EXT. COUNTRY ROAD/ALABAMA – MORNING (1954)

               Mrs. Gump and Forrest wait for the school bus. The bus pulls
               up as Mrs. Gump prepares Forrest for his first day of school.

                                     MRS. GUMP
                         You do your very best now, Forrest.

                                     FORREST
                         I sure will, Momma.

                                     FORREST (V.O.)
                         I remember the bus ride on the first
                         day of school very well.

               The bus driver opens the door and looks down. Forrest walks
               to the steps of the bus and looks at the bus driver. She is
               smoking a cigarette.

                                     BUS DRIVER
                         Are you comin’ along?

                                     FORREST
                         Momma said not to be taking rides
                         from strangers.

                                     BUS DRIVER
                         This is the bus to school.

                                     FORREST
                         I’m Forrest Gump.

                                     BUS DRIVER
                         I’m Dorothy Harris.

                                     FORREST
                         Well, now we ain’t strangers anymore.

               The bus driver smiles as Forrest steps up into the bus.