going on, Mr. Morse?
MATTY
Just watch.
Matty moves toward the lanes for a better look. Joe
follows.

JIMBO
picks up a bowling ball, steps up to the first lane and
throws...a STRIKE! He moves to the 2nd lane, picks up
another ball and throws it: STRIKE1 To the 3rd
lane...another ball, another throw, and he's already
bowling at the 4th lane before the 3rd ball bits the
pins: STRIKE!

Am\
REACTION SHOTS
of the amazed-bowlers, an amazed Joe and a knowing Matty
who's seen-this before but never gets tired of.it.
 ON BOWLING LANES
s&roing that Jimbo has thrown 9 strikes in adjaeent
3stes; he's throwing his 10th. STRIKE!
*
Jiabo plops down on a ssat. The anger in bis face is
cjese; he heaves a sigh of relief. He wipes his face
vitfe a handkerchief, then looks st the group of
incredulous bowlers staring at him with wide ayes and
jaws.
JIMBO
(shrugs, smiles)
Whenever I get mad, I count to 10.
CUT TO:
A RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY
Jimbo, duffel over his shoulder, ambles down the
residential street and up the walkway to a well-kept
wood frame house, with a full front porch and porch
swing. He's been here beforehand the swing stirs a
fond memory.
He rings the bell. ^
A WOMAN, 50 answers it: MRS. HUTKINS. Grey haired,
aidwestern stock, she is an archetype mother.
JIMBO
Hello, Mrs. H.
MRS. HUTKINS
(delighted)
Jim! It's so good to see you!
CUT TO:
INT. HUTKINS' LIVING ROOM - LATER
Jimbo sits on the sofa, sipping coffee. Mrs. Hutkins
enters from the kitchen with a plate of homemade
cookies.
MRS. HUTKINS
I baked them for Ben, but he won't
mind if you have some.
Jimbo takes one and has a bite.
/ JIMBO
/'—- ..As good as I remember, Mrs. H.
v Maybe even better.
 10

j^f^K.

MRS. HUTKINS
Oh, and don't worry, all your
things are upstairs in the closet.
Nothing's been touched.
Jimbo looks at a portrait over the mantle of a lovely
girl, 20: CAROL ANN.
JIMBO
Was it a nice wedding, at least?
MRS. HUTKINS
They eloped. We were upset,
naturally, but than, Z can't say we
would have enjoyed seeing Carol Ann
walk down the aisle with him,
either.
Mrs. Hutkins is clearly bitter, but she tries to control
ber emotions.
MRS. HUTKINS
We wanted it to be you, Jim, Ben
and I. I think Carol Ann still
wanted it, t o o — p a r t of her did.
But when Eddie Edwards came £ack
all shot up and broke off with Jane
Ford, well, Carol Ann was afraid
the same thing would happen to you
and her. And then, this
silver-tongued Mr. Mike Burns came
waltzing through town... Waltzing,
hal He doesn't dance. Can you
believe Carol Ann would marry a man
who doesn't danee? Doesn't want
kids, either.
JIMBO
Her letter said he was a travailing
salesman...paper cups?
MRS. HUTKINS
Paper cups out of Chicago,
industrial soap out of Kansas City,
automobile something-or-others out
of St. Louis...
They're in California now,
Riverside, California, and he's
selling bathroom fixtures or some
such...
/"*•* -r(a beat)
•Jim, you will stay for dinner,
won't you?
CUT TO:
 11

INT. HUTKINS' DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Jimbo, now in civvies, is having" pot roast with the
Hutkins. BEN HUTKINS, 54, is a clear-eyed, decent
fellow, immediately likeable.
BEN HUTKINS
Got any plans, Jim? Gonna stay in
Springfield, I hope?
JIMBO
I thought I was, until I found out
Slim gave my job away.
BEN HUTKINS
The state's hirin' highway craws.
It's hard work, but it pays.
JIMBO
I'm a ahort order cook, Mr.
Hutkins. It may not be much, but
it's what I like and what I do
best.
The fact is, there's nothing left

r for me here anymore. So tomorrow

morning, I'm gonna buy me a car and
9° - m
BEN HUTKINS
Go where?
JIMBO
West.
CUT TO!
EXT. ROUTE 66 - DAY
Framed in the foreground, the highway sign with the
number which promises new hopes, grand drsaas and a
better life: "66." And above it, the only direction to
travel en Route 66: "WEST."
A 1948 GREEN DeSOTO zooms down it, through the flat
farmland of Illinois, to the accompaniment of "Get Your
Kicks On Route 66."

INT. MOVING DESOTO

JIMBO is driving, and he has a passenger: LUTHER ADAMS,
still in uniform.
 12

z**"^
JIMBO '
Can't say for sure I'll get you all
the way to Amarillo. If I find a
little cafe I like between here and
there and they'll hire me...
LUTHER
However far you're gettin' me is
savin' me bus fare, and I
appreciate it.
A mileage marker goes by: "St. Louis - 51."
LUTHER
Gonna check out St. Louis?
JIMBO
Too close to Illinois. I won't
feel I'm west till we hit Oklahoma.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROUTE 66 - DAY
_, The clay hills of northeast Oklahoma shine red in the
( morning light, and billboards announce the motels and
eateries of Tulsa, 6 miles ahead.
Jimbo's green DeSoto barrels westward.

ROUTE 66 - FURTHER ALONG - DAY

"TULSA TOM'S OKLAHOMA EATERY" has a big sign with a
caricature of Tulsa Tom waving to highway traffic.
Below it, a banner: "Help Wanted."
Jimbo's DeSoto whisks past...suddenly we hear a -screech
of tires as the auto makes s wild, careening U-Tura,
then cuts into Tulsa Tom's parking lot.

INT. DESOTO - DAY

Jimbo eyes the plaee from behind the wheel. It's a
roadhouse with a certain amount of style. The several
parked cars indicate it's not hurting for business.
Jimbo nods. He likes the look of it.
/#"*> ' . JIMBO
Only one way to find out...
 /ff**S.
13

He gets out, leaving Luther behind.

.•
We watch with Luther as Jimbo gives the place further
scrutiny. Then he enters.
We hold...3 seconds later, Jimbo walks quickly out and
gets back in the car.
Luther raises his eyebrows with the question he doesn't
need to ask.
JIMBO
The kitchen's in the back, out of
view. I can't work behind closed
doors. Gotta see the customers,
have them see me.
Jimbo revs up and pulls back onto 66.

INT. MOVING DESOTO - NIGHT

Jimbo drives on through the Oklahoma night.
("*• LUTHER
You never did tell me how you
decided to be a cook. *
JIMBO
Well, it's a long story.
LUTHER
Oklahoma's a big state.
Jimbo smiles.
JIMBO
When I was 8 years eld, I saw this
guy flipping pancakes in the window
of Johnson's cafe down on 12th
Street. Moses Johnson. He had a
-spatula in each hand, and could
flip 'am two at a time, in dead
sync. He could switch spatulas in
aid-air, keep 3 pancakes going at
once...the man had atyla with a
capital S.
(MORE)
CONTINUED
J***^
 14

CWTINUED
JIMBO . ( c o n t ' d )
I watched him for a whole hour.
He pulled in a big crowd, generated
business—they applauded him. And
I was hooked.
I ran home, made some batter and
tried it myself. When my Mom got
home and saw the kitchen, well...I
couldn't sit down for a week.
Next day, I went back to Moses
Johnson and asked him to teach me
to flip pancakes like that. Well,
he gave me the aye, rubbed his
chin, and said, "Son, If11 teach
you my aecrets if you'll make me a
promise—and you'll have to keep
that promise forever, because the
worst thing in the world is a
broken promise. Do you promise
that you won't ever use what I
teaeh you to put me out of
business?"
And I raised my right hand and
said, "I promise forever."
So he bent down, looked me right
in the eye and said, "the setret is
PRACTICE."
And he took me out back and
aawed 3 pieces of wood off the and
of a log. "Practice with these,"
he said, "and don't go near a
kitchen until I say you're good
enough." Then he gave me one of
his own spatulas and showed me how
to handle it, and told me to come
back next week.
Well, I practiced and I came back
every week, and I learned and I got
good. And every time I saw bia
sign "Johnson's," I imagined having
a place and a sign with my name en
it, all lit up, big and bright:
"Jimbo's."
LUTHER
And what happened to Moses Johnson?
 15

JIMBO /
He kept right on flippin' pancakes,
but then his wife died in "48 and
something went out of him. Oh, he
kept working, but his timing went
off, and he started missing, and
all that atyle he had, he didn't
have it anymore.
Business fell off, but he
wouldn't let anyone help him. I
told him I'd work for him, help him
get things going again, and he told
me to come back next week.
When I came back, his place was
closed, and old Moses had just
disappeared, no one knew where.
(long pause)
He could do one thing and he did it
better than anybody. And then one
day, he couldn't do it anymore.
(a beat)
I suspect he killed himself.
/0^\
EXT. ROUTE 66 - NIGHT
The DeSoto zooms west, into the night.
CUT TO:
EXT. "INDIAN" GAS STATION, RURAL OKLAHOMA - DAY
Thic gas station represents American tackiness in its
highest form: they sell Indian souvenirs out of a
stucco teepee office.
While an ATTENDANT gasses up the DeSoto, Jimbo and
Luther partake of Nehi aodas and Tom's vending machine
potato chips while gazing across the highway.

ANOTHER ANGLE - JIMBO AND LUTHER

They're looking at the "OK CAFE," a roadhouse completely
covered with signage: "This is IT!"- "You're Here!"
"Great Coffee! Free Refills!" "Best Food For Miles!"
The cafe is dwarfed by its s i g n s — i t s bark is a whole
lot bigger than its bite. But a lot of cars are parked
around it.
^SS>K.
f LUTHER
-Looks like they're doing a helluva
business.
 16

JIKBO "
They don't need a guy like, me in a
place like that. It's not the food
bringing 'em in, it's the signs.
Everybody eating in there is on
their way to somewhere else.
That's not for as. I want ny place
to be where they're going.
CUT TO:
EfT. AMARILLO BUS STATION - DAY
A sign on the building tells us where we are. The
DeSoto pulls into the parking lot.

01. DESOTO
LUTHER
You're sure I can't talk you into
driving down to Lubbock? My
mama'11 cook you up one fine meal.
JIMBO
It's tempting, but...I thin* I'll
take a look around here.
LUTHER
Get off it, man, you're headin'
straight for California, and you
know it, too.
JIMBO
You're right.
Luther pulls his duffel out of the back ssat, opens the
door and extends his hand.
LUTHER
Thanks for the ride, Jia-BO! And
good luek. At least you know what
you want. Me, X could still end up
anywhere.
They shake hands.
JIMBO
Well, if you get to California,
Luther, you look for ay place.
Like I aaid, ay name'11 be on the
"sign, all lit up.
 17

\ LUTHER
California's a big state, man.
JIMBO
It'll be a big sign.

EXT. AMARILLO BUS STATION - WIDE ANGLE

Luther salutes as Jimbo drives off.
LUTHER
Go, Jia-BOl
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROUTE 66 - ARIZONA - DAY
A bridge looms ahead: the Colorado River. Beyond it,
California. —
A large sign tells us we are "Leaving Arizona. Hurry
Back." Beyond it, "Entering California - All Vehicles
Prepare to Stop For Inspection, one half mile."
As Jimbo's Desoto crosses into the Golden State, we hear
a JOYOUS YELL from his car. /
CUT TO:
EXT. ROUTE 66 - CALIFORNIA, FURTHER ALONG - DAY
JIMBO'S CAR comes up to and pulls off the shoulder at a
HIGHWAY JUNCTION with a road aign.
The sign indicates that SAN BERNADINO is to the right,
and RIVERSIDE is to the left.

JIMBO
stares at the aign, debating whieh road to take. He
looks toward Riverside, then shakes his bead.
JIMBO
Sorry, Carol Ann, I can't do it.
He heads toward San Bernadino.
CUT TO:
/^N,
 18

COBSE ON A SIGN: "City Limits: SAN BERNADINO."

Sfcside it, a sign indicating Business 66, running right
trough town. WIDEN as Jimbo's car enters San Berdoo
ami. heads into town.

SRIES OF SHOTS - SAN BERNADINO - DAY

San Bernadino in 1953 is a post-war boom town where the
csv is king...a prototype of auburban aprawl. It's a
tsvn of car lots, gas stations, shopping centers and
dsive-ins, all with ample parking lota. Rows of garish
store signs compete for attention and dollars. And
everywhere aoaething is under construction.
Jimbo is fascinated. He's never seen anything like it.
Be passes a huge cleared area on the edge of an orange
grove with a aign promising "Affordable Family Homes
From $8999."
Partner along, a new freeway is under construction.
^s. Ot another street, Jimbo passes "BOWL-A-RAMA, 32 LANES."
(
\ Be smiles. He turns a corner, drives along a strip past
a TG t Y, a Speed Queen Laundromat, a car Lot, a Drug
Store... Then he slams on his brakes. He has stopped
at

EXT. A SMALL CAFE

with a big but forgettable aign which merely aays "EAT."
The place is a little run down, in need of a coat of
paint, and is doing no business. But its big glass
windows, tile accents and eclectic aami-aoderne atyle
give it a certain charm and attraction.

JIMBO
stares at it from his car. He's interested.
He drives past it, then turns and goes back again,
surveying the place and getting the lay of the land. He
nods. As Brigham Young said, "This is the plaee."

EXT. CAFE -. DAY

The DeSotc' pulls in.
 19

JTiimbo steps out, looks around. He stares at the aign

cod shakes his head: needs work*.
watches the traffic go by on the street: there's
•rough.
She freeway under construction is also visible. Jimbo
Beds. Definite possibilitiss.
Finally he takes a deep breath and heads inside.

0 9 . CAFE - DAY
Ite grill is visible behind the counter...and visible
the front window, too.
Tbe counter seats 8; there are no booths or tables. One
BAR is seated there, nursing a cup of coffee and reading
tbe paper: CHESTER, in his 50's.
Is a corner is a Juke Box.
A wide variety of menu items are posted above, as well
c as "We Prepare Food to Go."
The owner...well, he must be the owner...is wiping off
the counter which looks like it doesn't need any wiping
off. He's about 60, with windblown features and grey
hair. He's "CAPTAIN" MARTIN WINGATE, a man who did not
get what he really wanted out of life.
Jimbo hops onto a atool.
JIMBO
Hi. Coffee, black.
Wingate nods and pours Jimbo a cup.
JIMBO
This your place?
Wingate nods.
JIMBO
I like it.
WINGATE
Thanks.
C*' Jimbo notices £he pie case: there's a aingle alice of
. . Cherry pie.in it, and that'a all.
 20

JIMBO
You know, you'd have,an easier time
selling that pie if you put a bunch
of slices in there. Nobody likes to
buy the last piece of anything.
WINGATE
Well, old Freddie Carson'11 be in
here about 5:15. He'll have that
pie.
JIMBO
Freddie Carson. Right.
Jimbo takes a sip of coffse. It'e not too good.
JIMBO
I just got into town. Looking for
work.
WINGATE
They're building roads, if that
suits you.
JIMBO
/**N I'm a cook. I'd like t o work here.
wingate laughs. He turns to the lone customer.
WINGATE
You hear that, Chester? Fella
wants to work here!
Chester heard it, and he laughs too.
JIMBO
From the looks of things, I'd aay
you could use m e .
CHESTER
Son, ain't you heard? People don't
hire when business is bad. They
hire when business is good.
WINGATE
And I'm not exactly doin' land
office here.
JIMBO
You hire' me for one week. If I
don't increase your business by at
f*. least 100 p e r c e n t — - t h a t ' s
v
.^double I'll walk out of here and
you don't have to pay m e a dime.
 21

WINGATE
You're crazy. / "•
JIMBO
No, air. But if you turn down a
deal like that, vou are.
Wingate can't believe it. What'a the angle? He
exchanges a look with Chester, who shrugs. Why not?
Wingate eyes Jimbo for a few moments, then nods.
WINGATE
You're en, fella.
JIMBO
(smiles, stands)
I'll be back in time for lunch
tomorrow. I'd start now, but. I'm
tired and I've gotta find a place
to live.
CHESTER
Try the Oakdale Apartments, over on
Spruce Street, about half a mile
/0&K north.
JIMBO '
Thanks.
(to Wingate)
O h — m y name's Jim Boatman.
Everybody calls me Jimbo.
WINGATE
Martin wingate. I'd appreciate it
if you'd call me "Captain."
JIMBO
Captain. Right. Say, Captain, you
ahould never let your coffee sit
for more than 30 minutes—it goes
bad. In the long run, it's cheaper
to throw away a whole pot than to
lose one customer by serving a bad
cup.
Wingate doesn't know what to make of this cocky young
man.
WINGATE
Son, you may be working hare
starting tomorrow, but I'm the
boss.
 22

/0WN. JIMBO
Right. But that's tomorrow.
Today, I'm a customer, and the
customer is always right. .
Jiab© throws a dime on the counter.
JIMBO
See you tomorrow, Captain.
Be exits, leaving Wingate dumbfounded.
CHESTER
I'll give him one thing, Cap: I'll
sure be satin' here for the next
week.
WINGATE
Yeah...
He goes over to the coffee pot, smells it, then dumps it
down the drain.
CUT TO:

/P"N
EXT. WINGATE'S CAFE - DAY
The next day. Extremely wide angle. Quiet.

