Dizzy: All right, let's go. Irving, Latham, cover the Rook. Perry, fake left. Ricoli, you go long. Rico, flip six, three hole. Got it? Hey! Rico! Hey!

Dizzy slams Johnny upside his helmet with her hand.

Johnny: What?

Dizzy: You're drifting! Flip six, three hole on one, got it?

Johnny: Just throw me the ball, Diz.

Dizzy: Ready? Break!

They make fists and break.

Scrimmage line - Johnny takes position while Zander hangs back for deep cover.

Dizzy: Two! Six! Climb left! Screen! Hut!

At the snap, Johnny breaks for open field. Dizzy throws, Johnny catches it, trips Zander catches up and tackles Johnny, who hurls himself into the end zone.

Referee (blows whistle): He's in there! It's over!

Fans rush onto the playing field and lift Johnny on their shoulder. Zander looks dejected.

Johnny's house: Johnny's all spiffed up for the big dance. His mother catches him preening in front of a mirror.

Mother: Who said you could grow up so fast?

Johnny: Mom, don't get mushy.

Johnny's father enters carrying a Federal service catalogue.

Father: This came for you today. I presume at your request.

Johnny: A lot of my friends are doing Federal Service.

Mother: Well, you're not thinking of applying?

Father: Have you lost your mind? I'd rather take ten lashes in Public Square than see you ruin your life.

Johnny: It's a term of service. It's not a career. I just want to get out on my own, see the Galaxy for a couple of years.

Mother: Johnny, people get killed in the Federal Service.

Father: Who gave you this idea? It's that teacher, isn't it. What's his name? You know the one I'm talking about.

Johnny: Mr. Rasczak.

Father: Rasczak... Silly name. There should be a law against using a school as a recruiting station.

Johnny: No, Mr. Rasczak doesn't do that at all. He sorta discourages you.

Father: Well, that's good, because you're going to Harvard, and that's the end of it.

Johnny: It's my decision. Not yours.

Father: Oh, is that how it is?

Mother: Wait you two. Dad and I have a surprise for you that will settle this. Can you guess what it is?

Johnny: No.

Father: You wanted to see the galaxy? How about a trip to the Outer Rings? Zegema Beach. Huh?

Johnny: I've always wanted to go there.

Mother: Good. Then it's all settled.

Farewell Dance: - Everyone at the dance is dressed up. Rasczak and other teachers chaperone.

Carmen: Sure. Don't go away.

Johnny: I'm just gonna go see Mr. Rasczak

Dizzy, dressed pretty, brightens when she sees Johnny alone near the dance floor.

Dizzy: Hey, Rico, wanna dance?

Johnny: Actually, Diz, I promised Carmen . . .

Dizzy: Aw, come on. Too bad for her. She's not around.

Dizzy pulls him onto the floor, holds him close.

Dizzy: It's sad. After tonight, most of us probably won't see each other again.

There is an invitation here. Johnny doesn't take it.

Johnny: So, you still gonna play for Rio?

Dizzy: Yeah, looks like. Unless Tokyo lets me start.

Johnny: Well, anyone who gets you is lucky.

Dizzy: Johnny, how come we never got together?

Dizzy looks at Johnny meaningfully.

Johnny: Can't we just be friends, Diz?

Dizzy: Sure.

Johnny sees Rasczak greeting people.

Rasczak (shaking hands with guests): Okee-doke. Nice seeing you.

Johnny: Look, Diz, I want to talk to Mr. Rasczak.

Dizzy: Well, you better hurry up if you want to catch him.

Johnny: You're the best.

Johnny heads for Rasczak. Dizzy watches jealously. She looks around while everyone dances around her on the dance floor. Carl, a nerd in a tux, swoops in.

Carl: Hey.

Dizzy reluctantly accepts his gesture to dance.

Johnny: Mister Rasczak!

Rasczak: What is it, Rico?

Johnny: I want to thank you. Your class was the best one I had this year.

Rasczak (smiling): Well, it's really not my job to please. I just hope you learned something.

Johnny: I wanna join up. I think I got what it take to be a citizen.

Rasczak: Good for you. Go find out.

Johnny: Well, my parents are against it, I know it's my choice, I was wondering. What would you do if you were me?

Rasczak: Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone really has. Use that freedom. Make up your own mind, Rico.

Johnny walks through the crowd and finds Carmen talking with Zander. He wears the blue uniform of a Fleet pilot trainee.

Carmen (to Zander): Don't exaggerate.

Zander: You have really beautiful eyes.

Carmen: Johnny! This is Zander.

Zander: Yeah, we know each other from the game. No hard feeling?

Johnny: Oh, none at all. We won. Come on, Carmen. It's the last dance.

Carmen: Well, maybe I'll see you at the academy.

Zander: Yeah. Who knows? Good luck.

Carmen (dancing with Johnny): Zander's going for pilot too.

Johnny: You two have so much in common.

Carmen looks him in the eye.

Carmen: Johnny Rico, are you jealous?

Johnny: Well, maybe.

Carmen: You don't have to be jealous.

Carmen smiles, leans in and kisses Johnny.