Watching People Burn
Andrew Kehoe opens the school door for the Hartes.
ANDREW KEHOE
After you, Mrs. Harte.
BLANCHE HARTE
And a gentleman too! Thank you, Mr. Kehoe.
Blanche Harte enters, followed by Mr. Harte. Andrew and Ellen Kehoe follow.
EXT. KEHOE FARM, OUTSIDE BATH – DAY – LATER
Monty Ellsworth walks up to the Kehoe farmhouse, where Andrew Kehoe is working outside.
MONTY ELLSWORTH
I just got in from town and thought I’d come round to congratulate you.
ANDREW KEHOE
Thank you, Monty. I’ll do my best to get through to them.
Ellen Kehoe walks by.
MONTY ELLSWORTH
Hello, Mrs. Kehoe. You’re looking well. You must be very proud of your husband.
ELLEN
Always, Mr. Ellsworth. And glad he’ll have something to keep him busy on the off-season, besides worrying after me.
ANDREW KEHOE
Never mind her, Monty.
Ellen coughs into a handkerchief. Monty Ellsworth looks alarmed.
ELLEN
Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Ellsworth. I’m in the peak of health.
Chapter 5: Banging Your Head Against the Windmill
INT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOLROOM – DAY
A school board meeting is in session, populated by the board itself and by a smattering of visitors. Among those present are Andrew Kehoe, superintendent Emory Huyck, and a SCHOOL BOARD LEADER.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Now that the school’s opened, I’d like to get a full accounting of its population. Superintendent Huyck?
EMORY HUYCK
At the time of its opening, the school had 236 students enrolled, in grades first to twelve.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Thank you. Now, for the current state of the budget, I’d like to turn to Treasurer Kehoe.
ANDREW KEHOE
As you know, construction ran considerably over budget, despite the oppressive property tax levied for this purpose. I’ve been over the books, and I can see no reason for it except for incompetence. Everything has cost more than expected, everything. We are now at a point, thanks to this incompetence, of having to worry about making basic necessities, such as payroll.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Let me open the meeting to thoughts on this matter.
EMORY HUYCK
We shall certainly have to make payroll.
ANDREW KEHOE
And we will. But there shall have to be a total suspension of all other costs.
EMORY HUYCK
Mr. Kehoe, the roof is yet to be finished!
ANDREW KEHOE
Then it shall simply have to wait. There’s no money for it.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Perhaps we will have to consider raising additional funds.
ANDREW KEHOE
And where are we going to get those funds? From yet more taxes, no doubt. Well, I, for one, know what it’s like to be a farmer. I know what it’s like to earn a living from hard work. And I can tell you that the present state of taxes is ruining us. I have a mortgage to pay, and we are struggling under this oppressive burden. One more dime, and you will see farms collapse – and not just mine, gentlemen, I assure you.
A scattering of applause from those citizens attending the meeting.
EMORY HUYCK
Well, the money shall have to come from somewhere.
ANDREW KEHOE
You have your budget, Mr. Huyck. I suggest you learn to live within it and tighten your belt. There shall be no new taxes. In fact, with the school built, we must look to lower these taxes. Unless you plan on building the school anew every year, Mr. Huyck.
Another scattering of applause from onlookers.
EXT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – MORNING – LATER
Children play on the lawn, before the start of school. Warden Keyes sits in his bus, unloading children. Several teachers are outside, monitoring the children.
Bernice Sterling stands talking to Blanche Harte, who has some of her own children around her. Andrew Kehoe approaches them.
ANDREW KEHOE
I have your paychecks, girls. Mrs. Sterling…
(hand her an envelope)
And Mrs. Harte.
(hand her an envelope)
Hazel Weatherby comes running up.
HAZEL WEATHERBY
I see you’re handing out free money, Mr. Kehoe.
ANDREW KEHOE
It’s not free, but it’s my pleasure to hand it out. Let’s see… Hazel Weatherby.
(rifles through the envelopes and hands her one)
Here you are.
HAZEL WEATHERBY
Thank you, Mr. Kehoe.
ANDREW KEHOE
Have a good day, girls.
Andrew Kehoe walks away, heading over to the bus. Its door is open and Warden Keyes sits inside it.
ANDREW KEHOE
Your paycheck, Mr. Keyes.
(hand him an envelope)
WARDEN KEYES
Thanks, Mr. Kehoe.
Andrew Kehoe walks off and heads into the school.
INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – MORNING (CONTINUOUS)
As children file to their classes, the school janitor, FRANK SMITH, mops the floor. Andrew Kehoe approaches him.
ANDREW KEHOE
Got something for you, Mr. Smith.
Andrew Kehoe hands Frank Smith an envelope.
INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL OFFICES – MORNING
As Andrew Kehoe is handing the SCHOOL SECRETARY a paycheck, Emory Huyck passes by.
ANDREW KEHOE
Oh, Mr. Huyck. I have your check.
(hand him an envelope)
EMORY HUYCK
Thank you, Mr. Kehoe.
Emory Huyck walks off.