INT. WINGATE'S CAFE

The pie case now displays 6 pieces of pie.
A fresh pot of eoffee has just finished brewing: the
last few drops drip down from the grounds.
The large CLOCK on the wall shows a few minutes before
eleven.
WINGATE looks at it, then looks out the window.
Nothing.
CHESTER, back again, his perennial cup of Java at hand,
checks his watch against the clock.
The two exchange s look: is he coming' or not?
In answer, we hear the offscreen sound of an APPROACHING
CAR ENGINE.
/0^*.
 23

CAFE PARKING LOT

and LOW as the green DeSoto pulls right up to

^lt driver's door opens and a pair of feet with the

SBCTIEST BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES IN THE WORLD etep

follow these shoes to the Cafe.

WINGATE'S CAFE
Vfe're on Wingate and Chester as we hear the sound of the
front door opening.' Their jaws drop.

SC7ERSE ANGLE
ox JIMBO, immaculate in white pants with a razor crease,
perfectly tailored white shirt, black bow tie, sharp and
crisp, and the classic white paper cap, tilted just
right on his head.
Bo doubt about it, Jimbo means business.
Be carries a tool box in his hand and a folded apron
under his arm.
JIMBO
Good morning.
(sniffs the air)
Fresh coffee. Smells good,
Captain.
Jimbo smiles, shakes out the apron and puts it on. Be
steps behind the eounter.
WINGATE
(smiles and nods)
Welcome sboard, Jimbo.
Chester nods his approval to Wingate.
CUT TO:
SERIES OF SHOTS
Jimbo studies the menu.
Jimbo ehecks the contents of the refrigerator.
Jimbo examines the grill, tests the burners.
 24

* Jimbo looks over the Jukebox—a-100 selection 45 rpm

Seeburg.
Jimbo paces the distance between one end of the counter
to the other; getting the "feel" of the distance from
the grill to the counter, to the sink, to the icebox.
wingate watches all this with curious interest. He
glances at Jimbo's tool box, set in the corner.
WINGATE
What's in the box? Your lunch?
Jimbo opens it and shows him. Inside sre spatulas,
knives, and other kitchen implements—sturdy, clean and
used.
JIMBO
My tools. Picked' em out, broke
'em in... even built two of the
spatulas myself...
Jimbo hands one to Wingate. Wingate examines it. He's
/$^N
impressed.
JIMBO /
You don't mind if I use 'em...?
WINGATE
Son, you go ahead and do whatever
you want to do. At what I'm payin'
you, I can afford to be generous.
Jimbo grins. He starts replacing Wingate's utensils on
the hooks above the grill with his own.

EXT. WINGATE'S CAFE - DAY

A tan FORD pulls into the lot, next to Jimbo's car. A
MAN, 35, named BALSON, gets out end heads on in.

INT. CAFE
wingate spots Balson through the window.
WINGATE
Here comes your first live one,
/^*"\ Jimbo. I'm not saying a word.
 25

JIMBO /
(has a look for 'himself)
Sit down, Cap. You might learn
something.
WINGATE
Right...
He steps out from behind the counter and out of the way.
Balson enters, takes a stool, looks up at the menu.
JIMBO
Coffee?
BALSON
Please.
Jimbo serves him a cup.
BALSON
I'll have, uh...
JIMBO
r (holds up his hand)
Wait. Our special today, not on
the menu: the Double Jimbo Burger.
2 patties on a triple sliced golden
bun, cheese, pickles, onions,
lettuce, tomato...and of course,
your choice of catsup and mustard,
all for only 39 cents.
BALSON
Well, I think I'll h a v e —
JIMBO
(interrupting)
A N D — i f you don't agree it's
absolutely the finest hamburger
sandwich you'vs ever bad
anywhere...
(pauses dramatically)
...it's on the houss.
Wingate's eyes widen in disbelief. He and Chester
exchange another look.
BALSON
(skeptical)
If ;I don't like it, it's frse?
 26

» JIMBO
*v Yep. Absolutely free.
Balson looks down the counter at Wingate and Chester.
BALSON
Is this guy lsgit?
WINGATE
We're tryin' to figure that out
ourselves.
BALSON
Well, you're both witnesses.
(to Jimbo)
All right, pal. Go ahead and cook
me the best hamburger sandwich I've
ever had.
JIMBO
Yes, sir!
Captain! D-6 on the Juke!
Jiabo tosses him a nickel.
Wingate catches it and drops it in the Seeburg.
/
CLOSE ON JUKEBOX
as the mechanism tracks across, picks out D-6, and
begins playing a peppy tune (possibly a reprise of "Get
Your Xicks On Route 66").

INT. CAFE
Jimbo starts moving to the music, and what follows is a
combination of ballet and dazzling showmanship.
Jimbo whips a pair of patties out of the icebox and, one
in each hand, drops them onto the grill with a flourish.
Now, from out of the 'fridge comes a tomato, an onion
and a head of lettuce. He tosses them from one hand to
«. the other, and then onto the duckboard.
Balson watches with curious interest? so do Wingate and
Chester.
("^ Jimbo puts some appropriate body anglish into the act of
salting and peppering the patties.
 27
>#***».

He grabs a knife, flips it end over end through the air

and catches it by the hand and,- with a still continuous
movement, slices the tomato, onion and lettuce with a
style that would be the envy of any Sushi Chef.
His audience is now hooked. None of them has ever seen
technique like this.
Spatulas, now: Jimbo takes one in each hand and flips
the burgers high in the air with simultaneous
one-and-a-half turns...and down on the raw aide.
From the bread box he pulls out a bun and with another
flip of the knife and two quick cuts, be makes 3 pieces
out of it.
A little more seasoning...and all this in time to the
music.
A pickle from the pickle jar...knife in hand...more
blurring "sushi" cuts.
Time to flip the burgers again. With the double spatula
technique, Jimbo tosses both high in the air, then

r
switches spatulas in aid-air, in time to catch both
patties on their way down, then turns them over onto the
grill! 0
4
Balson, Wingate and Chester are astonished.
Jimbo throws himself a block of Cheddar from the icebox,
cuts a slice, and ares it up and onto a patty.
In moments he's got a plate on the duckboard and lays
out the bun: 3 sections. He places a slice of lettuce
on the top section. Holding a apatula in one hand and
the plate in the other, he flips one burger up and
catches it on the bun bottom. Then he flips the
cheeseburger up and catches it on the bun middle. Then
with quick rhythm, he flips a tomato slice, onion slice
and pickle slices onto the sandwich.
He assembles the sandwich (it's similar to a Big Boy,
but far more appetizing), spins around and serves it to
Balson.
JIMBO
There you srs, sir: the Double
Jimbo Burger.
The music obligingly ends.
 28

BALSON ^
Wow.
ViagzCF and Chester's expressions echo Balson's
sestiaents sxactly.
Balson stares at his sandwich for a few moments as if
absorbing the experience of watching it aade.
Pisally he picks it up and takes a bite...and grins like
tee Cheshire Cat.
BALSON
Goddamn!
CUT TO:
THE CASH REGISTER
rings up "39 cents," then "10 cents."

WIDER
Jimbo's behind the register as Balson hands him a dollar
bill.
BALSON '
Keep the change.
JIMBO
Thank you, sir!

ON CHESTER AND WINGATE

WINGATE
First time I ever saw a BAD gat a
tip that was mors than the tab.

ANGLE - CAFE
Balson is almost at the door.
JIMBO
Oh, air: be aure to tell your
friends about us.
BALSON
You'd have to pay ae to keep ay
mouth shutl
Jimbo givei him a salute as Balson exits.
 29

CHESTER
Say, Jimbo...how's about aakin' me
one of them?
CUT TO:
EXTREME CLOSE-UP ON A HAMBURGER PATTY
as it's flipped in the air. We follow it down as it
takes its place among 10 BURGERS SIZZLING ON THE GRILL.

WIDER ANGLE - CAFE

Several days later: the place is jumping—every seat is
filled and several customers stand, waiting for a stool.
Jimbo is running the grill, Wingate is running the
eounter, serving, clearing, ringing up checks.
The juke box blares.
And next to the menu board is a large cardboard sign:
"Our Specialty - The DOUBLE JIMBO BURGER --39 cents."
| DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WINGATE'S CAFE - MONTHS LATER - DAY
Months later. The parking lot is almost full. The
outside of the cafe has been newly painted, white, with
red and yellow tile trim. The windows are spic and
span, and the chrome sparkles. But the "EAT" sign
remains the same.
A BRIGHT RED BUICK CONVERTIBLE cruises past, out Of
frame—then suddenly backs up and pulls onto the lot.
Its DRIVER, A MAN in bis mid-30's, sits for a moment,
looks the place over, checks his watch and counts the
cars in the lot. He nods.
The man is MIKE BURNS. His clothing, like his car, ia a
little loud and garish, but accomplishes a purpose:
people who meet Mike Burns rarely forget him. And, be
has a passion for cleanliness. His clothes are clean
and he looks liks hs's just stepped out of a ahower.
HA ateps out of his convertible, taking along a fat
suitcase: he's a travelling salesman.
 30

as Burns heads in, he circles wide to avoid passing

dose to a WOMAN with a 5 YEAR OLD BOY. He reacts to
*3ae child with mild uneasiness.

01. CAFE
Barns enters, looks around and spots the Men's room
door. He walks over, opens it and peers in. One second
is sll he takes. He steps over to the register and
speaks to Wingate as the older man gives a patron his
change.
BURNS
Mister, how would you like to
economize, sanitize, modernize and
maximize profits, all at once?
WINGATE
I'm very busy, fella. Got no time
for pitches.
Wingate walks away to serve a customer.
Burns just stands there, a slight smile crossing his
lips. '
Jimbo spots Burns. Eye contact.
Neither man says anything, neither man does anything,
but something has happened: an impression has been made.
And then, the moment is gone.
BURNS
(almost to himself)
I'll be back.
He exits.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAFE - NIGHT
The cafe lights are on, but the aign is off. "CLOSED"
hangs on the door. Jimbo's car is parked in back; next
to it, an older car which must be Wingate's.
We can see them through the window.
 31

0T. CAFE
("* Jiabo is on a ladder, cleaning the soffit with a rag,
v
. -wfcistling "Dixie."
Wingate sits at the eounter, wearing reading glasses:
he's bookkeeping. He has a stack of receipts, a
checkbook, and a pile of aoney.
WINGATE
You know, business hasn't been this
good since...
(thinks a moment)
Hell, this is the best 6 months
we've ever had.
Jiabo pauses to stare at the aenu, where it aays "Drinks
- Small, Medium, Large."
JIMBO
Cap, we oughta change this to"
"Regular, Large and Jumbo." It
sounds better.
Out the window, the RED BUICK CONVERTIBLE returns.
Wingate and Jimbo see Burns approaching.
y0&t\
/
WINGATE
Oh, the salesman I turned away this
afternoon...
JIMBO
Let's hear his pitch.
I'm...curious.
Burns raps on the glass door, then enters, smiling a
broad salesman's smile.
BURNS
'Evening, gentlsssn. Z know you're
closed, but that's why I'm here: I
didn't want to dlstraet you during
businsss hours...and I know I would
havs, because when you hear what I
have to say, well, you won't be
able to think of anything but.
Burns is the name, Mike Burns.
I'a the western sales rep f o r — b u t
I'll get to that in a ainute. Now
I have...
Jimbo reacts to the name.
 32

JIMBO
Burns, you say?
BURNS "'.
Yep, as in "3rd Degree."
(notice Jimbo's reaction)
What, have we met before?*
JIMBO
No. A woman I know married s guy
named Burns.
BURNS
(laughs)
Couldn't have been ae. My wife's
from Springfield, Illinois.
Jimbo tries to keep himself under control.
BURNS (continuing)
Do yourself a favor, ay friena:
never get married. Take it from
one who knows. If I had to do it
all over again...but I don't.
(to wingate)
As I was saying...
We stay on Jimbo as Burns launches intoAis pitch.
Jimbo's face fills with pain, anger, sadness...and loss.
But finally his attention returns to Burns.
BURNS (continuing)
...the name of the game today is
efficiency through technology,
maximization of profit thru
minimization of expense, while at
the same time offering an
improvement in daily life.
Gentlsmen: I have here in ay
case... the future.
Burns opens his suitcase, revealing an ELECTRIC HAND
DRYER for public restrooas.
BURNS (cont'd)
The Franklin Electric Fully
Automatic Hand Dryer. Dries your
hands in 30 seconds with a blast of
hot.air. Install it in your rest
rooms and throw away your towel
dispensers. No more maintenance,
z «* no jam-ups, no running out of •
' anything and nothing to ateal.
r '• (MORE)
 33

CONTINUED
BURNS (cont'd)
It's clean, sanitary and simple to
use, and in ay estimation, two
units, one in each restroom, would
pay for themselves within only 14
months.
WINGATE
What's in there now's already been
paid for. Besides, I used one of
those. You know what I did when I
got done? I wiped ay hands on my
pants.
BURNS
Then it wasn't a Franklin. We
guarantee dryness.
WINGATE
Oh, my hands were dry. I just
wanted to wipe 'em on something.
Felt better.
BURNS ,
New ideas always seem strange, but
you can't stop progress and that's
what we're talking here: progress.
WINGATE
Selling a lot of these, are you?
BURNS
Like hotcakes. L.A., Phoenix,
Fresno, Salt Lake...I'a driving up
to Oakland tomorrow. Can't fill
the demand up there.

#\
 34

WINGATE...
Then you won't be hurting if I
don't buy one.
BURNS
(smiles, nods "touche")
Let me give you some information
anyway—and ay card.
(hands him a dope aheet and a
card)
I'a down in Riverside when I'm not
on the road.
WINGATE
You come in to eat aome time. Let
us sell you something.
BURNS
Oh, I'll be back... —
A promise or s threat? Jimbo watches his eooly as he
closes his suitcase and exits.
WINGATE
The biggest drawback to those
things... y
(a beat)
You can't blow your nose in 'em.
Through the window, we see Burns drive off. Jimbo
stares after him for several long moments.
JIMBO
Cap, do you believe in destiny?
WINGATE
What do you mean?
JIMBO
Well, like that certain people'a
lives are sort of...Intertwined.••
for a reason aaybe.
WINGATE
Like inevitability?
(nods)
Yeah, you eould make a pretty good
case for it.
JIMBO
/•***• * (nods, thinks)
,-How far away is Riverside?
CUT TO:
 35

EXT. CLOSE ON A PHONE BOOK - DAY

.• •
The RIVERSIDE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY. Jimbo's hands leaf
through the pages and a finger brings us down to "Burns,
Mike. 1521 Darby." He writes the address on a SCRAP OF
PAPER.

