The Crossover - Second Quarter

Summary

The script revolves around the protagonist's basketball journey, highlighting his skills and the camaraderie with his brother JB. It explores themes of family, love, and personal growth. The protagonist's success on the court is juxtaposed with his brother's budding romance and their father's health scare, adding depth to their bond. A pivotal moment occurs when the protagonist, seeking to outshine JB, makes a costly mistake, leading to a dramatic climax that tests their relationship and unity.

Takeaways

• 🏀 The protagonist is passionate about basketball and has a natural talent, as shown by his ability to hit a half-court shot.
• 🤔 The character JB seems to be preoccupied with a girl, Miss Sweet Tea, often appearing distracted and less engaged in basketball.
• 👨‍👦 The protagonist's father is heavily involved in his sons' basketball lives, often attending games and providing commentary.
• 🍗 The family has a history of heart problems, which is a significant concern and leads to lifestyle changes.
• 🥗 The protagonist's mother introduces healthier eating habits to the family, including hummus and pita bread instead of fried foods.
• 🏆 The protagonist and JB are successful basketball players, with the team being undefeated and the protagonist scoring high in games.
• 📚 The protagonist is also academically successful, scoring an A-plus on a vocabulary test.
• 💔 There is a sense of rivalry and tension between the protagonist and JB, especially when JB starts dating Miss Sweet Tea.
• 📖 The protagonist's brother JB prioritizes his relationship with Miss Sweet Tea over his friendship with the protagonist, causing a rift.
• 🚓 The father gets pulled over by the police due to a broken tail light, causing the protagonist to be late for a basketball game.
• 🏥 The father's health issues become critical, with a heart attack scare during a free-throw practice session.

Q & A

What was the protagonist's initial reaction to the older guys at the basketball court?

The protagonist initially faced laughter and skepticism from the older guys at the basketball court, who wouldn't let him play unless he could hit a half-court shot.

How did the protagonist prove himself at the basketball court?

The protagonist proved himself by successfully making a half-court shot with all net, which impressed the older guys.

What was JB's initial reaction when the protagonist scored points and showed off his skills?

JB's initial reaction was to smile and seem unresponsive, as he was likely distracted by his own thoughts or feelings.

What was the protagonist's impression of JB's behavior after meeting Miss Sweet Tea?

The protagonist noticed that JB was acting weird, always smiling and spacey, especially around Miss Sweet Tea, and even wore his dad's cologne and texted her frequently.

What did the protagonist's dad do when he noticed JB's behavior change?

The protagonist's dad laughed it off and compared talking to JB in that state to pushing water uphill with a rake, suggesting it was futile.

What was the family's reaction to the news about their grandfather's health history?

The family, particularly the mother, decided to start eating healthier due to the history of heart problems, starting with hummus and pita bread.

How did the protagonist feel about the new diet his family was starting?

The protagonist was skeptical about whether hummus was really the answer and missed the fried foods they were giving up.

What was the significance of the protagonist's dad's reaction during the free throw practice?

The protagonist's dad's sudden coughing fit and look of horror while clutching his chest was significant as it hinted at potential health issues.

How did the protagonist handle the situation when his dad had a coughing fit?

The protagonist initially froze but then JB took action by using a water hose to help their dad recover.

What was the protagonist's reaction to JB's relationship with Alexis?

The protagonist felt left out and noticed changes in his relationship with JB as JB started spending more time with Alexis.

How did the protagonist feel about being the third wheel with JB and his girlfriend?

The protagonist felt like a third wheel and was uncomfortable with the situation, as evidenced by his walk home alone and his feelings of exclusion.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Basketball Triumph and Family Dynamics

The narrative begins with the protagonist recounting a victorious basketball game at 'the wreck' where he initially faced skepticism from older players but proved his worth by hitting a half-court shot. He scored 14 points and was encouraged to try out for junior varsity. His friend JB, however, seems distracted, possibly by a romantic interest. The protagonist also expresses concern over JB's changed behavior, suspecting it's due to a girl named 'Miss Sweet Tea.' The story touches on family discussions about health, particularly heart disease, after the protagonist's grandfather's death. There's also a humorous incident where the father, known for his loud commentary at games, pretends to choke to get out of eating healthier food.

