MRS. GUMP. What does normal mean, anyway?

What does normal mean, anyway? He

might be a bit on the slow side, but

my boy Forrest is going to get the

same opportunities as everyone else.

He's not going to some special school

to learn to how to re-tread tires.

We're talking about five little points

here. There must be something can be

done.

INT. HALLWAY

Forrest sits outside the principal's office.

PRINCIPAL

We're a progressive school system.

We don't want to see anybody left

behind.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

PRINCIPAL

Is there a Mr. Gump, Mrs. Gump?

MRS. GUMP

He's on vacation.

EXT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE - NIGHT

Forrest sits on a swing outside the house. Loud organic male

grunts are heard coming from inside the house. Forrest sits

on the swing as the grunts continue. The principal steps out

of the Gump House and wipes the sweat from his face.

Forrest is sitting on the porch.

PRINCIPAL

Well, your momma sure does care about

your schooling, son. Mm-mm-mm.

The principal wipes the sweat from his neck, then looks back

at Forrest.

PRINCIPAL

You don't say much, do you?

Forrest grunts, imitating him. The principal, embarrassed,

turns and walks away.

INT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE/FORREST'S BEDROOM

Mrs. Gump reads from the book " Curious George" as Forrest

sits on the bed and listens.

MRS. GUMP

Finally, he had to try it. It looked

easy, but, oh, what happened. First

there...

FORREST

Momma, what's vacation mean?

MRS. GUMP

Vacation?

FORREST

Where Daddy went?

MRS. GUMP

Vacation's when you go somewhere,

and you don't ever come back.

Forrest lies down on his bed and looks up.

FORREST (V.O.)

Anyway, I guess you could say me and

Momma was on our own.

EXT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE - DAY

A cab driver closes the trunk of the car as two women walk

toward the house. A milkman steps down from the porch.

FORREST (V.O.)

But we didn't mind. Our house was

never empty. There was always folks

comin' and goin'.

MRS. GUMP (V.O.)

Suppa.

INT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE

Mrs. Gump steps forward and speaks to all the boarders.

MRS. GUMP

It's suppa, everyone. Forrest...

A MAN WITH A CANE steps left across the hall.

MAN WITH CANE

My, my. That sure looks special.

Mrs. Gump looks into a sitting room and informs the boarders

about dinner.

MRS. GUMP

Gentlemen, would you care to join us

for supper? Hurry up and get it before

the flies do. I prefer you don't

smoke that cigar so close to mealtime.

FORREST (V.O.)

Sometimes we had so many people

stayin' with us that every room was

filled with travelers. You know,

folks livin' out of their suitcases,

and hat cases, and sample cases.

MRS. GUMP

Well, you go ahead and start. I can't

find Forrest.

Mrs. Gump walks up the stairs.