WIDER - EXT. GAS STATION - DAY

Early morning. Jimbo is at a phone booth at a gas
station; his car is being gassed by an ATTENDANT. Jimbo
steps out of the booth, address in hand.
JIMBO
How do I get to Darby Street?
CUT TO:
EXT. DARBY STREET - DAY
Jimbo's Desoto pulls up across the street from 1521.
It's a small house, somewhat run down, and the yard
needs tending. The driveway is gravel, and there's no
car parked in it. If Burns is selling dryers like
hotcakes, he's not spending the profits on his home.
Jimbo stares at the place, tapping his fingers on the
wheel. Should he go up to the door or not?
Before he can decide, a BLACK SEDAN pulls into the
driveway.
A nicely dressed MAN gets out and goes up to the door.
He wears a hat, and we can't aee his face. He knocks.
Jimbo watches with curiosity: who is this guy?
Now the door opens. CAROL ANN smilss upon seeing the
man. She's dressed to go out, end ehe looks
lovely—not all that auch different than the portrait
we aaw at her parents' bouss.
She closes the door behind her and the aan escorts bsr
to his black sedan. He opens the car door for her and
she gets in.
Jimbo reacts with concern. What is going on bare?
The man gets into the driver's seat and backs the ear
onto the street.
yiflffS>>,
 36

INT. JIMBO'S CAR

Jimbo watches as the black sedan.drives off.
He puts his car in gear and follows it.
CUT TO:
EXT. BUSINESS STREET - DAY
The black sedan pulls into the parking area of a HOLIDAY
INN MOTEL.

INT. JIMBO'S CAR

Jimbo reacts with even more concern.

EXT. STREET
Jimbo's car pulls over and parks on the street.
Jimbo gets out and walks toward the Holiday Inn.
Now he spots Carol Ann and the aan walking up to the
/T5W»\ door of a ground floor room. They're aoving quickly as
if they don't want to be seen. The aan#opens the door
for her; she enters and he follows her in, closing the
door behind them.
Jimbo hesitates and takes a deep breath. He's gone this
far, he can't stop now.

EXT. MOTEL - DAY

Jimbo cautiously approaches the door. It's open a
crack. As Jimbo moves closer, MUSIC begins playing from
inside—a Strauss waltz.
Very carefully, Jimbo pushes the door open slightly and
looks insids.
A beat, then he enters.
 37

{ INT. MOTEL MEETING ROOM

It's a MEETING ROOM, and a CHILDREN'S DANCE CLASS is in
progress.
CAROL ANN and the MAN are waltzing in the middle of the
room for a group of young children on a mat with
footprints illustrating the proper steps. He's quite a
bit older than ahe is, and there'a clearly nothing
sexual going on here at all.
The ausic is from a phonograph; a MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (the
aan's wife) is counting waltz time and calling out the
steps for the benefit of the children.
And a CHALKBOARD also has the steps illustrated, as well
as some other pertinent information: "The Waltz," and
"Your Teachers - Mr. 6 Mrs. Whitley; Mrs. Burns."
MRS. WHITLEY
One, two, three, one, two, three...
Jimbo smiles at the harmlessness of it all. He quietly
walks toward Carol Ann and Mr. Whitley. She hasn't
noticed him yet.
As Jimbo moves a little closer, she finally sees him.
She does a double-take, then stops dancing as she stares
at him in disbelief.
Her partner is confused. He looks over at Jimbo, and
then so does Mrs. Whitley, who stops counting.
The children now look at Jimbo as well.
Before anyone can say anything, Jimbo walks right up to
Carol Ann, takes her in his arms and continues the
waltz.
He looks into her eyes, she looks into bis eyes as they
dance as one. This isn't Instructional dancing; it's
sensuous, roaantic, and wonderful.
Mr. Whitley ateps back to give thea more room; Mrs.
Whitley watches silently, not sure what to think except
that they dance very well together.' And the children
sails and giggle.
And when the music ends, Jimbo and Carol Ann just look
at one another while the kids applaud.
• CUT TO:
 38

^ 1ST. A PARK - DAY

*- later. JIMBO and CAROL ANN walk through the park.
CAROL ANN
I was aad at you for enlisting, for
wanting to go to Korea. I couldn't
understand how that could be aore
important than us. The only thing
that aade any sense was that you
wanted to go so that you
could...get away...
's all choked up and can't finish.
JIMBO
Get sway from you?
She nods.
JIMBO
But didn't you get ay letters?
CAROL ANN
You can't put your arms around
letters.
I wanted a life, Jimmy. "Happily
ever after" and all that. Aad I
was scared you might not come back
or if you did you wouldn't want me
anymore.
And then Mike took me for a ride
in his fancy car and told ae funny
stories and that he was on the
verge of a fortune—a million
dollars before he was 40. Just a
little persistence, a little
perseverance, and somebody like ae
he could share it with.
(sighs)
Jimmy, I aarried a wan who doesn't
like to dance. 8 addressss in 3
-years. His ship hasn't come in and
who knows if it ever will. Xt
wouldn't matter auch if it did.
JIMBO
You hate him?
 39.

CAROL ANN
I wish I did. Then maybe I could
walk out on him. I don't like him
much, but I don't hate him.. He's
not bad or evil or anything. He's
just what he is and I wanted hia to
be aomething else.
(she looks at hia a aoment)
1 wanted hia to be you.
eyes lock with hers for a moment, then he looks
away. It's hard for hia, too.
CAROL ANN
You'believe in things, Jimmy. You
always did. You care. You've got
pride in yourself.
Mike's different. He just wants
to get rich, and he doesn't eare
what he sells to do it. He tried
selling caskets once, but he quit
when he realized he couldn't
increase the demand.
/|fflimS\
Any time I try to talk to him
about what he's doing, he loses his
t e m p e r — h e ' s got a terrible.,
t e m p e r — a n d he says "Never
interfere with my business. Never
interfere. When I want you to
know, I'll tell you." Usually, he
tells ae he's got a new "Billion
dollar idea" and that we're aoving
again.
She sighs.
CAROL ANN
Oh, Jimmy, it was all supposed to
be so easy.
JIMBO
2 had a Sergeant who said, "if life
was easy, everybody would be good
at it."
He didn't do ao well either.
He takes hsr hand and they keep walking.'
CUT TO:
 40

yfl^N WINGATE'S CAFE - MORNING

•• «•
Merging. The place is not yet open for business.
Kiagate stocks the refrigerator; Jimbo makes coffee.
*
WINGATE
You know, in some places, earryin'
on with another man's wife is
grounds for justifiable homicide.
JIMBO
We didn't do any "carrying on."
WINGATE
But you. thought about it.
JIMBO
(nods)
God help me, Cap, I'm still in love
with her. Maybe it's like I ..said
last night: it's destiny.
WINGATE
Don't go using "destiny" as an
excuse for doing something you know
is wrong.
I'll tell you what you oughta do:
spend some of that money you've
been making. Get your mind off
her. Buy a new car, take a trip
somewhere. Or a house. You can
afford a down payment on your own
place.
JIMBO
You know what kind of place I'm
saving up for.
WINGATE
Yeah.
A long sobering moment for both of them.
WINGATE
I guess it won't be long, huh?
JIMBO
Aw, it'll be months before I get
serious.
(laughs)
Maybe I should buy a naw car whils
IfB still young.
»•
Wingate isn't buying it.
 41

WINGATE.
Jimbo, you know I'm'sort of here by
default. When my brother died, I
took the place over, temporarily, I
thought, until something better
came along. Nothing ever did.
These past few months have been.,
well, I haven't enjoyed myself so
much in years. It's all thanks to
you. And when that day finally
comes that you walk out that
door...
(sighs)
...hell, I can't make s Double
Jimbo Burger.
JIMBO
Captain, l i s t e n —
Wingate holds up his hand. He's not finished yet.
WINGATE
You want your own place, Jimbo? A
place you can put your name on?
f0^- This is your place. You made it
yours on the day you first walked
in here. And I'm willing tb make
that legal, based on a fair
price...and a steady job here.
Then maybe J could buy a new car
and take a trip aomewhere.
Wingate means it. Jimbo is speechless.
WINGATE
There's just ens thing: even though
you'll be the boss, you still gotta
call as "Captain."
JIMBO
(smiles and salutes)
Ays, ays, Captain!
CUT TO:
EXT. WINGATE'6 CAFE - DAY
A CRANE hoists a large wooden sign into FRAME which says
"JIMBO'S" in bright red block letters on white...and
/0^ onto the signpost, replacing the old "EAT" sign.
f :
 42

AND WINGATE
Ht go up from the parking lot:
WINGATE
Looks good, Jimbo. Real good.
JIMBO
It'll do for now...but someday,
I'll put up a real sign, something
with personality, something with
style, something everyone'11
remember.
CUT TO:
JIMBO'S CAFE - EARLY MORNING
Closed. Jimbo, slone, sits en the hood of his car in
tbe parking lot, hunched over a aketch pad. He has
drawn 2 concentric stars with his name in the
center—an idea for a aign.
Jiabo tears it off, crumbles it up and throws it to the
ground, with a dozen other crumpled sheets.
CUT TO:
4
OT. JIMBO'S CAFE - NIGHT
Night. Closed. Now, Wingate is cleaning up and Jimbo
is doing the books.
Jimbo seems puzzled as he does some calculations.
JIMBO
Cap, look at these figures. We're
selling mostly burgers. Am I
crazy, or would we be better off
nat selling turkey, chicken and
roast beef? We throw sway more
than we sell.
Wingate looks over the figures.
WINGATE
You'rs not crazy.
CUT TO:
 43

J^^-H. 3HT. J I M B O ' S CAFE - DAY

Stiaao and W i n g a t e raise s N E W MENU B O A R D into p l a c e . It
^features a mouth-watering painting of a Double J i m b o
Bferger, and a list of t h e new, streamlined menu i t e m s :
2£abo Burger, Double Jimbo Burger, F r e nch Fries, Fresh
XSe, S o d a s , Coffee and M i l k .

CUT T O :
INT. M E A T PACKING P L A N T
Jaiabo examines a hanging side of b e e f . W i t h h i m i s a
SEAT PACKER i n w h i t s coat w i t h c l i p b o a r d .
MEAT PACKER
If y o u ' r e just gonna g r i n d i t f o r
hamburger, y o u c a n u s e a c h e a p e r
g r a d e . N o one'11 know.

JIMBO
I'll k n o w .
CUT T O :

XNT. J I M B O ' S CAFE - DAY

Business h o u r s . T h e place is p a c k e d w i t h p e o p l e
/**\ standing, w a i t i n g for s t o o l s . 0

Jimbo is involved in his usual grill acrobatics, while

Wingate is waiting the counter. Wingate clears some
plates and dumps them in the dish water. The supply of
clean plates near Jimbo is dwindling.
WINGATE
If business stays this good, you're
either gonna have to hire a dish
washsr or buy aore plates.
jiabo looks at the hugs piIs of dirty dishes and the
short stack of clean ones.
JIMBO
Ws'll buy aors platss.
CUT TO:
WINGATE
serving a Double Jimbo on a PAPER PLATE.
Then he cleans up after 2 other customers by simply
tossing their plates in the trash.
f
/** ,. . CUT TO:
 44

^*v EXT. JIMBO'S CAFE - NIGHT

Late. RAIN descends in sheets. 'Jimbo's is closed, but
the DeSoto is out back, and through the dimly lit window
we see Jimbo hunched over the counter. ...asleep?

INT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT

Jimbo is indeed asleep. Again he's been working on
ideas for a sign, and he's surrounded by discarded
sketches, on the counter and the floor: his name between
the halves of a bun; "J" turning into an arrow, his name
in a circle, etc.
Jimbo dozes while rain patters against the window.
CUT TO:
MORNING
Sunlight streams thru the clouds and thru the window.
Jimbo stirs, opens his eyes, stretches.

EXT. JIMBO'S - MORNING t

Jimbo steps outside, avoiding the puddles in the parking

lot, and looks at the new day.

IN THE SKY
is a perfect RAINBOW, arching across the heavens.

JIMBO
gazes at it. Then his face lights up with s revelstion.
JIMBO
Thank you, Lord.
CUT TO:
 45

JIMBO'S - LATE DUSK/NIGHT

f.
CLOSE ON AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX in Jimbo's hands.
Sbere i% a "Main" knife switch, and 3 smaller switches; an
extension cable runs out of the box, and back into the
cafe.
WIDEN as MR. SYKES, a contractor, explains the operation
of it to JIMBO.
SYKES
This here's your main. You throw
her first, then you throw your other
3, and that'a all there is to her.
JIMBO
Looks easy enough.
We now see that a SMALL CROWD, perhaps 40 or 50 people, is
gathered in the parking lot. Included srs WINGATE,
CHESTER, BALSON and other faces we have seen, in Jimbo's
before—regular customers.
Jimbo faces them and raises the control box with a
flourish.
JIMBO
Folks, everybody... Before I turn
this thing on, I want to than*
everybody for being here. This is
a big moment for ae and, well, I'a
very flattered you all think enough
of ae to celebrate it.
I want to thank the Captain here
for everything he's done, and Mr..
Sykes for figuring out how to build
this thing...and all you people for
eating here in the first place,
which is the whole point of why
we're here. Oh, and I also want to
thank a fellow named Moses Johnson,
wherever he Bay be, for helping ae
get here. And that goes for the
good Lord up above, too.
(gestures st the sign)
That's ay name up there. It's big,
'causs l»a a show-off and I want the
whole world to know who I -am.
Laughter from the crowd.
(CONTINUED)
 46

CONTINUED:
«• •».
JIMBO
But it's also up there because I
want everyone to know that-I'm proud
of this place, and of what I do, and
that I personally stand behind the
quality of our food, now, and
always.
All right, lst's take a look at
this thing! On threeI one...
The crowd joins in.
JIMBO AND CROWD
Two... THREE!
Jimbo throws the sain, and then the first switch.

EXT. THE NEW SIGN - NIGHT

A BIG BRAND NEW SIGN hums, thsn sparkles to life! It is
spectacular!
First a HUGE NEON RAINBOW lights up, with color bands of
red, yellow, green and blue, arching over the parking lot
/£5&*V
and into the roof of the cafe. 4

The colors come on in succession, then go dark, then all

cone on together; then the cycle repeats.
There are "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from the crowd.

JIMBO
throws the second switch.

ON THE SIGN,
the neon-outlined iaage of a Double Jimbo Burger hanging
down from the rainbow's apex lights up.
The bun is yellow, the lettuce green, the tomato red, and
the burger brown. It looks good enough to eat, and atays
* lit steadily.

JIMBO
throws the last switch, and on
 47

THE SIGN
jjjiflW-.-1*,
* •
"JIMBO'S" outlined in white neon atop the rainbow, lights
up. The letters are filled with sequentially flashing
incandescents, giving a feeling of motion reminiscent of
Times Square.
The crowd APPLAUDS.