05:02

🍗 Lifestyle Changes and Unexpected Twists

The second paragraph delves into the protagonist's life, which is going well: he's undefeated in basketball, scores high in school, and enjoys his mother's absence from school as the assistant principal. However, there's a scare when his father, known for his love of fried foods, has a coughing fit that mimics a heart attack, alarming the family. The father's recovery is played off as a joke, but it leaves the protagonist uneasy. There's also a humorous interaction where the protagonist impersonates his brother JB on the phone with a girl named Alexis, leading to a playful and awkward conversation.

10:02

📱 Balancing School, Sports, and Sibling Rivalry

Paragraph three focuses on the protagonist's daily life, including school, sports, and a growing tension with his brother JB over a girl named Alexis. The protagonist feels left out as JB spends more time with Alexis, affecting their usual routines and interactions. There's a sense of loneliness and a longing for the past when they were closer. The protagonist also experiences a strange vision during a meditation session, seeing JB in a hospital, foreshadowing potential future conflicts.

15:02

🌧️ Rainy Days and Missed Opportunities

In the fourth paragraph, the protagonist's world is further disrupted by JB's new relationship. He feels like a 'third wheel' and is forced to navigate school and sports alone. An incident at the library where he finds JB with his girlfriend solidifies his feelings of exclusion. The protagonist also grapples with his father's resistance to medical help, despite the family's history of heart disease. There's a comedic interlude involving a traffic stop on the way to a game, which causes the protagonist to be late and miss the team's warm-up.

20:02

🏥 On the Court and Off: A Brother's Struggle

The final paragraph details the protagonist's struggle with his brother's success and the growing distance between them. Despite being a reliable player, he's benched for being late to a game due to circumstances beyond his control. Once on the court, he's torn between his desire to shine and the team's need for cooperation. In a climactic moment, he chooses to take a shot instead of passing to his brother, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The story ends with a poignant reflection on the protagonist's actions and the impact they have on his relationship with his brother.

Keywords

💡pickup game

A pickup game refers to an informal sports match, often basketball, that is spontaneously organized among a group of people. In the script, the protagonist plays a pickup game at 'the wreck,' showcasing his basketball skills and gaining respect from older players. This scene illustrates the theme of camaraderie and competition in sports.

💡half court

Half court in basketball denotes the area from the centerline to one end of the court. The protagonist is challenged to make a shot from half court, which he accomplishes effortlessly. This term is used to highlight the protagonist's skill level and serves as a pivotal moment in earning the respect of his peers.

💡varsity

Varsity refers to a high school's top-level sports team. The older players suggest that the protagonist should try out for the junior varsity team next year, indicating his potential and skill. This term is integral to the narrative as it sets a goal for the protagonist to aspire to.

💡stroke

A stroke is a medical condition resulting from the interruption of blood supply to the brain. In the script, the protagonist's grandfather had a stroke due to heart disease. This term is crucial as it introduces a family history of health issues and foreshadows potential challenges for the characters.

💡hummus

Hummus is a healthy dip made from chickpeas, often associated with Mediterranean cuisine. The mother introduces hummus as part of a healthier diet for the family, reflecting a theme of health consciousness and lifestyle changes in response to a family history of heart disease.

💡undefeated

Being 'undefeated' means having won all games or matches played. The protagonist's team is described as undefeated, emphasizing their excellence and teamwork. This term is central to the theme of success and the pursuit of excellence in sports.

💡free throw

A free throw is an unopposed shot taken from behind the free-throw line in basketball. The script describes a free throw competition between the protagonist and his brother, highlighting their competitive spirit and sibling rivalry, which is a subplot within the narrative.

