FORREST (V.O.)

Sometime later, for no particular

reason, somebody shot that nice young

President when he was ridin' in his

car.

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE - DAY SLOW MOTION - President Kennedy rises

in a convertible and smiles.

FORREST

And a few years after that...

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE - Robert Kennedy stands at a podium as people

around him applaud.

FORREST (V.O.)

...somebody shot his little brother,

too, only he was in a hotel kitchen.

EXT. SAVANNHA/BUS BENCH - DAY (1981)

Forrest sits on the bench and shakes his head.

FORREST

It must be hard being brothers. I

wouldn't know.

EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - DAY - GRADUATION DAY (1966)

Students in their caps and gowns step forward the podium to

receive their diplomas. Forrest's name is called. He steps

up and accepts his diploma.

DEAN

Forrest Gump.

FORREST (V.O.)

Now can you believe it? After only

five years of playing football, I

got a college degree.

The dean shakes Forrest's hand vigorously. Forrest looks out

into the crowd.

DEAN

Congratulations, son.

Mrs. Gump, sitting in the audience, cries.

FORREST (V.O.)

Momma was proud.

Forrest and Mrs. Gump have their picure taken in front of a

large statue. A military recruiter spots Forrest and steps

up to him.

MRS. GUMP

Forrest, I'm so proud of you. Here,

I'll hold this for you.

Mrs. Gump takes the diploma from Forrest. The recruiter slaps

Forrest on the shoulder and hands him some military

literature.

MILITARY RECRUITER

Congratulations, son. Have you given

any thought to your future?

FORREST

Thought?

Forrest looks at a pamphlet with a photo of " Uncle Sam" and

the caption " EXCELLENT CAREERS FOR EXCELLENT YOUNG MAN. Apply

now at your local U.S. Army Recruiting Center."

FORREST (V.O.)

Hello, I'm Forrest...

INT. ARMY BUS - DAY (1966)

Forrest steps onto the army bus. Rain pours outside as the

army bus driver yells at Forrest.

FORREST

...Forrest Gump.

ARMY BUS DRIVER

Nobody gives a hunk of shit who you

are, fuzzball! You're not even a

lowlife scum sucking maggot! Get

your faggoty ass on the bus. You're

in the Army now!

Forrest is about to sit on the first available seat, but the

recruit sitting there refuses Forrest.

RECRUIT #1

This seat's taken.

Forrest tries to sit on the next seat, but the 2nd recruit

slides over, blocking him.

RECRUIT #2

It's taken.

Forrest steps forward, looking much like he did on his first

bus ride to school years ago.

FORREST (V.O.)

At first, it seemed like I made a

mistake.

A large black recruit with a strange look on his face, much

like Forrest's, looks up from his seat. His name is BUBBA.