JIMBO
is in heaven. He walks around it, with the colors of the
sign playing across his face.
We hear comments from the crowd: "spectacular,"
"incredible," "Just like the 4th of July."
CHESTER
You shoulda had a brass band here
tonight, Jimbo!
JIMBO
A man can't hire a brass band for
himself, Chester. It's just not
done.
CHESTER 0*
j$wffft\ Well, give us some notice next time.
JIMBO
I'm not exactly planning on a "next
time."
Jimbo again looks up at his sign.
wingate watches him looking at it. Hs steps over to
Jimbo.
WINGATE
So? Did it turn out the way you'd
hoped?
JIMBO
Alaost, Cap. Alaost. Only ons
other thing would have Bade it
perfect.
We hold a beat, then
CUT TO:

/S5&&X
 46

/jSS^v
DTT. A NICE RESTAURANT - NIGHT.
A "Dinner and Dancing" place, with live music.
Jimbo and Carol Ann, dressed up, are dancing to a slow
number. Both are a bit uncomfortable and they keep a
respectful distance from one another as they dance.
CAROL ANN
I was sfraid I Bight not aee you
again.
JIMBO
This is hard for ae, Carol Ann.
It's not like I'm just visiting with
an old frisnd...
CAROL ANN '
(wanting to believe it herself)
But you are.
JIMBO
I wish that's all it was.
CAROL ANN
Really?
He looks into her eyes. He can't lie to her, or hiaself.
JIMBO
No.
He wants to pull her closer...heVstarts to...but he can't
quite allow hiaself to. He sighs.
CAROL ANN
I can't tell you how aany times I
wanted to drive to San Berdoo and
drop in for a hamburger..•
I guess I never could quite
convince ayself it was a good idea.
This aakes hia relax a little.
JIMBO
You ahould aee ay new aign, Carol
Ann. I'a ao proud of it.
CAROL ANN
I'd like to aee it, Jimmy.'
(shyly, unsurs)
Would it be all right if I dropped
in some time?
(CONTINUED)
 49

J0fl&V-

CONTINUED:

JIMBO
You know, you're the only person who
ever called ae "Jimmy." My Mom
never even called me that. Always
"James."
CAROL ANN
I like "Jimmy." "Jimmy" is you. It
fits you better than "Jimbo."
JIMBO
"Jimbo" has a great ring to it.
"Eat at Jimmy's." How would that
sound? Ordinary. But "Eat at
Jimbo's, Have a Jimbo Burger..."
That's got personality. Style.
Flair. Rolls right off the tongue,
and it looks great en the sign.
CAROL ANN
I can't dance with a sign...
(very intimately)
Jimmy.
Their eyes are locked and the moment is inescapable. He
pulls her to him. They kiss, long and passionately.
CUT TO:

INT. A MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Although the room is not a "cheap aotel rooa," it doesn't
exactly carry an air of grand respectability.
Jimbo and Carol Ann are in bed together, in post-coital
reflection.
JIMBO
I never knew you could feel ao great
and ao terrible both at the aame
time.
Her expression indicates ehe shares these sentiments. She
stares at her wedding ring for a moment, then shuts bsr
eyes as if that could shut out the pain. She covers the
.ring with her right band.
CAROL ANN
I'B acared, Jimmy. I'm so seared.
(CONTINUED)
 50

OPaiSUED:
JIMBO
Me, too. I know if we see each
other again, this'll be easier...
and the next time, easier still, and
a fsw more times after that, it'll
be so easy that we won't even think
about it.
(beat)
And that really acares Be.
He takes her hand and caresses it.
JIMBO
(continuing)
Having you like this hurts, Carol...
(fiddles with her ring)
...and not having you at all hurts,
too. But not having you hurts less
because I can blame somebody else.
The pain isn't ay fault.
(a beat)
At least I can tell ayself that.
CAROL ANN
And I tell ayself that aarriage
isn't supposed to be like this, I
think about walking out, or '
divorce...but those words keep
coming back, the words I said in a
church, before God: "In sickness and
in health, for better or worse."
"Or Worse." They had to put "or
worse" in the vows. Whoever wrote
that aust have never been aarried.
JIMBO
I can't tell you what to do, Carol
Ann. All I know is, I can't do
this, and we can't "just be
friends."
CAROL ANN
(a beat)
Thanks, Jimmy.
He looks at her, not understanding.
CAROL ANN
(answering his look)
For making a decision. I don't know
if I would have been strong enough
to.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
 51

CGtISftUED: 2
yjfltf**V

CAROL ANN (cont'd)

(sighs)
I guess I'd better not drop in for
that hamburger after all.
JIMBO
(smiles, correcting her)
Jimbo Burger.
She smiles back.
CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN - DAY

Jimbo saunters somewhat aimlessly along the railroad
traces on the side of town.
Not far away is a WATER TOWER several stories tall. It
has been defaced near the top in huge red painted letters,
"JOHRTY THE C, '54." Different gray patches on the tank
indicate it has been painted over many times, and a
PAINTER, about 35. in coveralls, is on the lower walkway
now trying to do just that.
Jimbo watches as the Painter attaches an extension pole to
his paint roller, but he's only able to obliterate the
bottom third. He shakes his head wondering how he's going
to reach those letters and paint them over.
JIMBO
(calling up to him)
"Johnny the C" Bust be quite an
acrobatJ
PAINTER
Damned kid austa climbed up on the
roof and lowered hiaself down with a
rope. Guess I'll have to bring a
ladder up here.
He starts down the water tower ladder. Bis truck is
parked below.
JIMBO
You sort of have to admire hia,
though. Putting his nans up there,
letting everybody know who he is...
The Painter coaes down and gives Jimbo a look.
(CONTINUED)
 52-54

j0^\
CONTINUED:

PAINTER
Mister. I quit being impressed by
that kinda thing when I was 12. My
old man and I were walking through
this graveyard, and there was this
great bio tombstone, biggest one
there, with angels and lions on it,
austa been 15 feet tall. And I
said, "That guy austa been pretty
important." And my old man said,
"If he was important, he wouldn't
need a stone like that for people to
remember him."
JIMBO
(a beat; thinks, nods)
Still, you can't tell ae you never
wanted to put your name on
something...to believe you have a
little piece of immortality?
PAINTER
(smiles)
I've got my little piece of
Immortality: ay kids. 2 boys and a
little girl. I guess you don't have
any kids... ? #'
JIMBO
I'm not married.
PAINTER
Find a woman, have some kids.
Greatest thing in the world, kids.
Nothing else comes close.
(looks up at the tower)
Old "Johnny the C" '11 just have to
find his immortality aoaewhere else.
(to Jimbo)
I hope you find yours.
The painter turns and heads for his truck, then, as an
afterthought, calls back to Jimbo.
PAINTER
And k i d — I don't want to aee you
out here with a paintbrush.
Jimbo smiles. He looks up st "Johnny the C" thoughtfully.
JIMBO
So long Johnny.
Jimbo walks off. #
 55

ON JIMBO'S SIGN - NIGHT

sign is lit up. We TILT-DOWN'to the parking
»-full of cars, with constant in and out traffic as
customers move to and fro, many with take-out orders in
And many are eating in their ears.
a familiar RED BUICK CONVERTIBLE pulls in: MIKE

res at the dazzling sign, mesmerized in open-mouthed

awe.. He aits in his idling car until a CAR HORN brings
him back to reality. Realizing he's .holding up traffic,
be pulls forward and finds a parking space.

TBT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT ^

JiaeVo is busy flipping burgers while ROBBIE and PHIL,
TBD 18-YEAR OLD BOYS work the counter, and they're
working hard, calling out orders, serving burgers and
ringing up sales. Wingate isn't here tonight.
BURKS enters.
4*
A few people are waiting for seats. The stool near the
cash register has been removed, and a sign hangs from
above, "TAKE OUT ORDERS ONLY." Several people are
waiting in line there.
Burns takes it all in: the limited menu, the paper
plates, and particularly the constant RING of the cash
register. He's impressed.
Finally a stool opens up and Burns seats hiaself.
ROBBIE
Yes, sir?
BURNS
Where's your boss tonight?
ROBBIE
Say, Jimbo1
Jimbo turns and does a double take upon seeing Burns, a
reaction which Burns doesn't quite understand.
Jimbo doesn't move froa the grill but speaks loud enough
for Burns to hear hia.
 56

JIMBO
Take his order, Robbie. We don't
want Mr. "3rd Degree" Burns to Bake
a sales pitch on an empty stomach.
Sana smiles and givss Jimbo a nod.
BURNS
You remember ae, eh? I like that.
(to Robbie)
Double Jimbo, fries and coffee.
ROBBIE
(calls it out)
D.J. and fries!
Bcebie brings Burns the coffee.
Barns watches as Phil takes 2 dirty mugs and puts them
is a specially designed rack which holds-an even dozen.
Fail takes the entire rack, dips it in suds, then rinses
it in running water: 12 mugs washed in 12 seconds,
tin, Burns is impressed.
_ Mow Burns watches Jimbo flip burgers.
^ BURNS .
(calls to Jimbo) '
Mind if I ask you a question?
JIMBO
You won't talk me out of paper
towels.
BURNS
You've got everything running like
clockwork here, except that grill.
All of that dancing and flipping
and atuff you do, what'a the point
of all that?
JIMBO
That, Mr. Burns, is Styls.
BURNS
Styls, eh? Well, wouldn't they
cook faster if you just let 'em
eit?
JIMBO
4»N They wouldn't taste as good.
 57

JsW^***, BURNS
Go en. It'd be the .same Beat. Why
wouldn't they taste as good?
JIMBO
Whenever you give anything a little
extra attention, a little aore
caring, it'a always batter.
BURNS
But you eould cut your cooking time
by 10, 20 percent. That aeans
profits.
JIMBO
I won't sacrifice quality for
profits. That's why ay customers
keep coming back.
Be finishes the Double Jimbo and serves Burns
personally.
JIMBO
You just taste that and aee what I
aean.
^ Burns takes a bite. He nods.
BURNS
It's good. You're right, I'll be
back...
Jimbo nods with smug satisfaction and returns to the
grill.
BURNS
(continuing, under his breath)
...but not for the food.
The cash register rings again. Burns surs does liks the
sound of that.
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S - DAY
Lunch time. Jimbo's is doing plenty of businsss.

ACROSS THE STREET

V
BURNS sits on the rear deck of his parked convertible,
watching cars'going in and out of Jimbo'a. He keeps
track of tlie number with pen and clipboard.
 58

INT. JIMBO'S - DAY

/*"*• Robbie and Phil are working the. counter, Jimbo tends the
1
. grill and Wingate stares out the window at Burns.
WINGATE
What's he up to, Jimbo?
JIMBO
Trouble.
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT
The sign is lit; business is brisk.
Burns is still across ths street, keeping track of
traffic.

INT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT

Robbie is now looking out the window at Burns.
ROBBIE
(shaking his head)
Maybe we should call the cops on
him, for loitering.
JIMBO
He's not hurting our business. We
can't do anything if he's not
hurting our business.
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S .- DAY
Lunchtise sgain.
A BLACK LINCOLN CONTINENTAL parks in the lot. 2
well-to-do MIDDLE-AGED MEN in dark suits get out;
they're paunchy end stuffy looking, liks Bankers.
They look over Jimbo's with curiosity, exchange a look,
then enter.

• INT. JIMBO'S ^ DAY

The STUFFY MEN are quite out of place h e r e — w e get the
impression that neither has ever had a hamburger in his
life. Rather than get in line for a aeat or take-out,
they remain neaf the door and simply observe.
 59

Robbie and Phil exchange a look upon seeing them;

Wingate is curious too and nudges' Jimbo at the grill.
Jimbo shrugs.
Wingate is bothered by their presence. He watches them
watching for a few more moments, then clears his throat
loudly and gets their attention.
WINGATE
Would you gentlemen care to order
today, or are you just waiting for
the floor show to start?
The two aen exchange a look, then turn and exit.
WINGATE
What the hell's going on around
here?
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT
The lot is empty; the lit sign shuts down. Through the
windows we can see Jimbo inside ready to clpse up.
Burns' RID CONVERTIBLE pulls in. 4

INT. JIMBO'S
Jimbo, alone here, turns and see Burns approaching.
He's been expecting this, and he unlocks the door and
lets him in.
JIMBO
You've caused quite a lot of
speculation around here, Mr. Burns.
BURNS
Call as Miks.
JIMBO
No, "Mr. Burns" is a whole lot
easisr for as.
Burns shrugs and hops on a etool.
BURNS
I'll get right to the point,
Jimbo...
* JIMBO
Please, call ae Mr. Boatman.
 60

Barns knows he's in for a hard time. He swallows,

trying to take it as well as he, can.
•^i .
BURNS
Mr. Boatman, you've got something
here which can make us both very
wealthy. It's what I like to call
a "Million Dollar Idea."
JIMBO
Let ae guess. You want to open up
a Jimbo's hamburger stand on the
other side of t o w n — n o , w a i t — i n
Riversids. Right?
BURNS
I want to opsn up 300 Jimbo's
Hamburger Stands all across
America.
Jiabo laughs.
JIMBO
You're an ambitious son-of-a-bitch,
aren't you?
("** BURNS ,
I'a not going to get wealthy off of
one hamburger stand, and neither
are you.
JIMBO
Wealth was never ay intention.
BURNS
Just hear ae out. For your part,
you won't have to do a thing. I'll
give you a check right now for 500
dollars, and 10 percent of every
dollar ay business makes, in
exchange for that, I become the
exclusive franchiser of Jiabo'a
hamburger atands. That Beans the
name, the rainbow sign, the limited
aenu idea, the Jimbo and double
Jimbo burger...plus a few of ay own
ideas to increase profits.
JIMBO
(sarcastic)
Naturally.
 61

BURN'S *
You see, I know I can open a stand
very much like this one with double
the sales and triple the profit.
Using that unit as a working
example, I'll have 300 franchises
sold all ever the country in 5
years and your naae'll be on every
one of 'em. My cut'll be 5
percent, you'll get 10 percent of
that, which according to ay
arithmetic means that by I960
you'll be Baking over a quarter
Billion dollars a year.

Jimbo smiles and shakes his head.

JIMBO
I could increase profits here.
myself. I could charge for coffee
refills, leave the tomato off the
sandwich, and use a cheaper grade
of beef. But for ae, more profits
J0&?*\ isn't the point.
(points to his sign outside)
You see, that's ay name on that
sign out there. My name. And I
want it to stand for something:
quality.
BURNS
Jimbo, I'm not here to tell you
how to run this placs. It's yours.
Run it however you want. I'a here
to pay you for the privilege of
running ay places the way I want.
JIMBO
Then what do you need ae for? Open
up your own atand, put your own
•name on it and keep all the profits
yourself.
BURNS
And call it "Burns Hamburgers?"
That sounds appetising, doesn't it?
Or "Mikes?"
(shakes his head)
Boring.' Who'd want to eat a "Mike
Burger?"
. . (MORE)
 62

CCBTINUED
BURNS, (cont'd)
Look, I'm not a creative man. 1
could never come up with anything
with the pizazz of "Jimbo's" and
that rainbow. I can't lay an egg
either, but I do know a good one
from a bad one. And "Jimbo's" is a
good one, a winner—the whole
package here. I can smell it.
Bottom line, Mr. Boatman: You've
got something I want, and I'a
willing to pay for it. And if you
don't like ay arithmetic...
(a beat, smilss)
...I'm not sverse to looking at
yours.
JIMBO
My name's not for sale, Mr. Burns,
not to you or anybody else. It's
my name, and it belongs here, with
me, where I can keep an eye on it
and stay proud of it.
Burns looks at him for a long moment. «
4
BURNS
You don't like me very much, do
you...Jimbo?
JIMBO
Not particularly, no.
BURNS
What is it? My persistence? That
I won't take no for an answer? My
clothes?
Jimbo turns sway. He doesn't want to get into this,
JIMBO
We just want different things,
that's all.
BURNS
Ysah, but that's not the reason.
He unconsciously taps his left hand on the counter: his
wedding ring makes a sharp sound. Jimbo notices it, and
this aakes hia Bore uncomfortable.
 63

JIMBO ..
Mr. Burns, we really*have nothing
more to discuss.
BURNS
Everything I just told you, the
whole plan...I laid it eut for aoae
bankers this aorning. You austa
aeen 'em come in today—atuffy
guys in dark suits. This afternoon
they told ae I was nuts. "Nobody
franchises hamburgers." Maybe
they're right. If they are, you'll
have the pleasure of watching ae
fall.flat on ay ass and walking
away with ay 500 bucks: If they're
wrong, you'll be a Billionaire by
the time you're 35. Think about
it.
(stands)
I'll be back.
Be starts for the door.
JIMBO
I told you: ay name's not for sale,
Mr Burns. *
BURNS
I'll be back.
Be exits, and we hold on an uneasy Jiabo.
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S - MORNING
Pre-business hours. Jiabo and Wingate are aweeping up
the parking lot. They've been talking.
WINGATE
What if he wasn't married to your
girl friend? Would you go into
business with hia then?
JIMBO
Nope.
WINGATE
Then what's the problea?
 64

JIMBO . • ..
The problem is, I'm dealing with a
man who won't take no for an
answer. He believes in this, I
could see it in his eyes. He's got
a passion. And aen with passion
are tough to discourage. I know
because I'a one of 'em.
WINGATE
Then take his money and let hia
fail.
JIMBO
I'a not ao aura he'd fail.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE NIGHT SKY - A STORM
A BOLT OF LIGHTNING flashes across the night aky;
THUNDER CRACKS; rain pours.
TILT DOWN TO JIMBO'S, shining like a beacon in the
night. But bad weather means bad business:
4
a single car
is parked on the lot. 4

Now a '52 FORD pulls in and a FIGURE IN A RAINCOAT

rushes toward the door.