INT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOLROOM – DAY – LATER
Another school board meeting is in session, attended by a smattering of visitors. On the board are Andrew Kehoe and the school board leader.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
1925
ANDREW KEHOE
Gentlemen, it is high time that we tell our citizens we no longer need this tax.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
But Mr. Kehoe, your own figures clearly indicate that we are still having trouble keeping within our budget.
ANDREW KEHOE
This is only due to the incompetence of Mr. Huyck, the school superintendent. Again and again, I have been witness to his financial mismanagement. He seems to spend and spend, like he has no concern for what anything costs.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
There is no evidence that he has mismanaged anything.
ANDREW KEHOE
Just the other week, I paid a bill he incurred for repairs to a wall in one of the classrooms. An astronomical bill, I might add. On a wall, newly built, at taxpayer expense.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Mr. Kehoe has already raised this issue with me, and I have had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Huyck about it. It seems that there was mold damage, caused by a minor flood.
ANDREW KEHOE
Gentlemen, with all due respect, many of us are farmers who have not been able to afford such repairs in years – and who have no hope to do so, thanks to these taxes that are pushing us towards starvation.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
I understand your position, Mr. Kehoe. But until we start running under our budgets, I see no way to reduce our income. We must pay for what we spend.
ANDREW KEHOE
The problem, as I see it, is that Mr. Huyck has too much money to spend to begin with. Unless you are willing to replace Mr. Huyck, I say the best course of action would be to simply lower taxes immediately. This would lift the burden off struggling farmers and put it on Mr. Huyck, forcing him to spend within his new limits.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
I’m afraid that’s not possible, at the moment. And there’s no evidence of any such mis
management on Mr. Huyck’s part, who I’m frankly concerned is being maligned.
ANDREW KEHOE
I have no objection to Mr. Huyck personally and have always enjoyed warm relations with him. But I do not think him qualified to be superintendent.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
I suppose you would be better.
ANDREW KEHOE
That’s not my intent. But I can assure you, I’d do a much better job of watching the bottom line.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
This is a school, not a business. I think you’ve had your say, Mr. Kehoe.
INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN – DAY – LATER
Andrew Kehoe and Ellen Kehoe sit, eating dinner.
ANDREW KEHOE
I’ve been asked to accept an appointment as township clerk.
ELLEN
When did this happen?
ANDREW KEHOE
A few days ago.
ELLEN
Have you decided?
ANDREW KEHOE
I believe I’ll accept. There’s going to be an election, later this year. I’d have to stand in it, if I want to keep this appointment.
ELLEN
Will you be giving up your role as school board treasurer?
ANDREW KEHOE
No, I can serve in both positions. I think it a good move. I’ve been productive, on the school board. But they won’t listen to me and replace that blasted superintendent. I’m reduced to the role of gadfly, keeping him in check as best I can and arguing for them to lower this infernal tax that’s killing us.
ELLEN
And you think things will be better as township clerk?
ANDREW KEHOE
I’d be clerk for the whole township, not just this wretched school. I may finally be in a position to change things around here. We can’t survive the way things are, and I know we’re not alone.
ELLEN
Do you think you’ll win in the election?
ANDREW KEHOE
I think so. I’m known as school board treasurer. People know what I stand for. And who knows? If they get to know me as township clerk, perhaps they’ll want me in some higher office. It could be a whole new career, one where my passion could count for something.
ELLEN
It’s good to see you hopeful, like this.
EXT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOL – DAY
People file in to the polls. Andrew and Ellen Kehoe walk up to the building. As they’re entering, Blanche Harte and her husband come out, so that they almost bump into each other.
ANDREW KEHOE
Pardon me, Mr. and Mrs. Harte.
BLANCHE HARTE
Oh, no, it’s my fault, Mr. Kehoe. And Mrs. Kehoe.
ANDREW KEHOE
I see you’ve just come from voting.
BLANCHE HARTE
Yes, Mr. Kehoe. Good luck in there!
Blanche Harte and her husband walk off.
ANDREW KEHOE
I get the distinct impression she did not vote for me.
ELLEN
Oh, don’t worry, husband. They’re just two people.
INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN – DAY – LATER
Andrew Kehoe and Ellen Kehoe sit, talking.
ANDREW KEHOE
Do they not care about having a competent person in the job?
ELLEN
Oh, it’s not the end of the world.
ANDREW KEHOE
It sure seems like it. It’s back to the school board, to those dreary meetings, fighting against corruption and no one listening.
ELLEN
There’ll be other elections. If you want.
ANDREW KEHOE
No, that’s it for me. The fix is in. I should never have taken that appointment.
ELLEN
It’s just one election. For township clerk. It doesn’t mean anything.
ANDREW KEHOE
No, they don’t like me. They know I’m smart, but I’m too passionate for my own good. It’s that damn Huyck. He’s poisoned everyone against me. They think I’m out to get him. Instead of rewarding me for caring about their money, they think I’m a troublemaker. Me! Of all people.
ELLEN
It doesn’t matter.
ANDREW KEHOE
It does matter. This tax is putting us in the poorhouse.
