“Everybody’s talkin’ at me
I don’t hear a word they’re sayin’
Only the echoes of my mind…”
~ Harry Nilsson.
November & December, 1962.
Basketball season is in full swing, but April ditches cheer-leading practice and follows Patrick after school to his favorite spot by the river. Meanwhile, Charlie comes home from school with a cut lip and black eye. As Ms. Allen tends to him, Charlies reveals his plan for joining the Army right after graduation.
With Christmas break approaching, students decorate Naperville Central’s gym for the big dance. Dick (“Vossman”) asks April to go as his date, and grills her about her change in demeanor since the “new kid” came to town. Meanwhile, Tamika visits for the holidays hears about Charlie’s plan for the military from Ms. Allen, causing her to confront him about serving a country given the racial tensions and social unrest.
Colleen ask Patrick if he’s going to the big school dance, but he retreats to his room and rereads Ali’s letter. Meanwhile, April shows up at the dance with her friend Mary Jean and denies that she’s going to the prom with Dick. Mary Jean warns her that everyone has noticed her interest in the “weirdo” and how it’s destroying her “rep.” As if on cue, Dick asks April for a dance which leads to a fight on the dance floor while everyone watches.