INT. JIMBO'S - STORMY NIGHT

Jimbo is flipping a burger for the lone customer at the
counter; wingate and Robbie are on duty.
The door opens and the figure enters: a woman. She
pulls off her rain hood: it's CAROL ANN.
CAROL ANN
•Jimmy! Jimmy!
Jimbo turns and does a double-take. He's so surprised
he nearly aisses the burger he'a flipping.
JIMBO
Carol Ann! What a r e —
CAROL ANN
Jimmy we have to talk.
a
• CUT TO:
 65

CASH REGISTER
Tingling up the sale. Wingate gives the customer his

AND CAROL ANN

tall at the far end of the counter.
CAROL ANN
You aean you're nafc going into
business with him?
JIMBO
Of course not.
CAROL ANN
Even if he offers you a thousand
dollars and 20 percent?
JIMBO
He said 500 dollars and 10 percent.
CAROL ANN
He's convinced you'll say yes if he
doubles it.
r
JIMBO
I'm not going into business with
him, not st any price.
CAROL ANN
(sighs relief)
Thank God.
He had ae completely convinced
he'd eell you, Jimmy. I've never
aeen hia want anything ao auch, and
I couldn't have handled it: hearing
your nane all the time, knowing
you'd be around...
• I was afraid aaybe you'd do it
just to get back at Be or
aomething...
JIMBO
Carol Ann, I wouldn't do that to
you.
CAROL ANN
Honest?
, * JIMBO
Honest.
 66

CAROL ANN
Promise?
.• ••
JIMBO
(a beat; very seriously)
I promise.
VOICE (O.S.)
You promise what?
Jimbo looks up; Carol Ann turns.
It's BURNS, standing just inside the door. He looks
lack and forth between his wife and Jimbo. He's angry.
Carol Ann looks at.him. She'a afraid of hia.
Jiabo stays cool. He looks Burns right in the eye.
JIMBO
I promised her I wouldn't go into
business with you, not at any
price.
Burns focuses on his wife, his eyes narrowing with
seething rage.
*0F*\.
BURNS '
Haven't I told you never to
interfere in ay business?
She doesn't answer.
BURNS
Haven't I?
She looks away.
BURNS
Goddammit!1
He slaps her hard across the face.
Jimbo is outraged. He rushes Burns, grabs bis and decks
hia, aending hia sprawling on the floor.
A moment of quiet.
Burns rubs his jsw end climbs to his feet, pointing an
accusing finger.at Jimbo.

A0X*\
 67

BURNS
You stay out of this., "Jimbo."
This is between me and her. It
doesn't concern you.
JIMBO
Anything that goes on in ay place
concerns ae, Mister Burns.
You want to know why I don't like
you? Beeause you treat her like
dirt, that's why, and she deserves
a whole lot better.
Now you get the hell out of here
and don't ever come back.
BURNS
(to Carol Ann)
Are you coming with ae?
She rubs her faee where he hit her.
CAROL ANN
The only place I'a going with you
is Divorce Court.
Burns looks at the two of them and nods. A slight smile
{^ crosses his lips. 4
BURNS
Fine. That'll be just fine.
You know something? I'm glad
this happened. I'm glad. Because
when I'm rich, I won't have to
shars it with either one of you.
Burns turns and walks out.
Jiabo holds Carol Ann and watches hia laavs.
WINGATE
.He won't be back, Jiabo.
JIMBO
I'B not so surs.
They watch as Burns' Buick disappears into the rainy
night accompanied by the sound of ROLLING THUNDER.
FADE TO BLACK.

/iSWN.
 68

FADE IN:
EXT. JIMBO'S - DUSK
A beautiful California sunset. In Jimbo's parking space
is a shiny new green '57 CHEVY: it's*1957, and there are
a few other cars of that vintage in the lot.
INT. JIMBO'S - DUSK
CLOSE ON THE SIGN CONTROL BOX. A MALE HAND with a
wedding ring reaches into frame and throws the switches
on.
The hand belongs to JIMBO; he watches thru the window as
the sign lights up.
JIMBO
It's been 3 years and I atill get a
kick out of that.
He's talking to CAROL ANN, now in a WAITRESS UNIFORM.
CAROL ANN
(sweetly)
You're just easily amused, that's
c all.
I
She kisses him lightly on the ear. She looks better
now, possibly even younger, validating the idea that a
happy marriage makes for good health.
A B L A C K MAN now enters, looks around cautiously, then
spots Jimbo. We don't see his face. He has a FOLDED
NEWSPAPER in his hand.
BLACK MAN
Jiabo? Jia-BOl
Jimbo turns around and does a double-take upon eeeing
his old friend, LUTHER ADAMS.
JIMBO
Luther? My God, Luther Adaas! So
you finally made it to California!
How are you, buddy?
Carol Ann! I want you to meet ay
old army buddy, Luther Adams. My
wife, Carol Ann.
LUTHER
(to Jiabo)
6b you finally get the girl!
 69

y$Wy
CAROL ANN
My husband's told ae' all about you,
Luther. Welcome.
LUTHER
He told ae a lot about you, too,
aa'am. Congratulations.
You know, I had a helluva tiae
trackin' you down, Ban. I finally
ended up getting your address from
the army. I mean, I was seein'
your name on burger stands all over
the place, but nobody's ever heard
of you. What's the story?
JIMBO
What burger stands? What are you
talkin' about?
LUTHER
I'a talkin' about this..
(hands him the newspaper, showing
him the back page)
I couldn't believe it wasn't you.
But I guess it ain't.
Jimbo stares in astonishment at the back page. We can
see the masthead on the front: "The Fresno Sun." His
eyes narrow with rising anger as his reads.

INSERT - NEWSPAPER
A half-page ad: "JIMBO'S HAMBURGERS proudly announces
the GRAND OPENING Of our 2ND FRESNO STORE!" This is
followed by an address and an illustration of a Jimbo's
stand, similar to Jimbo's own, with the Rainbow sign
duplicated almost exactly.
Below that, "Service and Quality, Coast to Coast."

BACK TO SHOT
JIMBO
Fresno? This is in Fresno? You've
eeen it?
LUTHER
Yep. And Texas, Illinois, Ohio.
That's what made ae come lookin'
•• for you. Figured you were doin'
real well, and I was...well, I was
kinda looking for a job.
 70

JIMBO
(still staring at the advertisement)
You're hired...
LUTHER
So then that operation doesn't have
anything to do with you...?
JIMBO
It does now.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Tbe '57 Chevy speeds past a mileage marker: Fresno -
170.

UTT. JIMBO'S MOVING CAR - NIGHT

Jiabo drives intently thru the night, his face lit by
the occasional headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
CUT TO:
BLUE SKY...and we TILT DOWN TO t
EXT. JIMBO'S OF FRESNO - DAY
Tbe Fresno Jimbo's is a mass produced version of Jimbo's
original stand. It's self-service only and you can't go
inside. Customers simply step up to a window, buy their
food and eat in their cars. The building itself is
white tile with interspersed rainbow stripes.
Everything is spotlessly clean and antissptie.
The sign is a nsar perfect replica of the San Berdoo
sign (but without ths "Tiaes Square" incandescents), and
the rainbow aotif is carried over on the trash cans,
window decals, take-out bags and food wrappers, etc.
And, like its San Berdoo cousin, it's doing one hell of
a business.
JIMBO'S CAR pulls into FRAME and Jimbo steps out. Be
surveys the scene, especially the sign with his name on
it. He is not pleased.
 71

33SB8)
walks to the building and looks through the windows at
the operation. It's a model of assembly line efficiency
and standardization. 2 dozen burgers sizzle on the
grillr a light flashes to tell the cook to flip
-them...and he works without style, like a aachine.
He places the cooked patties on a row of buns, laid out
vertically on a long tray.
The next guy puts this tray under a eondiaent dispenser,
which puts catsup and Bustard on each patty. He places
2 slices of pickle on each and passes the board to the
next fellow. This lad puts bun halves on top and wraps
each burger in waxed paper. (These "Jimbo Burgers" are
aade without tomato.) The kid then shoves the tray thru
a window to the front where a girl places the wrapped
burgers into compartments under heat lamps.
Jiabo has a look at the menu: Jimbo burgers are 15
cents, Cheese Jimbos 16 cents and Double Jimbos 34
cents. Fries are 15, drinks are 10 and 20.
Jiabo reluctantly gets in line. It aoves quickly: with
everything aade in advance, it's truly fast food.
Jiabo reaches the window and places his order.
JIMBO
Double...
(nearly chokes on the word)
...Jimbo, fries, coffee.
GIRL
62 cents with tax.
Jimbo pays her end has his order in less than 10
seconds. He steps away from the window and takes a
close look at the bag it'a in.

INSERT - BAG
Below the rainbow emblem it says in small print,
"Licensed from Jimbo's Hamburgers System, Inc.; San
Jose, California.

JIMBO
notes this. He reaches in the bag and unwraps the
Double Jimbo. *He lifts the bun, looks over the insides,
shakes his liead, then takes a bite. We hold on his face
a aoment', then
CUT TO:
 72

f*" . INT. A BOWLING ALLEY

A BOWLING BALL slams into a set'of pins: STRIKE i:. lane
8!
JIMBO has thrown it. He picks up another ball and
throws a STRIKE in lane 9, and then one in lane 10. As
he walks away, we aee that he has thrown strikes in
lanes 1 thru 7 as well.
Jimbo hands the cashier a twenty and leaves a group of
spectators in speechless awe.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
An elevator opens and Jimbo steps out. He has a day's
growth of beard and his clothes are soiled—he hasn't
changed since he left San Bernadlno. He goes down the
hall and finds a door with the rainbow logo on it:
"Headquarters, Jimbo's Hamburgers System, Inc." Jiabo
enters.

INT. OUTER OFFICE - DAY

On the walls are illustrations of Jiabo*s Hamburger
Stands.
Several secretaries have desks in a common area. Jimbo
goes up to the one who is in front of a closed door with
the "MIKE BURNS, PRESIDENT" on it.
JIMBO
Mike Burns, please.
SECRETARY
I'a aorry, he's in a Besting.
JIMBO
-Where is he, through that door?
SECRETARY
You can't go in there, sir.
Jimbo goes right in.

jfffi^V
 73

^ 3SH. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY

v
33a&o enters the nicely furnished office where MIKE
BU2NS is discussing something with HOWARD HEMKER, a
csoservative, balding little weasel of a man in
pixstripes, and LOU GREENSFELDER, a more gregarious
cthsmber of commerce type.
Burns' secretary runs in sfter Jiabo.
BURNS
Look, Howard, I don't care what
they think on wall S t r e e t —
SECRETARY
(indicating Jiabo)
I'a sorry, sir, I tried to stop
him...
Barns sees Jimbo end recognizes him immediately. The
other men are a bit startled at the unshaven intruder.
BURNS
It's all right, Doris.
(as she exits)
Hello, Jimbo. I've been expecting
r^ you...for about a year.
JIMBO
I'll bet you have.
BURNS
Oh, ay business partners, Howard
Hemker and Lou Greensfelder. This
is Mr. Boatman—Lb*. Jiabo.
JIMBO
(coldly)
Hello.
HEMKER
(uneasily)
"Yes, we've heard about you, Mr.
Boatman.
GREENSFELDER
We'll continue this later then,
Mike?
Burns nods and the two men get up to leave.

{ I -still aay It'a too risky, Mike.

*. I vote we play it aafe, protect
what we have.
 74

y^P^X

GREENSFELDER
You always vote to' p}tfy it safe,
Howard.
Greenffelder and Kemker exit.
Nov Jimbo glares at Burns. There is a tense moment of
silence.
BURNS
So, are you going to hit ae again?
JIMBO
I should, Burns. I should beat you
to a bloody pulp. I'd like that.
But I'll try to be civilized
instead.
(a beat)
Stop using ay name.
Burns gestures to a U.S. map on a wall which indicates
the locations of Jimbo's stands: many in the aidwest,
Florida, Texas and California...none in New England.
other walls display a number of photographs * of Burns
shaking hands with dignitaries, at groundbreaking
ceremonies, posing with cheeks, etc. /
BURNS
I have 74 stores across the
country. You don't expect ae to
just stop using the name...?
Jimbo takes a moment, then sighs.
JIMBO
NO.
(a beat)
On ay way here, I asked ayself what
expected to happen when I got here.
But I was so aad, I couldn't come
up with an answer.
He sits down, his hard line softoning.
BURNS
I was hoping you Bight be here to
collect your aoney.
JIMBO
My.aoney?
•(then remembering)
What, the 500 dollars you offered
ae?
 75

\
V BURNS
It comes to a little. Bore than
that.
Barns pulls a BANK BOOK out of his desk drawer and hands
it to Jimbo. Jimbo looks at it.

XBSIRT - BANK BOOK

Proa Bank of America. A savings account in the name of
James Boatman. Inside, a list of deposits. The last
entry reads "$54,260.20."

BACK TO SHOT
Jimbo is stunned.
BURNS —
10 percent of our take. It's
yours, Jimbo. Take it, let's shake
hands, go on home and I'll send you
a check every month.
How's Carol Ann?
JIMBO 4
4
(still astonished over the bank book)
Fine. We're very happy.
BURNS
I'm glad. I guess it was the best
thing for everybody.
JIMBO
And you, Mr. Burns? You're happy
too?
BURNS
Mike.
Yes. And as profits increase, ay
'happiness inereasss proportionally.
A long moment. Jiabo looks at the bank book again, than
back at Burns.
JIMBO
Mr. Burns—Hike...
I've got a watch at home, given
to Be by ay grandfather. The damn
thing doesn't run anymore, it
couldn't be worth aore than 20
bucks. (MORE)
 76

y*»s. CESOINUED

JIMBO (cont'd)
But it's been in ay family for 4
generations. If someone came into
ay house and took that watch, it'd
be stealing. If he took it and
left ae a 20 dollar bill, it would
atill be stealing. Even if he left
ae 50,000 dollars, it would still
be stsaling.
Jiabo tosses the bank book back onto Burns' desk.
BURNS
All right, now let ae tell you a
story.
Millions of years ago,' dinosaurs
walked the earth. Suddenly, the
climate changed, it got colder, and
the dinosaurs got killed off^every
last one of 'em. Nobody asked the
dinosaurs if they wanted the
climate to change. It just
happened.
j0&\. The climate of America is
changing, too. Cars go faster,
distances are shorter, people aove
around a lot Bore. Americans have
more leisure time, but they're in a
bigger hurry. And those people
need Jimbo's Hamburger stands. The
fact is, we're not really selling
food; we're selling service. Fast
service for people in a hurry.
JIMBO
And you think that'a good?
BURNS
(shrugs)
It's an opportunity, and there'a
aoney to be Bade froa it.
I believe the "fast food" stand
was an inevitabilty, as Inevitable
as airplanes or television.
JIMBO
Inevitable or not, you still atole
froa ae.
jf$*N,
 77

BURNS •'•
I saw an idea and I improved on it.
Just like somebody improved on the
bicycle by putting s motor on it
and calling it a aotorcycle.
For chrissakes, Jiabo, we're not
even in competition. Tell ae, is
your business hurting? Are less
people eating at your place now
than 2 years ago?
JIMBO
No, business is better than ever.
BURNS
So tell ae how I've damaged you?
You want to sue ae? Talk to a
lawyer. I know what he'll tell you
because I've talked to Bine:-if
you can't prove damages, you've got
no grounds. No ease.
JIMBO
Dammit, Burns, you stole my name
/%**>• and my sign and you're associating
it with that crap you call e "Jimbo
Burger."
BURNS
Your name? Well, let ae give you
the rest of the bad news: the name
"Jimbo's," the rainbow, the Double
Jimbo, all of that stuff, they're
now registered trademarks of
Jimbo's Hamburgers System,
Incorporated. They're ay legal
property. I could aue vou and win.
I don't want to, I hope I don't
have to, but I could.
JIMBO
(outraged)
That stinks. Burns. It goddamn
. stinks!
BURNS
It's good business, nothing more.
 78