ELLEN
Surely, it’s not that bad. We still have savings.
ANDREW KEHOE
And we’re going through those savings.
ELLEN
It’s my medical bills, isn’t it?
ANDREW KEHOE
No, no, those can’t be helped. You deserve the best. Those, we could manage. If we didn’t have to pay these damned taxes, we’d be fine.
ELLEN
It’s my medical bills, isn’t it?
INT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOLROOM – DAY
Another school board meeting is in session, along with a few visitors. Andrew Kehoe and the school board leader are present, as part of the board.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
1926
ANDREW KEHOE
Sir, I once again implore you to focus on expenses. The people of this district have been burdened with these taxes for years now, with no end in sight.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Mr. Kehoe, your views are on record. But whether you like it or not, the voters have committed to building a modern school system here.
ANDREW KEHOE
Then allow me, sir, to speak frankly. I am, personally, on my very last reserves. I have bills to pay, insurance, and a mortgage.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
I’m sorry for your personal plight, and you have my every sympathy. Perhaps if you gave us something specific, a specific way to lower expenses. But we can’t just go slashing the school’s operations.
ANDREW KEHOE
I can give you something specific. I have here, in my records, a bill for $25. For wiring, in the school’s basement. It so happens that I am familiar with electrical equipment. This is a job that I could have done in a few hours’ time. There is simply no need for such an expense. And there are other examples – maintenance on the structure, which are really very trifling matters, yet for which I consistently receive bills from Mr. Huyck.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Your status as a handyman is not in question. I, myself, am not familiar with such matters as electronic wiring, and I expect that Mr. Huyck isn’t either.
ANDREW KEHOE
But you, unlike Mr. Huyck, know to defer to someone who is more expert at that particular field.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Very well. Would you like to perform these tasks instead? Would that satisfy you?
ANDREW KEHOE
It would be a start. And I would be glad to do so, if it meant we might consider lowering taxes.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
We’re a ways from that. But at least you might receive a small bit of income, which would at least allay your own personal troubles. All those in favor?
Virtually every school board member raises his hand.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
(continuing)
Well, Mr. Kehoe, it looks like you’re our school’s new maintenance man. You are hereby empowered to perform these duties and to charge the school a fair but moderate fee for your services.
ANDREW KEHOE
Thank you.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
Provided, of course, you’re as frugal with your own bills as you are with Mr. Huyck’s.
Scattered laughter from the room.
ANDREW KEHOE
I assure you, I have always been tighter with myself than I have ever demanded of the school.
SCHOOL BOARD LEADER
We’re counting on it. Now, if we may continue to other matters…
INT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOL BASEMENT – DAY
The basement is dark, with boxes all around, as if it’s used for storage. Andrew Kehoe inspects some damage to a wall.
Frank Smith
, the school janitor, enters with a mop.
FRANK SMITH
Oh, Mr. Kehoe. I didn’t know you were down here.
ANDREW KEHOE
I’m just inspecting to see what needs maintenance. I hope you don’t feel I’m stepping on your toes.
FRANK SMITH
Not at all, Mr. Kehoe. I’m just a janitor. My job’s to get things clean, not fix them up.
Frank Smith begins mopping, as Andrew Kehoe returns to his inspection.
INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN – DAY – LATER
Andrew and Ellen Kehoe sit in silence. Ellen coughs.
ELLEN
You haven’t told me how the board meeting went today.
ANDREW KEHOE
Same as ever. I tell them about my poor financial condition, and they do nothing.
Ellen coughs.
ELLEN
Surely, the maintenance work is something.
ANDREW KEHOE
Oh, it would be – if I were as unscrupulous as Emory Huyck!
Ellen coughs again.
ANDREW KEHOE
(continued)
But I am an honest man, born and bred. I charge the school only the bare minimum, barely more than my expenses.
ELLEN
But at least they’re seeing. That things don’t have to be so expensive all the time.
ANDREW KEHOE
Oh, I’ve given up. I have no power with the board. I can’t make a difference there. I’m just the angry man who rails against Huyck and against taxes.
Ellen coughs again.
ANDREW KEHOE
(continued)
They’ve heard it for years, that I’m in trouble, that farmers like me are in trouble, and they do nothing. Nothing! It’s like they don’t care.
Ellen coughs again.
ANDREW KEHOE
(continued)
They don’t, Nellie. They don’t care if we lose the farm. They don’t –
(seeing her hand)
There’s blood on your hand.
Ellen coughs again.
ELLEN
It’s okay, Andrew.
Andrew gets up and feels Ellen’s forehead.
ANDREW KEHOE
You’re burning up.
INT. ANDREW KEHOE’S CAR – DAY – LATER
Andrew Kehoe drives, with Ellen Kehoe in the passenger’s seat. She coughs, intermittently. She is sweating, clearly running a fever, and stares blankly out the window. He looks like he’s gritting his teeth, holding in anger.
ELLEN
Isn’t it beautiful, Andrew? The fields?
ANDREW KEHOE
(without moving his head)
They’re beautiful, Nellie. Just beautiful.