💡tipping point

The tipping point refers to the moment when a situation reaches a critical level that leads to significant change. In the script, the protagonist finds his 'tipping point' when he discovers his brother with a girl, indicating a shift in their relationship dynamics and personal growth.

💡heart disease

Heart disease refers to conditions that affect the heart's ability to function properly. The script mentions the family history of heart disease, which adds a layer of tension and concern for the characters' well-being, especially given the father's dismissive attitude towards doctors.

💡identity

Identity refers to the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is. The protagonist's identity as a basketball player and a brother is explored throughout the script. His struggle with identity is highlighted when he feels replaced by his brother's girlfriend, leading to a pivotal moment in their relationship.

💡irony

Irony is a figure of speech in which the intended meaning of a word or expression is opposite to its usual or literal meaning. The script uses the term 'ironic' to describe situations that have an unexpected or coincidental twist, such as the protagonist's brother being speechless when he usually has a lot to say, adding a layer of humor and complexity to the narrative.

Highlights

Narrator impresses older basketball players with a half-court shot

Narrator's friend JB seems distracted and lovestruck

Narrator scores 14 points and is encouraged to try out for junior varsity

JB's behavior changes, showing signs of being in love

Narrator's dad gives advice on dealing with girls and love

Narrator's family history of heart problems is revealed

Narrator's mom introduces healthier eating habits to the family

Narrator reflects on his own success in basketball and school

Narrator's dad has a health scare while playing basketball

Narrator and JB have a conversation with a girl named Alexis over the phone

Narrator feels left out as JB spends more time with his girlfriend

Narrator finds JB with his girlfriend in the library

Narrator struggles with jealousy and the changes in his relationship with JB

Narrator's dad is pulled over by a cop on the way to a basketball game

Narrator is late to the game and gets benched

Narrator and JB play together and demonstrate their basketball skills

Narrator makes a controversial decision during a game, leading to JB getting hurt