JIMBO- . *
Tell ae, Mr. Burns, if you're so
right, if you're so goddamned
right, then why do you want to give
ae that aoney? To ease your
conscience? So you can sleep
better et night?
BURNS
I sleep very well, thank you. And
I want you to have that aoney
because I think you deserve it.
Just because soaething ia legally
right doesn't mean it's fair. And
I consider ayself s fair Ban.
JIMBO
You aean what's legally right isn't
always morally right. And aorally,
we both know you're a thief.""
BURNS
You want to bring aorality into
this? Then tell ae, Mr. Boatman,
how do you feel about adultery? Is
it morally right to sleep with
another man's wife? «
It's all Jimbo can do to keep from exploding, but Burns
has him on this one, and they both know it.
BURNS
Get off your high horse. Boatman.
It'll make your life a whole lot
easier. I haven't done anything ao
terrible, and you know it.
JIMBO
I'a gonna talk to a lawyer.
Jimbo walks out. Burns shakes his head and puts the
bank book back in the drawer.
BURNS
You're gonna loss.
CUT TO:
 79

W . JIMBO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Carnal Ann is in the double bed, ''listening to Jimbo as he
tabes off his clothes.
JIMBO
The lawyer confirmed everything
Burns said, and then he advised ae
to take Burns' aoney and change the
name of ay place so he can't sue
ae. My own name, and ay lawyer
tells to change it. I can't change
it, I can't. I've worked too
damned hard to let Burns take it
away froa ae on his own terms.
(a beat)
Am I up on some kinda high horse,
Carol Ann?
CAROL ANN
Yes. But I think you're right.
JIMBO
Yeah, I'm right. That and 39
cents'11 get me a Double Jimbo
Burger. I'd like to tear him
apart, that's what I'd like to do.
(*^ (gets into bed) /
So tell me something good...?
CAROL ANN
(smiles coyly)
I'm pregnant.
Jimbo's eyes light up. He's slated and dumbstruck.
JIMBO
You' r e — t h a t ' s — - v e i l ™ w h e n —
Finally he just throws his eras around hsr and hugs her.
CAROL ANN
I want you to promise ae one thing:
if it'a a boy, he's &p£ going to be
named "Jimbo Junior." I refuss to
have ay son named after a hamburger.
JIMBO
(smiles)
We couldn't call him "Jimbo"
anyway: Burns owns the name.
/ CUT TO:
 60

EXT. JIMBO'S - THE NEXT MORNING

•/S^'s,
Jimbo, Wingate and LUTHER are outside washing windows.
JIMBO
There was one more thing the lawyer
wanted to know. I didn't tell
Carol Ann beeauss...well, I
couldn't.
(a beat)
"What are you gonna do when Burns
decides to move into San Bernadino?
A long moment.
WINGATE
Maybe he won't.
JIMBO
Cap, 100,000 people live in this
town. Burns likes money too-much
to ignore a market like that.
He'll be back. It Bay take a year
or two or three, but he'll be back.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JIMBO'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT /
CLOSE ON A TV SET showing a 1960 CAR COMMERCIAL.
WIDER, revealing Carol Ann playing peek-a-boo with her
2-year old LINDA, and Jimbo cradling his infant son CARL
in his arms, singing him to sleep with "Dixie."
The house decor reflects suburban taste.
The DOORBELL RINGS. Carol Ann goes to answer it with
Linda tagging along.
It's BURNS. He wears an expensive suit; with the
deepening lines in his face, he's the picture of the
American success story. *
It's an awkward moment for both of them. Burns reacts
uneasily toward little Linda.
*
BURNS
Hello, Carol Ann.
CAROL ANN
Mike. You're looking well.
 81

BURNS
And you. Is he home?
"Sasto is already on his way over. He's "calm, easy;
after all, this aeeting was an inevitability.
JIMBO
This time I can aay I've been
expecting you. Care to Beet the
family?
BURNS
(very uncomfortable)
Well, uh...I...
CAROL ANN
Mike doesn't like children, Jimmy.
I told you that. He won't even
ride in an elevator with a kid.
This is a touchy subject for Burns, and he'd rather not
discuss it. Carol Ann diplomatically takes Carl from
Jiabo's arms and retreats with Linda.
BURNS
There's something we should «
discuss, Jimbo. Why don't we go
for a ride?
CUT TO:
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT
A spiffy ROLLS ROYCE cruises quietly along the
residential street.

INT. MOVING ROLLS ROYCE

It's CHAUFFEUR driven: Burns and Jiabo ait in the back
seat. Jiabo eyes the luxurious interior: it's equipped
with a bar and a phone.
BURNS
You ehould appreciate a car like
this. It's got style. -It's built
entirely by hand, and the pride in
workmanship is evident down to the
last nut and bolt. Of course, that
kind of quality is out of reach for
,---, nost folks, who have to be
satisfied with a Ford or a Chevy.
•"Ironic, isn't it? That I have the
Rolls and you have the Chevy?
 62

JIMBO
You didn't come down*.here to talk
about cars. So let ae guess:
you're planning on building a unit
or two here in town.
BURNS
Three. Maybe four.
JIMBO
Is that really necessary? Can't
you just forget about San Bernadino
and leave ae alone? I'a not
bothering you.
BURNS
It has nothing to do with you,
Jimbo. I just can't turn ay back
on a two Billion a year gross
market and leave it to ay —
competitors—McDonald's, Burger
King, Burger Chef...it's a big
business, and I've got stockholders
I'm responsible to now.
There's also a aore important
consideration that ay Board of
Directors brought to ay attention.
You see, if I allow you to continue
operating under the Jimbo's name,
using our registered trademarks, it
could give certain people ideas.
If one guy can get away with it,
then 2 can, and then 20 can. Of
eourse it's illegal, and we'd win
in court, but lawsuits are
expensive and they take time. I'm
proud that we've never been in
court over anything, and I'd like
to keep it that way.
JIMBO
So give ae legal permission to uss
ay own nans.
BURNS
Ws can't have anyone using the
Jimbo's name who isn't part of the
family. What if something happened
in your place...say, somebody
accidentally got food poisoning.
The publicity would hurt our whole
chain. (MORE)
 63

CONTINUED
r
1 BURNS, (cont'd)
Jimbo, I'm not asking you to shut
down. I just want you to take down
your sign and operate under a
different name. In exchange for
that, we've come up with a figure I
think you'll find very generous...
Burns produces a notepad and writes down a number. He
tears off the page and folds it.
JIMBO
And if I say no?
BURNS
As I said, you'rs brsaking the law.
You could lose everything. And I
mean everything. But with this...
(holds up the note paper) "*
...you've got enough to invest,
retire on, and take good care of
your family. Please, Jimbo, give
it some thought. And don't give ae
an answer until you show this to
Carol Ann.
4
JIMBO
All right.
Burns hands him the piece of paper. Jimbo opens it.

INSERT - NOTE PAPER

6300,000.00.

ON JIMBO'S FACE
He's staggered by the amount.
BURNS (O.S.)
I'a ataying et the Mission Inn in
Rivsrslde. I'll be there till
Thursday.

CUT TO:
 64

INT. JIMBO'S BREAKFAST ROOM • DAY

JIMBO, CAROL ANN, LUTHER and' WINGATE are seated around
the breakfast table having morning coffee. Jimbo's 2
XIDS are running around.
Jimbo has laid out the situation and Wingate is staring
at the piece of paper.
CAROL ANN
You're not gonna turn hia down,
Jimmy...?
JIMBO
I don't know yet. What do you guys
think?
LUTHER
300 thousand's a lot of aoney,
Jimbo...
WINGATE
Me, I don't get it. If he's so
right, if the law's on his side,
then why doesn't he just sue you?
His court costs couldn't come close
to this..• *
(indicates the paper) '
...and he'd be money ahead. That's
his overriding concern, right?
Money? So maybe he's bluffing.
JIMBO
Well, it sure couldn't hurt for ae
to talk to ay lawyer...
CAROL ANN
Jimmy, don't. Don't fool around.
Take his aoney and get it ever
with. It'a fair.
JIMBO
They're his terms, Carol Ann. He
gets what he wants at his pries and
that's Bffit fair.
CAROL ANN '
Quit being so self-righteous! He's
offering us a small fortune! Think
of our children!
f** ; JIMBO
To us it's s small fortune. To him
it's small change...a bargain.
 85

CAROL ANN
(**•• Jimmy, you can't beat him.
JIMBO
I know I can't beat him.* I just
want to hurt him s little. Give
his s bloody nose. If I have to
sell out, I'm selling out at B Y
price.
CUT TO:
EXT. MISSION INN - RIVERSIDE - NIGHT
One of the last of the great resort hotels, its old
grandeur is fading.
Jiabo's '57 Chevy pulls into the main circle. A DOORMAN
opens the door for him. Jimbo heads into the hotel.

INT. BURNS' HOTEL SUITE - WIGHT

Burns is conducting business over the phone in the
living room of his suite as a VALET ushers Jimbo in.
Burns motions Jimbo to sit down.
BURNS *
(into phone)
Fresh flowers? No. It's against
company policy.
Because I say so. Flowers wilt
and get ugly. I won't tolerate
ugliness in any of our units.
I don't care if it's Mother's
Day, Easter, Christmas or even ay
own birthday! No fresh flowers!
Tell hia plastic flowsrs are fine,
and if he doesn't liks it, hs can
bs replaced. That's all.
He hangs up, .then turns to Jiabo with his best demeanor.
BURNS
Some people won't take no for en
answsr.
JIMBO
I know the type.
BURNS
So«, are we going to be able to
f^ settle this matter like gentlemen?
 86

JIMBO .
Mr. Burns, you once told ae that if
I didn't like your arithmetic, you
wouldn't be averse to looking at
Bine.
Burns hesitates, then nods.
BURNS
All right, I'll look at yours.
Jimbo pulls a notepad out of his picket, writes down a
number, tears off the page, folds it, and places it in
front of Burns.
Burns eyes Jimbo sardoneially, ss if Jimbo has no right
to these theatrics. There he opens the paper. He turns
white.

INSERT - NOTE PAPER

"$3,200,000.00."

f^ BACK TO SHOT j
BURNS
This from the man who isn't
interested in aoney?
JIMBO
I don't want aoney because it's
important to ae. I want it because
it's important to you.
BURNS
Jimbo, I'm willing to negotiate
with you, but let's get down to
earth.
JIMBO
That figure ie not open to
negotiation.
BURNS
(livid)
Who the hell do you think you are?
Where did you come up with a figure
like that, anyway?
 87

JIMBO , •.
10 percent of your take. That was
your original offer.
BURNS
That was 5 years ago!
JIMBO
So? You thought it was fair then.
Bans jumps to his fset, clutching the paper.
BURNS
You know what I think of this? I
wipe ay ess with this!
(he pantomimes it)
And as for you, Mr. Boatman, I.
adviae you to talk to your lawyer!
JIMBO
(very calmly)
I already have, Mr. Burns and I'a
calling your bluff. You won't eue
me, because you'd have to prove
that I stole your trademarks and
used them fraudulently...and that's
a lie. Instead, what'11 come out
in open court is how you purposely
stole from me, and that kind of
publicity will hurt your business.
Even if it hurts you only $20,000
per unit, times 300 units, that's a
6 Billion dollar loss.
Given that, I'd say 3.2 Billion
dollars is a bargain.
BURNS
You think you'vs got as, don't you?
Well, you don't. Oh, I'll fight
you, all right, but not in court:
I'a gonna fight you in the
aarketplace...and I'a gonna wipe
you out, juat like the dinosaurs
got wiped out. The future is sine,
Mr. Boataan, and you will not
survive.
My offer stands at 300 thousand.
JIMBO
You can wipe your ess with it.
f ' *
Jiabo calrly walks out of there, leaving Burns fusing.
CUT TO:
 88

3NT. JIMBO'S, SAN BERNADINO - DAY

jijW^N

arimfto and Wingate are getting r*ady to open for the day,
Butting coffee and setting the counter. Luther, behind
tie counter, is practicing spatula technique "Jimbo
style," flipping a piece of wood.
JIMBO
How does he think he can put ae out
of business? Ws've been here 7
years and built up a loyal
clientele based on a quality
product at a fair price. People
know us, they like us, and that'a
why they keep coming back.
(to Luther)
Keep your wrist more fluid, Luther.
WINGATE
He sells 'cm cheaper, Jimbo.
LUTHER
So what? A Ford is cheaper than a
Cadillac, but Cadillac ain't out of
business.
JIK;=o
Right. You get what you pay for.
And as long as people can tell the
difference between quality and
crap, there's no way he can put us
out of business.
Outside, we see CHESTER rush up to the locked door and
bang on the glass. Wingate lets hia in.
CHESTER
Jimbo, I thought you'd want to
know: that guy Burns? He just
bought out the bakery across the
strset.
They all look out the window et the little bakery
directly across the atreet. The lot is exactly the
right size for e Jimbo's franchise.
CUT TO:

jf#*\
 89

EXT. A WRECKING BALL

swings through the air and smashes the bakery wall.
PULL BACK to pick up a large sign on the destruction
Site: "HERE WE GROW AGAIN! ANOTHER JIMBO'S HAMBURGERS
COMING SOON!"
CUT TO:
INT. JIMBO'S - DAY
The sounds of demolition can be heard inside Jimbo's,
even during the bustle of lunchtime. BALSON looks up
from his coffee and over at the din across the etreet.
BALSON
Hey, Captain, what's going on
across the street?
WINGATE
War.
CUT TO:
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DUSK
WORKMEN are quitting for the evening, leaving behind the
start of a Burns Unit: 3 pre-fabricated walls and the
\ beginning of a parking lot. *

INT. JIMBO'S - DUSK

Jiabo, Wingate and Luther eye the place froa their
window.
LUTHER
They can aura move fast, all right.
WINGATE
Pre-fabricated walla, floors, doors...
JIMBO
And food.
CUT TO:
EXT. JIMBO'S - DAY
A few days later. A slightly off hour et Jimbo's: a few
cars in the parking lot, but not packed. In the
background we see workmen continuing to build the Burns
Unit. In the foreground is s car with Michigan plates
with luggage pn the roof and a rear window ahelf full of
kids' toys end junk.
 90

HT. JIMBO'S - DAY

«ue T O U R I S T FAMILY is seated at the eounter: DAD, MOM,
SC5TE, 6, and RICKY, 4. Wingate has just served them.
Sosie takes a bite of her Jimbo Burger and makes a face.
SUSIE
Mommy, this doesn't taste right.
MOM
What's wrong with it?
SUSIE
It doesn't taste like a real Jimbo
Burger, like at home. I don't want
it!
RICKY
I wanna eat in the ear!
DAD
Susie, eat your lunch.
SUSIE
No! I don't like it! I want a
real Jimbo Burger, with Jimbo the
/^ Clown! /
Jimbo has heard part of this and he steps over.
JIMBO
Anything I can help you folks with?
SUSIE
I don't want itl I want Jimbo the
Clown!
RICKY
I don't want Bins either!
MOM
(slightly embarrassed)
Uh, do you have any wrappers or •
bags with "Jimbo the Clown?"
JIMBO
Jimbo the Clown?
MOM
You know, the clown on your
commercials? With Freddy French Fry,
Millie Milk Shake and the Bobo
*• Burgers? Seeing Jimbo the Clown is
the only way we can get Susie to est.
 91

\
This is a very painful moment for'Jimbo.
JIMBO
Uh, we don't have anything to do
with, uh, Jimbo the Clown.
DAD
But you're a national chain, aren't
you? That's why we stopped
here—we're froa Michigan.
JIMBO
Uh, no, sir, ws're not part of
that.
DAD
Are there any of the chain Jimbo's
in town?
Jimbo shakes his head.
JIMBO
(under his breath)
Not yet.
\
Susie and Ricky are whining, pouting and being
obnoxious.
DAD
(to the family)
Let's go.
He throws 3 dollars down and they all leave.
Jimbo looks like he's bsen hit by a truck. He Butters
to himself.
JIMBO
Burns, you son of a bitch, you
don't even like kids.
He sighs and half-heartedly returns to a pair of burgers
sizzling en the grill. He picks up both spatulas and
attempts the double-spatula switch: he misses. The
burgers and spatulas hit the floor.-
Wingate end Luther turn upon hearing the spatulas CLANG.
They are both astonishsd.
LUTHER
He aissed! I'vs nsver seen hia
• miss before!
 92

WINGATE
Neither have I. •
CUT TO:
a

ZXT. BURNS' UNIT • NIGHT

Wight. Late. Quiet. The Burns unit is nearly
complete, although there is no sign...yet. It's
illuminated by ambient street light.

