October of 1999 - Point Place Cemetery

Bells ring throughout a gloomy cemetery. Several tombstones reunite us with old departed characters. Albert Forman (Red's father), Bernice Forman (Red's mother), Burt Sigurdson (Kitty's father), Beatrice Sigurdson (Kitty's mother), Pearl Sigurdson (Kitty's Aunt), Edna Hyde (Hyde's mother), Valerie Pinciotti (Donna's older sister), Tina Pinciotti (Donna's younger sister), Charlie Richardson (the gang's friend who died after falling off the water tower), Frank Turner (Red's friend)

Not far from them is another grave with the casket being lowered down. We find RED FORMAN (72) and KITTY FORMAN (66) together. Kitty is sobbing. Red tries to console his wife while trying to stay strong himself. We see something that is rare in Red, actual tears. By their side is our other main characters: ERIC and DONNA FORMAN (both 39), their son JEFF (9) and daughter VERONICA (8), STEVEN HYDE (40), MICHAEL KELSO (40) with his daughter BETSY (now 20), her mother BROOKE (42), JACKIE BURKHART (38) who despite having a feud with the deceased is still mourning, FEZ (38) who is remembering his short-lived marriage with the deceased, BOB PINCIOTTI (60), totally bald, Donna's mom and Bob's ex-wife MIDGE PINCIOTTI (59). Several other men are lined up. Red is unpleased with their presence. They're men of different age, race, status, etc.

We learn that the deceased is LAURIE FORMAN who died of cancer at the young age of 41. Despite her history with everyone, we know that deep down she loved everyone of them and that they all loved her.

Not far from Laurie's grave sight behind a tree is a young man name TYLER (18). He is about 5'10, long black hair. Jim Morrison-like appearance. Very much like Hyde, Eric, Kelso, and Fez when they were his age. Privately mourning Laurie. Probably even more so than anyone else even Red and Kitty, who would be mourning her the most. He peeks from behind the tree.

Each of our gang and the parents notice him. They're puzzled by his presence. They don't know him. But upon seeing him, they feel a strong connection to him. Almost like they've known him all their lives. Tyler knows them all. He knows them more than they know themselves. Even worse for them is that he knew Laurie better than they, her own family, knew her.

Kitty looks into Tyler's eyes. He stares into hers. They smile to each other. Kitty, a loving, caring, protecting, and nurturing woman feels a deep love for Tyler even though she's never met him. Tyler feels the same about her. Red sees him. Red's reaction is different than from what we normally see of him. He is not reacting the same way to him as he is towards the other men here. He has a familiar sense with Tyler. Like Tyler is him or Eric or Kitty or one of our boys.

The gang now grown up turn to him. They sense he's one of them. In fact, he reminds them of themselves at his age. His long hair like Kelso and Hyde's, his lost soul like Hyde, his sense of feeling of being a mistake or making many mistakes like Eric, his sense of being unwelcome and unloved in a new place like Fez, his sense of being free to explore like Donna. The only person he has no connection with is Jackie because she is still the snobby-popular type.

They each sense a history of Laurie in him. They know he knew her. They wish they can tell him to join them. But they cannot find the words or the signal. At the same time, Tyler feels unwelcomed and he does not dare enter her funeral.

Tyler gives the gang one last look and they all watch as he sneaks behind the tree. He disappears like a ghost in thin air. The entire funeral party, mostly our beloved 70s Show family/gang, are shocked by his sudden vanishing. They all ask themselves: Who is that young man? How does he know Laurie? What was his relationship with her? And why do they feel like they know him...like he's apart of them?

And that is a question we will eventually answer…

*DOWN THE STREET by CHEAP TRICKS plays*

IN THE VISTA CRUISER:

Hanging out: Eric, Donna, Hyde in the front seat with Kelso, Jackie, and Fez in the back.

Down the street: Red is driving, Kitty next to him, Eric and Kelso in the back...Tyler in the middle. Tyler is looking into us like he knows we're watching.

The same old thing: Tyler driving with a grin towards us, Eric and Donna next to him, Fez, Kelso, and Hyde are in the back.

We did last week: Red driving with Kitty next to him, Tyler in the middle...holding Bob back as he attempts to get up front with Red and Kitty.

Not a thing to do: Fez driving, Donna in the middle with both hands spread on the dashboard, Hyde in the passenger's seat, Eric, Kelso, and Jackie in the back.

But talk to you: Jackie is driving, Donna in the middle, and Kitty in the passenger's side. Tyler is in the back giving the girls looks.

We're all alright: Fez driving, Jackie in the middle, Kelso in the passenger's side, Donna, Eric, and Hyde in the back. Tyler outside the vista cruiser in the back peaking in.

We're all alright: Eric driving, Donna in the middle, and Hyde in the passenger's side with Fez, Kelso, and Jackie in the back.

We get a shot of just Tyler driving. He winks at us.

LICENCE PLATE EXPIRES: 1999

TYLER: HELLO, WISCONSIN!

STAY TUNE for more.