Transcripts

hey jb

i played a pickup game at the wreck

today

at first the older guys laughed and

wouldn't let me in unless i could hit

from half court

of course i did

all net

i wait for jb to say something

but he just smiles

his eyes all moony

i showed them guys how the bells ball

i scored 14 points

they told me i should try out for junior

varsity next year cause i got hops

jb

are you listening

jb nods

his fingers tapping away on the computer

chatting probably with miss sweet tea

i told the big guys about you too

they said we could come back and run

with them anytime

what do you think about that

hello

earth to jb

even though i know he hears me the only

thing jb is listening to is the sound of

his heart bouncing on the court of love

conversation dead

this girl is making jordan act weird

he's here but he's not

he's always smiling

his eyes get all spacey whenever she's

around and sometimes when she's not

he wears your cologne he's always

texting her

he even wore loafers to school

dad you got to do something

dad does something

he laughs

filthy

talking to your brother right now would

be like pushing water uphill with a rake

son

this isn't funny dad

say something to him please

filthy

if some girl done locked up jb

he's going to jail

now let's go get some donuts

basketball rule number five

when you stop playing your game

you've already lost

show off

up by 16 with six seconds showing jb

smiles then struts sidesteps stutters

spins and sinks a sick slick sliding

sweet seven foot shot

what a show-off

out of control

are you kidding me

come on ref

open your eyes

ray charles could have seen that kid

walked

call the traveling violation

you guys are terrible

mom wasn't at the game tonight

which meant that all night dad was free

to yell at the officials

which he did

mom calls me into the kitchen

after we get home from beating saint

francis

normally she wants me to sample the

macaroni and cheese to make sure it's

cheesy enough

or the oven baked fried chicken to make

sure it's not greasy and stuff

but today on the table is some gross

looking orange creamy dip

with brown specks in it

a tray of pita bread triangles is beside

it

maybe mom is having one of her book club

meetings

sit down

she says

i sit as far away from the dip as

possible

maybe the chicken is in the oven

where is your brother

she asks

probably on the phone with that girl

she hands me a pita

no thanks i say

then stand up to leave but she gives me

a look that tells me she's not finished

with me

maybe the mac is in the oven

we've talked to you two about your

grandfather

she says

he was a good man

i'm sorry you never got to meet him josh

me too

he looked cool in his uniforms

that man was way past cool

dad said he used to curse a lot and talk

about the war

mom's laugh is short

then she's serious again

i know we told you grandpop died after a

fall

but the truth is he fell because he had

a stroke

he had a heart disease

too many years of bad eating and not

taking care of himself and so

what does this have to do with anything

i ask

even though i think i already know

well

our family has a history of heart

problems

she says

so

we're going to start eating better

especially dad and we're going to start

tonight with some hummus and pita bread

for my victory dinner

josh we're going to try to lay off the

fried foods and golden dragon

and when your dad takes you to the

recreation center no pollards or krispy

kreme afterward

understand

and i understand more than she thinks i

do

but is hummus really the answer

35 to 18

is the final score of game six

a local reporter asked jb and i how we

got so good

dad screams from behind us they learn

from the man

the crowd of parents and students behind

us laughs

on the way home dad asks if we should

stop at pollard's

i tell him i'm not hungry plus i have a

lot of homework even though i skipped

lunch today and finished my homework

during halftime

too good

lately i've been feeling like everything

in my life is going right

i beat jb and madden

our team is undefeated

i scored an a-plus in the vocabulary

test

plus mom's away at a conference which

means so is the assistant principal

i am a little worried though

because his coach likes to say

you can get used to things going well

but you're never prepared for something

going wrong

i'm on free throw number 27.

we take turns switching every time we

miss

jb has hit 41.