ACROSS THE STREET

Jimbo is in his parking lot, staring at it. His face is
filled not with hate, but with defeat. His place is
closed but the sign is still lit. He looks up at it,
walks around it...almost like he was saying goodbye to
it. He sighs, then sits down against it and atares at
tbe competition.
A CAR pulls i n — a '60 Chevy. CAROL ANN is driving; she
gets out. WINGATE and LUTHER are with her.
CAROL ANN
^ Jimmy! It's almost midnight! We
1
were worried.
Jiabo doesn't move. He just sits there hopelessly as
his wife and friend approach.
JIMBO
He's won, Carol Ann. It's not even
open yet, and he's won.
WINGATE
They were from out of town, Jimbo.
They didn't know any better.
JIMBO
Remember what I aaid. Cap? "As
long as people can tell the
difference between quality and
crap...?" Well, they couldn't
tell. They couldn't tell!
LUTHER
Little kids! Little kids don't
like lobster, either!
 93

JIMBO .
Little kids are'the' future. And
that's what Burns said: "The future
is Bine."
(shakes his head)
A whole generation of kids eating
that junk, thinking it's good food.
What's gonna happen when they grow
up?
God, why did I have to be so
stubborn? Why didn't I just sell
out?
CAROL ANN
Because you believe in something.
JIMBO
What good is believing in something
if you're the only one?
CAROL ANN
That's when it's the aost
important.
jf0!*S. JIMBO
We ean't feed our kids with, a
belief. '
WINGATE
What about your customers? Your
loyal customers? Don't you believe
4 «t f K . m 1 )

JIMBO
What is this, some kinda pep talk
before the slaughter?
(to Carol Ann and Luther)
3 weeks ago, you two wanted Be to
aell out...
(to Wingate)
•...end you said I'd be wiped out
because Burns would underssll as.
Today I sse the handwriting on the
wall and you're both telling ae
it's gonna bs okay?
It's over! Can't you eee that?
It'e ell overl
CAROL ANN
So you're just gonna give up? Give
(' up and shut down, so you won't be
m. humiliated?
 94
V
* JIMBO
Why fight a battle-you.can't win?
CAROL ANN
(angry, curt)
If that's how you feel about it,
fine. You take the boys home and get
a baby sitter for tomorrow. I've got
some business to attend to.
She starts toward her ear. Jimbo chases her.
JIMBO
What are you talking about? Where
are you going?
CAROL ANN
San Jose. I'a going to beg and
plead with ay ex-husband to give us
some aoney so we all won't starve
to death. I'm going to tell him we
surrender and hope that his peace
terms will be generous.
r* JIMBO
The hell you will! You'll do no
such thing! t*

CAROL ANN
Somebody's gotta look out for the
family!
Carol Ann is really pissed! Keys in hand, she opens the
car door. Jimbo blocks her way.
JIMBO
You're not going to San Jose! X
won't allow it!
CAROL ANN
Then you go, Mr. "Good Provider1"
JIMBO
All right, I will!
Jimbo grabs the keys from her, gets in the'car, slams
the door, revs up, and roars off!
carol Ann smiles, her demeanor completely changing: it
was all an set.
^ * . CAROL ANN
I love it when he gets aad.
 95

•.._ WINGATE
(astonished)
Are you crazy? Burns is gonna
laugh hia out of his office! Or
throw hia out! or both!
CAROL ANN
Yep. And that'll Bake Jiamy ao aad
that he'll eoae back here and fight.
wingate and Luther aaile broadly as he realizes the
beauty of her plan.
LUTHER
You know that boy pretty well.
CAROL ANN '
I know them both pretty well.
WINGATE
(seriously)
Carol Ann, you think we got a
chance? Any chance at all?
/*** CAROL ANN
^ (shrugs)
Well, we've got a better chance now
than we had 5 ainutes ago. '
CUT TO;
INT. BURNS' OFFICE - SAN JOSE - DAY
A new office, bigger, plusher, with more expensive
furnishings which make the photos of Jimbo's oriented
items seem out of place, particularly the paintings of
"Jimbo the Clown" and hia friends "Freddy French Fry"
and "Millie Milk Shake."
Burns sits smugly st his oversissd desk, reacting to
what Jimbo has just told hia.
BURNS
So you've seen the handwriting,
have you? And now you're ready to
eccept ay 300 thousand -dollar
offer.
Well, the enswsr is no. You're
not gonna deprive ae of the
satisfaction of wiping you out.
Not now.
i (MORE)
 96

C9B7INUED
• •
BURNS (cont'd)
The truth is, I've been looking
forward to it...shattering your
dream and spitting it back in your
face; using your own name against
you, knocking you off that high
horse of yours.
auras' words are having an effect: Jimbo's humility is
changing to outright rage...a fighting rage.
BURNS (continuing)
Getting Bad, Jimbo? Getting really
pissed? Why don't you take another
poke at ae? Punch ae in the nose.
I'll haul you up on an assault
charge, too.
It's all Jimbo can do to keep from assaulting Burns.
BURNS
(laughs)
Oh, I wish ay board of directors
were here right now. They were
ready to pay you the 3 Billion.
Almost overruled ae on it. * Damned
bunch of bankers, always wanting to
play it safe. "No," I told 'em,
"just give me 4 aonths. By the
time of our stockholders meeting on
September 30th, Boatman'11 be wiped
out."
4 aonths, Boataan. That'a all
it'll take. And you'll be history.
September 30th, 1960, Boataan. Put
it on your tombstone.
Jiabo turns and heads for the door.
BURNS
Hey, Boataan, I'a a fair guy. You
want ae to buy you out? I will.
Here'a ay offer: you ahut down
today, and I'll give you $50,000...
Jimbo turns snd looks st hia. la this for real?
BURNS (continuing)
...in Jimbo's gift certificate!
s*?M**\ YOu and your family can eat in ay
*• restaurants for the rest of your
*• -v ^
lives, free!
 97

/**• Burns laughs.

Jimbo glares at him. It's all he can do to keep from
punching Burns out.
JIMBO
Eat it yourself.
Jimbo storms out.
CUT TO:
INT. JIMBO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Carol Ann is asleep in bed.
The door opens and Jimbo quietly enters, just now back
from San Jose.
Carol Ann stirs end sits up.
CAROL ANN
Well? What did he say?
Jimbo sits beside her and smiles knowingly.
JIMBO ;
You know what he said.
(a beat)
Thanks, honey.
He embraces her and kisses her passionately.
CUT TO:
 98

EXT. BURNS UNIT - DAY

A large banner proclaims the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION.
There are lets of balloons, an army of UNIFORMED
EMPLOYEES, a CROWD of customers and the Burns cast of
characters: "Jimbo the Clown," dressed in a rainbow
outfit; "Freddy French Fry," a Ban dressed as an
enormous french fry; "Millie Milk Shake," a woman
dressed as a huge overflowing ailkshake cup emblazoned
with the company logo; and the "Bobo Burgers," 3 walking
burgers: hamburger, Cheeseburger and Double Jimbo.

INT. JIMBO'S - DAY

The real Jimbo's is nevertheless doing decent lunch hour
business. Some of the familiar faces at the counter,
occasionally glance across the street with curiosity.
CHESTER, munching on a Double Jimbo, call_s out to Jimbo
who is flipping burgers.
CHESTER
Jimbo, I just want you to know that
from now en, I'm not having lunch
anywhere else except here. That's
a promise. #
4
JIMBO
Chester, you haven't had lunch
anywhere else except here for the
past 7 years.
CHESTER
I know. I just thought you'd like
to hear me promise it.
Luther pulls binoculars from under the counter and looks
across the street. He shakes his hsad.
LUTHER
• Take a look, Jiabo: your naaesake,
"Jimbo the Clown."
Luther hands the binocs to Jimbo who takes a look.
JIMBO
(chuckles)
What an asshole.
 99

JIMBO'S P.O.V. THRU BINOCULARS

• .
of "Jimbo the Clown," prancing around, looking
like...well, an asshole. BINOCULARS PAN OVER to BURNS
himself, handing out balloons to children, trying to act
like he's enjoying it.
JIMBO (V.O.)
What another asshols.

SERIES OF SHOTS - THE BURGER WAR

EXT. NIGHT - BURNS' UNIT is doing solid business: the
parking lot is 3/4 full.
EXT. NIGHT - JIMBO'S is also doing eolid business:
his parking lot is also 3/4 full.
BURNS stands across the street, counting^he cars in
Jimbo's lot, marking the tally on a clipboard. With him
is a serious looking accountant of 30 or so named
PARKER. Parker nods as Burns explains the situation
here. Clearly, Parker is Burns' "Ban" in San Berdoo.
ft$ti\
INT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT, LATE ,
Closed now. Jimbo checks cash register receipts against
his books, hastily doing arithmetic.
Wingate is cleaning up.
JIMBO
You don't have to work a double
ehift, you know that, Cap.
WINGATE
I want to. So, how'd we do today?
JIMBO
• Well, pretty auch as usual.
WINGATE
(not buying it)
How "pretty auch" is "pretty such?"
JIMBO
We're 5 percent off.
Wingate picks up the binoculars and looks across ths
street. •*
 100
jf0^s.
9JBLX: THRU BINOCULARS OF BURNS' UNIT
A aaailar seene is being played out in Burns' unit:
BURf&> and PARKER, perched on the stainless steel
cosatjaar, look over numbers. Parker points out something
to sums; Burns nods and smilss.

SEB2ES OF SHOTS - THE BURGER WAR

JIMl© flips ten burgers in quick succession. His style
has never looked better.
Buns EMPLOYEES build a dozen burgers assembly line
style.
PARKER stands on the street and counts cars and
customers at Jimbo's.
NISKT - JIMBO figures his books. Hs frpwns.
DAS - BURNS on the phone in his San Jose BOARD ROOM
gets good news. In the background are some of his
EXECUTIVES, including GREENSFELDER and HEMKER (who we
saw before).
BURNS *
(into phone) '
So he's off 11 pereent in 3 weeks
and falling 3 percent a week.
Good! Thank you, Parker.

DUSK - JIMBO flips on the three switches of his sign.

OUTSIDE his sign lights up.
ACROSS THE STREET the B u m s sign lights up too, with "15
CENTS" flashing en and off incessantly.
DAY - JIMBO'S ANCIENT CASH REGISTER rings up several
sales in succession.
3 6FIFFY NEW BURNS REGISTERS ring Up sales constantly.
BURNS in his effiee gets the latest.returns ever the
phone and records them on an easel mounted GRAPH.
BURNS
(into phone)
.j.down another 3 percent. 5 weeks
ajnd the pattern's holding. Looks
" like ny 4 month estimate was right
en the aoney. .Thank you, Parker.
 101

Indeed, the graph shows a stsady downward line, plotted

fairly closely to a dotted line- (the projection) which
ends at an 60% drop at the 4 aonth nark (September 30)
in a RED COLORED AREA.

INT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT

Jiabo and Wingate check the aiailar results of their own
calculations against a WALL CALENDAR with red X's
Barking off the days (it'a the last week in July).
JIMBO '
We're not hurting now, but if this
continues, in 6 wseks we'll be in
ssvere pain.
WINGATE
Maybe we should cut eur prices.
JIMBO
No. That's just what Burns would
want us to do. We'll lose aoney if
we Batch his prices-—it'll be like
cutting our own throats. Remember,
we're not trying to put hia out of
business. We can't. We're betting
that there's enough people who'll
pay a little extra for quality to
keep us in the black. So it's
business as usual, come hell or
high water.

INT. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY

Burns records another week on his graph: 7 weeks, 22
percent off. He's delighted.

EXT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT

Jiabo locks up and heads for his car.
ACROSS THE STREET, PARKER exits the closed Burns unit
and heads for his car. Hs spots Jiabo, smiles, and
waves.
PARKER
G*night, Boataan!
JIMBO gives hia a look and grudgingly waves back,
growling under his breath.-
 102

SERIES OF SHOTS - BURGER WAR

* •
CUSTOMERS being served on both'sides of the street:
At Jimbo's, the familiar faces at the counter.
At Burns', three fast moving take-out lines of people in
a hurry.
PARKER is still counting cars and custoaers at Jimbo's.
At JIMBO'S, a VAN from "INLAND MEAT PACKING" pulls
around back for a delivery.
t

ACROSS THE STREET, a large truck with the Jiabo

Corporate Logo pulls around back for a delivery.

INT. JIMBO'S NIGHT

The bookkeeping ritual. Jimbo is puzzled over the
figures and scratches his head.
JIMBO
Cap, check me out on my arithmetic
here and tell me I haven't lost it.
4
WINGATE '
What's the bad news?
JIMBO
It's good news.

EXT. A BURNS UNIT, OREGON - DAY

BURNS is at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a Jimbo's unit
that differs from the others only in its pine tree
landscaping. Burns is finishing a speech.
BURNS
- 60 with great prids, we dedicate
Portland's 3rd store, asking 363
Jiabo restaurants coast to coast!
APPLAUSE as Burns cuts the ribbon. •
Now a uniformed WESTERN UNION MESSENGER pushes thru the
crowd and approaches Burns.
^ . MESSENGER
m felegraa, Mr. Burns.
Burns "tears it open, reads it...and-turns pale.
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 104

JIMBO . -
This is a man who wanted my name so
bad, he stole it. Now he-wants me
out of business by September 30th.
If he wants it bad enough, he could
try anything .
CUT TO:
INT. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY
At week 11, the graph shows that Jimbo's business
remains stable: over the past 4 weeks, the line
fluctuates only 1 or 2 points from 20%.
Burns, en the phone, is angry.
BURNS
(into phone)
No change again? Then this calls
for a new strategy...
CUT TO:
INT. JIMBO'S - DAY
j^S^Sv

LUTHER is looking across the street thru the binoculars.

He is alarmed at something.
LUTHER
Jiabo, you'd better look at this...
Jimbo steps over, takes the binocs, and looks. Wingate
follows.

HIS P.O.V. OF BURNS' SIGN:

The "15 Cents" is bsing changsd to "10 cents."

JIMBO
shakes his head.
JIMBO
At a diae a burger, he'a gonna be
taking a loss. He sure wants ae
bad, all right.
* LUTHER
** What do we do?
 105

JIMBO •.
We stand our ground. Our sandwich
is still worth 19 cents, no matter
what his costs.
WINGATE
1 hope your public agrees.

GET'. BURNS' UNIT - NIGHT

Tie Burns parking lot is a madhouse, completely jammed
with cars honking and battling for parking spaces.

EXT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT

Bevertheless, Jimbo's parking lot is still 3/4 full.
Besiness is solid. —
1ST. BURNS' UNIT - DAY
Again, mobbed. Parker is on the phone.
PARKER
It's been 2 weeks: our business is
up 50 percent and his is down only
2 percent. Your 10-cent burgers
are bringing in customers, but not
his customers. At this rate,
Boatman can stay in business till
hell freezes over while we're
losing two-and-a-half cents on
every sandwich we sell.
(pause, listens, then sighs)
All right, we'll give it another
week.