the last 12 in a row

filthy

keep up man keep up

he says

dad laughs loud and says filthy your

brother is putting on a free throw

clinic you better

and suddenly he bowls over

a look of horror on his face and starts

coughing while clutching his chest

only no sound comes

i freeze

jb runs over to him

dad you okay

he asks

i still can't move

there is a stream of sweat on dad's face

maybe he's overheating i say

his mouth is curled up like a little

tunnel

jb grabs the water hose

turns the faucet on full blast and

sprays dead

some of it goes in dad's mouth

then i hear the sound of coughing and

dad is no longer leaning against the car

now he's moving toward the hose and

laughing

so is jb

then dad grabs the hose and sprays both

of us

now i'm laughing too

but only on the outside

he probably

just got something stuck in his throat

jb says when i asked him if he thought

dad was sick and shouldn't we tell mom

what happened

so when the phone rings it's ironic that

after saying hello he throws the phone

to me

because

even though his lips are moving

jb is speechless

like he's got something stuck in his

throat

ironic adjective

having a curious or humorous unexpected

sequence of events

marked by coincidence

as in

the fact that vandy hates astronomy and

his mom works for nasa is ironic

as in it's not ironic that grandpop died

in the hospital

and dad doesn't like doctors

as in

isn't it ironic that show off jb with

all his swagger is too shy to talk to

miss sweet tea

so he gives me the phone

this is alexis

may i please speak to jordan

identical twins are no different from

everyone else

except we look

and sometimes sound exactly alike

phone conversation

i sub for

jb is that your brother

yep that was josh

i'm jb

i know who you are silly i called you

uh right

you have any siblings alexis

two sisters

i'm the youngest

and the prettiest

you haven't seen them

i don't need

to that's sweet

sweet as pomegranate

okay

that was random

that's me

jordan

can i ask you something

yep

did you get my text

uh

yeah

so what's your answer

uh my answer

i don't know

stop being silly jordan

i'm not

then tell me your answer

are you all rich

i don't know

didn't your dad play in the nba

no he played in italy

but still he made a lot of money right

it's not like we're opulent

who says opulent

i do

you never use big words like that at

school

i have a reputation to uphold

is he cool

who

you're dead

very

so when are you going to introduce me

introduce you

to your parents

i'm waiting for the right moment

which is when

uh

so

am i your girlfriend or not

uh

can you hold on for a second

sure

she says

cover the mouthpiece

jb mouths to me

i do then whisper to him

she wants to know if you are her

boyfriend

and when are you going to introduce her

to mom and dad

what should i tell her jb

tell her yeah i guess

i mean

i don't know

i gotta pee

jb says

running out of the room

leaving me still in his shoes

okay i'm back alexis

so

what's the verdict jordan

do you want to be my girlfriend

are you asking me to be your girl

uh i think so

you think so

well i have to go now

yes

guess what

i like you

a

lot i like you too

precious

so now i'm precious

everyone calls you jb

then i guess it's official

text me later

good night miss sweet

what did you call me

uh good night my sweetness

good night

precious

jb comes running out of the bathroom

what'd she say josh come on tell me

she said she likes me a lot

i tell him

you mean she likes me a lot

he asks

yeah

that's what i meant

jb and i eat lunch together every day

taking bites of mom's tuna salad on

wheat between arguments

who's the better dunker blake or lebron

which is superior nike or converse

only today i waited our table in the

back for 25 minutes texting vandy

homesick eating a fruit cup

alone

before i see jb strut into the cafeteria

with miss sweet tea

holding his precious hand

boy walks into a room

with a girl

they come over

he says

hey filthy mcnasty

like he said forever

but it sounds different this time

and when he snickers

she does too

like it's some inside joke

and my nickname

some dirty punchline

at practice

coach says we need to work on our mental

game

if we think we can beat independence

junior high

the defending champions the number one

seed the only other undefeated team

then we will

but instead of drills and sprints we sit

on our butts

make weird sounds

and

meditate i get this vision of jb in a

hospital

i quickly open my eyes turn around and

see him looking dead at me like he's

just seen a ghost

second person

after practice you walk home alone

this feels strange to you because as

long as you can remember there has

always been a second person

on today's long hot mile you bounce your

basketball but your mind is on something

else not whether you will make the

playoffs

not homework

not even what's for dinner

you wonder what jb and his pink reebok

wearing girlfriend are doing

you do not want to go to the library but

you go

because your report on the giver is due

tomorrow

and jb has your copy

but he's with her

not here with you

which is unfair

because he doesn't argue with you about

who's the greatest

michael jordan or bill russell like he

used to

because jb will not eat lunch with you

tomorrow or the next day or next week

because you are walking home by yourself

and your brother owns the world

third wheel

you walk into the library glance over at

the music section

you look through the magazines you even

sit at a desk and pretend to study

you ask the librarian where you can find

the giver

she says something odd

did you find your friend

then she points upstairs

on the second floor you pass by the

computers

kids checking their facebook

more kids in line waiting to check their

facebook

in the biography section you see an old

man reading the tipping point

you walk down the last aisle

team fiction

and come to the reason you're here

you remove the book from the shelf and

there

behind the last row of books

you find

the friend the librarian was talking

about

only she's not your friend

and she's kissing your brother

tipping point

noun

the point when an object shifts from one

position into a new entirely different

one

as in

my dad says the tipping point of our

country's economy

was housing gamblers and greedy bankers

as in

if we get one c on our report cards i'm

afraid mom will reach her tipping point

and that will be the end of basketball

as in

today at the library

i went upstairs walked down an aisle

pulled the giver off the shelf

and found my tipping point

the main reason i can't sleep

is not because of the game tomorrow

night

is not because the stubble on my head

feels like bugs or break dancing on it

it's not even because i'm worried about

dead

the main reason i can't sleep tonight is

because jordan is on the phone with miss

sweet tea

and between the giggling and the

breathing

he tells her how much he's the apple of

his eye

and that he wants to peel her and get

under her skin

and give me a break

i'm still hungry

and right about now i wish i had an

apple of my own

surprised

i have it all planned out

when we walk to the game i will talk to

jb

man to man about how he's spending way

more time with alexis than with me and

dad

except when i hear the horn i look

outside my window and it's raining and

jb is jumping into a car with miss sweet

tea and her dad

ruining my plan

conversation

in the car i asked dad

if going to the doctor will kill him

he tells me he doesn't trust doctors

that my grandfather did

and look where it got him

six feet under at 45.