INT. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY

An angry LOU GREENSFELDER is waving some papers in
Burns' facs. Bshind hia, ws see the stabls lins on the
graph continue through week 14.
•
GREENSFELDER
Dammit, Mike, you're running this
company like a vendetta instead of
a business. That San Bernadino
spore is our first unit in history
to ever lose aoney.
 106

BURNS'
I don't care. It's my company, and
I can do what I want.
GREENSFELDER
It's not your company, Mike, not
anymore. A lot of it's yours: but
some of it's Bins, snd Howard's,
and a whole lot of other
stockholders'. And if you don't
end this thing soon, it's going to
affect the price of our atoek.
BURNS
Maybe...
GREENSFELDER
Look, if you want ay opinion,-
Boatman is here to stay. If* ! were
you—
BURNS
Well, you're not ae, Lou. And I'a
not making any deals with hia, not
now. I said I'd wipe Boataan out
by September 30th and I'a gonna do
it, and I want your support.
GREENSFELDER
You've always had ay support, Mike,
but look at the figures:
(points to the graph)
We can't buy off his customers.
Burns takes a moaent to consider the situation.
BURNS
You'rs right. We can't. But we
can buy off his suppliers.
*

CUT TO:
INT. INLAND MEAT PACKING HOUSE
*
The MEAT PACKER we saw earlier is looking ever a
contract with open mouthed amazement. PARKER stands
next to hia.
MEAT PACKER
This contract is...hugs! Are you
" prepared to guarantee this?
Parker pulls a wad of caeh out of hia auit coat.
 107

PARKER
Joe, I'll guarantee'it with cash,
in advance, on one condition: you
drop your account with Jim Boatman.
Meat Packer takes a deep breath and eyes the aoney
riciously.
CUT TO;
JIMBO'S - MORNING
Jiabo is en the phone, very upset. Wingate is in the
background. They're not yet open for business.
JIMBO
(into phone)
But Joe, I've been s stsady
customer for 7 years. Doesn't that
eount for anything? —
(pause)
Don't you see what he's gonna do?
Once I'm out of business, he'll
pull that contract and leave you in
the lurch.
(pause, listens)
Joe, I'a begging you, please'—
(pause, listens)
Yeah, I know it's nothing personal:
it's..."just good business."
Jiabo hangs up, frustrated.
JIMBO
How do you like that guy? A 7 year
relationship and he screws ae over
aoney.
WINGATE
That's the way aost businsssss run,
Jiabo.
JIMBO
You're starting to sound liks
. Burns.
•
WINGATE
Take it easy now, there's other
neat packers.
 loe

JIMBO
>*V Yeah? Well, if I Anew Burns, he's
' already in business with every one
of 'em.
CUT TO:
INT. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY
Burns is on the phone.
BURNS
(into phone)
So his nearest Beat supplier would
be in Phoenix, Arizona? Good work,
Parker.
(pause, listens)
Well, if Boatman decides to do
business in Arizona, so will we.
CUT TO:
INT. JIMBO'S - NIGHT
Closed for the night. Wingate pours over the books,
making calculations; Jimbo stands at the door, looking
across the street with hateful eyes, {father is cleaning
up the kitchen area.
WINGATE
The trucking expense from
Phoenix'11 cost us, but I think we
can still sake out.
JIMBO
Forget it, Cap. Once Burns knows
our supplisr, hs'll squeeze us
sgain.
WINGATE
So what's lsft? Buy rstail at ths
.supermarket?
LUTHER
We've got enough seat to last us 3
aors days and that's it. - We're
through.
JIMBO
I've gotta take the offensive,
that's what's lsft. I've gotta hit
HIM for a Changs.
 109

K WINGATE.
"He" is a multi-million dollar
national corporation.
JIMBO
I know...
(snaps his fingers with sn idea)
And that's his weakness. Hs told
ae so hiaself!
WINGATE
Talk sense, would you?
JIMBO
I'a thinking, Csp. I'a thinking...
Indeed he is. He starts pacing around excitedly,
cooking up something in his Bind.
Luther and Wingate exchange e look. ~*
Jimbo looks at the CALENDAR—it's September and
counts the days till the end of the month. He smiles
and faces his friends.
f^ JIMBO ,
Burns is having that big *
stockholders meeting of his next
week? Well, we're all gonna be
there.
LUTHER
And what the hell are we all gonna
4o there?
JIMBO
(smiles)
Ws'rs gonna win.
CUT TO:
 110

1ST. STOCKHOLDERS MEETING

A large hotel meeting room,-with 300 or more attendees.
A banner hangs across the room, "Welcome Jimbo's
franchisees and Stockholders," along with other decor (a
rainbow sign, food and character pictures, etc.).
lttKE BURNS and his BOARD OF DIRECTORS, including MR.
HEKKER, sit upon s dais. A podium with a microphone is
set up, and GREENSFELDER is running the aeetlng.
There's also a floor mike for questions from the floor.
GREENSFELDER
Before we move onto new business,
is there anyone slss with old
business to discuss?
JIKBO stands up froa ths erowd. Sitting next te hia is
C A R O L ANN. He approaches the floor aicrgphone.

JIMBO
Yes, sir. My name's Jim Boatman
and I've got some old business to '
discuss.
BURNS 4
Who let him in here? He's'not
supposed to be here. This
meeting's for stockholders and
franchise holders only.
JIMBO
I am a stockholder, Mr. Burns. I
bought one share last week so I
could attsnd this aeetlng.
BURNS
Well, I own forty percent of the
etoek of this company and I'a
telling you to get out of here.
GREENSFELDER
I'a afraid we'll have to ask you to
leave ths aeetlng, Mr. Boataan.
JIMBO
Excuse ae, eir, but this is a
public company, and federal law
eays that any shareholder has a
right to epeak et a shareholder's
ajeeting.
 Ill

BURNS . '
So sue us, Boatman. This is ay
company and I say you have no right
to speak here. Now you can either
leave quietly, or we'll call the
police.
JIMBO
Oh, it's vour company, is it Mr.
Burns? It's all yours, end
whatevsr you say goes, huh? And
here I thought the other
stockholders had sons say in it.
But, sines I'a wrong, I'll go.
Obviously if you want to put the
future of this entire corporation
at serious risk all by yourself, I
guess you can do that.
Of course, if it were ae, 2. think
I'd take 5 ainutes to find out
about something that Bight cause
the value of ay stoek to go
d o w n — u h , 1 asan, ay 40 psrcsnt of
the stock to go down.
Jiabo turns around and starts to walk-*-slowly—toward
the exit.
A buzz goes through the rooa, as a few stockholders
wonder what this is all about.
And on the dais, several members of the board also
exchange looks of concern.
GREENSFELDER
Uh, Mike, aaybe we ehould hear hia
out...
BURNS
. Hs's running a bluff, Lou. I've
put hia out of business and he just
wants to aaks trouble. Forget hia
and just continue the aeeting.
Howard Hemker stands up.
KEMKER
Wall, I own 16 percent of the stock
,^. and I wojild like to hear what Mr.
( Boataan has to say.
/ Jiabo stops and turns around.
 112

BURNS
You're Baking a.aistake, Howard.
KEMKER
I prefer to call it "playing it
aafe."
Burns stares at Hemker, then sighs, knowing it's not
worth fighting this one.
Greensfelder picks up on it.
GREENSFELDER
All right, Mr. Boataan, you Bay
have the floor.
JIMBO
Thank you, sir, I'll take it...
Jiabo goes up on the dais and ateps up to. the podium to
address the aeeting.
Greensfelder reluctantly steps aside: He didn't
actually Bean for Jiabo to take this aicrophone.
Burns and the other directors appear uneasy about this.
JIMBO *
My name's Jimbo. I'vs bsen in the
hamburger business sines 1953.
Mike Burns saw ay nane on a rainbow
aign a few years ago and whan I
wouldn't sell it to hia, ha atole
i t — t h a t and a few other things.
BURNS
Watch yourself, Boataan. You
slander ae, I'll aue. I've done
nothing illegal and you know it.
GREENSFELDER
(quietly to Burns)
Kike, control that temper of yours.
It dossn't look good in here.
JIMBO
4 aonths ago, as the aembers of the
board will attest, Mr. Burns tried
to buy ae out, but when I told hia
ay price, he refused.
* HEMKER
#- Without consulting the rest of us
on it.
 113

BURNS '.-
Because it was highway robbery,
Hemker!
JIMBO
Mr. Burns instead decided to put ae
out of business by cutting off ay
beef suppliers. And in that, he
has succeeded.
BURNS
See? He'e out of businsss! I told
you I'd wipe hia outl I was right1
JIMBO
I didn't say I was out of businsss,
Mike. I said I couldn't get any
beef.
BURNS ~
It's the same difference: You can't
make hamburgers without bssf.
JIMBO
Ah, but I can, Mr. Burns.
And if we don't come to d new
buy-out agreement here today, next
week I intend to invite the press
and the health department down to
ay store to have a look at ay new
aouree of Beat.
(calls offstage)
Captain! Luther! Bring in the
Beat!
Large side doors open end WINGATE end LUTHER lead s REAL
LIVE HORSE into the matting room!
There are reactions of astonishment froa the attendees.
A buzz goes through ths room; there ie S O B S laughter
froa the floor, and utter ahock froa the dale.
GREENSFELDER
I don't believe this...!
BURNS
(jumps to his fsst, totally irate)
This is en outrage, Boataan! A
goddamned outrage!

<\
 114

<• JIMBO
You bat it's an-outrage.
And it'll be an even bigger
outrage when it's in every
newspaper in America!
Luther hands Jimbo s NEWSPAPER from a large atack he'e
carrying in a newsboy shoulder bag. Jiabo opens it and
shows everyone s dummy front page with the headline,
"JIMBO'S HAMBURGER STAND USES HORSEMEAT" While Luther
hands them out to the board and other stockholders.
The whole place buzzes with concern.
JIMBO
Just think of what it'll do to your
business and to the priee of your
stock.
HEMXER
I told you something .like this
eould happen, Burns. This is all
your fault! We could have bought
hia off, but no, we had to do it
your way. Well, your way just
might ruin this company1
4*
BURNS
He's bluffing, Hemker. He won't do
it. He can't!
JIMBO
Sure I can. I've got nothing to
lose. If I'a going down, Burns,
I'a taking you down with ae.
Say, maybe I'll throw in some rat
asat and worms and roaches.
BURNS
Thie is blackaaill
JIMBO
Zt'a good businsss.
BURNS
* You goddamned eon of a bitch!
Burns rushes Jiabo.
GREENSFELDER
Mlks, don't! He could bring
,. assault charges against you.
 115

/$M?*i

Ttoo late: Burns slugs Jimbo in the jaw!

Jiiabo is knocked backward, momentarily dazed.
Jiabo rubs his sors jaw and gsts up.
JIMBO
Don't worry. I'll ssttle this out
of court...
•ith that, Jiabo alams his right fist into Burns' gut...
JIMBO
One...
...then e left into Burns' jaw... '
JIMBO
Two...
...and a right into his face that eends Burns sprawling
backward off the dais snd onto the floor.
JIMBO
Three...
/
Burns lies there moaning with e bloody nose. He's a
sorry sight indeed.
Jiabo looks down at him with satisfaction.
JIMBO
(to Greensfslder)
Usually when I'a aad, I count to
ten, but this tins I'll ssttle for
three.
Now Carol Ann steps up to the microphone on the floor.
CAROL ANN
' I'd like to make a notion: that
Mike Burns bs expelled froa the
Board of Directors of this
Corporation.
Burns looks up. with disbelief.
BURNS
What?!? Carol Ann? Who let her in
here? This is s set-up! She's not
Supposed to be here!
 116

CAROL .-ANN
I'a a stockholder, too, Mike, and
that aeans I can Bake a motion.
HEMKER
And I'd like to sscond that aotion.
Burns pulls hiaself up to his fsst, totally enraged.
BURNS
What do you Bean, Hemker? You
can't do that! I'a the president
of this coopanyl You can't kick as
out!
HEMKER
Mr. Burns, you'rs out of order.
There's a action on the floor, and
I demand a vote. —
BURNS
I don't care what'a on the floor1
This is my goddamned company and I
ean do whatever I want! And I eay
/&* you can't kick ae out! I ahould
v kick you out is what I shodld do!
Burns is really losing it, and froa the murmur in the
room, everybody knows it.
GREENSFELDER
Mike, please, calm down. You're
only Baking it worse.
BURNS
Don't talk down to ae, Lou. Z Bade
you! I aade all of you! None of
you would even be here if it wasn't
for as!
JIMBO
And you wouldn't bs hsrs if it
wssn't for ae, yeu pompous aas, ao
ait down and ehut up.
«.
Scattered applause froa the floor, as well as a few
calls of "Yeah, eit down," and "let'a vote en it."
Burns looks around, sstonishsd. Hs's starting to sss
^ the handwriting on the wall.
 11?

• BURNS...
Lou—we're friends; You can stop
this, can't you?
GREENSFELDER
(sighs; this is hard for hia)
Thsrs's s aotion en the floor,
Mike. We have to take a vote.
(to the aeetlng)
Sense of the aeetlng: all those in
favor of the aotion to...
(takes a dssp breath)
...expel Mr. Burns from the Board
of Directors, signify so by raising
your had?
On the floor, every singls hand goss up.
On the dais, Hemker's hand is up, snd one. by one the
other members of the board raise their hands.
Burns can't believe it. He looks at Greensfelder with
pleading eyes.
Greensfelder raises his hand as well.
/
GREENSFELDER
(quietly to Burns)
Sorry, Mike. It's just good
business.
(loudly)
All opposed?
Burns is ths only vote.
GREENSFELDER
The motion passss.
BURNS
No! It'e not fair! It'a illegal!
• I'll sue! I'll sue every single
one of you! This is ay company and
you can't take it away froa ae, you
hear? It's Bins!
GREENSFELDER
Mr. Burns, you're out of order.
Please control yoursslf, or be
we'll have to esk you to lesvs.
{"*• ' BURNS
" You go to hell! All of you! I'a
gonna talk to ay lawyer!
 118

Burns storms out.

GREENSFELDER
Now, Mr. Boataan, you mentioned
that you were willing to discuss a
naw buyout agrsement...?
CUT TO:
CLOSE ON AN ENVELOPE
as HANDS open it end pull out s check on "Jimbo's
Corporation" letterhead: "Pay to the order of Jaaes
Boataan: $4,200,000.00."

WIDER ANGLE - INT. JIMBO'S - DAY

Jimbo passes the check around to show wingate, Carol
Ann, and Luther. All are absolutely amazed.
And out the window across the street, s WRECKING BALL
/**> smashes into the Burns unit.
WINGATE
What are you gonna do with'all that
money, Jiabo?
JIMBO
I know the first thing I'a gonna
do...
CUT TO:
EXT. CLOSE ON THE CONTROL BOX - DUSK
as Jimbo's hand flips the switches to "on"...

A NEW SIGN.
lights up ths San Bernadlno duskt "JIMMY'S ORIGINAL
BURGERS."
Colored neon etars surround ths sigh which flssh end
etrobe brilliantly while FIREWORKS explode in the eky
above.
 119

WIDEN TO REVEAL
e GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION for ths new version of
Jimbo's stand...auch like the dedication of the first
sign, but with aors psopls, and a 30 pises braas band
playing "Dixie."
JIMBO holds ths control box, ss bsfore, and his
surrounded by faaily, friends snd supportors: CAROL ANN
and ths KIDS, WINGATE, LUTHER, BALSON, CHESTER,
SYKES...everybody's hsre, drinking champagne and having
a great time.
A new CADILLAC is parked in Jimbo's space...and there
are TWO OTHERS, with RIBBONS around then and gift tags
mads out to "Captain" snd "Luther."
And across the strset where the Burns Unit ones stood is
simply RUBBLE.
CAROL ANN
Great party...Jimmy.
JIMBO
(looking up at ths sign)-
You know, "Jimmy" looks pretty good
up there.
Carol Ann gives him e big kiss.
JIMBO (continuing)
I'vs bssn thinking...it Bight be
fun to try e new item en the menu.
(pauses dramatically)
Fried Chicken!
"Dixie" comes up loud and we ROLL END TITLES.
FADE OUT.