but mom says your dad was really sick

i tell him

and dad just rolls his eyes

so i try something different

i tell him that just because your

teammate gets fouled on a layup

doesn't mean you shouldn't ever drive to

the lane again

he looks at me and laughs so loud

we almost don't hear the flashing blues

behind us

game time

6 p.m

at 5 28 p.m a cop pulls us over because

dad has a broken tail light

at 5 30 the officer approaches our car

and asks dad for his driver's license

and registration

at 5 32 the team leaves the locker room

and pre-game warm-ups begin without me

at 5 34 dad explains to the officer that

his license is in his wallet which is in

his jacket at home

at 5 37 dad says

look sir my name is chuck bell

and i'm just trying to get my boy to his

basketball game

at 5 47 while coach leads the wildcats

in team prayer

i pray dad won't get arrested

at 5 48 the cop smiles after verifying

dad's identity on google and says

you the man

at 5 50 dad autographs a krispy kreme

napkin for the officer and gets a

warning for his broken taillight

at 601

we arrive at the game

but on my sprint into the gym

i slip and fall in the mud

this is my second year

playing for the reggie lewis wildcats

and i've started every game until

tonight when coach tells me to go get

cleaned up then find a seat on the bench

when i try to tell him it wasn't my

fault he doesn't want to hear about

sirens and broken taillights

josh

better an hour too soon than a minute

too late

he says

turning his attention back to jb and the

guys on the court all of whom are

pointing and laughing at me

basketball rule number six

a great team has a good scorer with a

teammate who's on point and ready to

assist

josh's play-by-play

at the beginning of the second half

we're up 23-12

i entered the game for the first time

i'm just happy to be back on the floor

when my brother and i are on the court

together this team is unstoppable

unfadeable

and yes

undefeated

jb brings the ball up the court passes

the ball to vandy he shoots it back to

jb

i call for the ball jb finds me in the

corner

i know you all think it's time for the

pick and roll but i got something else

in mind

i get the ball on the left side

jb is setting the pick

here it comes

i roll to his right

the double team is on me leaving jb free

he's got his hands in the air looking

for the dish for me

dad likes to say when jordan bell is

open you can take his three to the bank

cash it in because it's all money

tonight

i'm going for broke

i see jb still wide open

mcdonald's drive-thru open

but i got my own plans

the double team is still on me like

feathers on a bird

ever seen an eagle soar

so high

so fly

me and my wings are

and that's what i remember

my wings

are gone

coach hawkins is out of his seat

dad is on his feet screaming jb

screaming the crowd screaming filthy

past the ball

the shot clock is at five

i dribble out of the double team

four

everything comes to a head three i see

jordan

too

you want it that bad

here you go

one

before

today

i walk into the gym covered in more dirt

than a chimney

when jb screams filthy's mcnasty

the whole team laughs

even coach

then i get benched for the entire first

half for being late

today i watch as we take a big lead and

jb makes four threes in a row

i hear the crowd cheer for jb

especially dad and mom

then i see jb wink at miss sweet tea

after he hits a stupid free throw

today

i finally get into the game at the start

of the second half

jb sets a wicked pick from me just like

coach showed us in practice and i get

double teamed on the road just like we

expect

today i watch jb get open and wait for

me to pass

instead i dribble

trying to get out of the trap

and watch his coach and dad scream for

me to pass

today i plan on passing the ball to jb

but when i hear him say

filthy give me the ball

i dribble over to my brother

and fire a pass so hard

it levels him

the blood from his nose still shooting

long after the shot clock buzzer goes

off

there