THE FACTORY. CHARLIE is at his desk leafing through some papers. LUKE enters the office, goes to put a piece of paper in the “In” bin, and, noticing that it is empty, turns to Charlie.
LUKE: Are those the current orders?
CHARLIE: Yeah. But I think we’re missing some.
LUKE: (Putting the paper on the pile in front of Charlie) Well, here’s one more.
CHARLIE: (Picking it up) That’s it? Where are the rest of them? This is only, like, half the amount of purchase orders we usually have.
LUKE: I know. I guess our “busy season” is over.
CHARLIE: I didn’t know we had one.
LUKE: We should’ve figured things would slow down soon. I mean, most of the furniture we make is for hotels. And there are only a finite amount of hotels we can accommodate. We knew we’d have to acquire more clients sooner or later.
CHARLIE: Yeah, better sooner than later. Man, I was hoping things would slow down a little…not come to a screeching halt. We’ve gotta do something about this fast.
LUKE: (Leaning against the desk) Well, I know how you feel about going commercial, but…I think we should check out the major furniture chains. (Charlie looks up at Luke) Charlie, I know when you started, you wanted to produce exclusive work, but we need to take on some bigger accounts to be the backbone of this operation. With the profits we’d make from them, we could afford to have seasonal slump.
CHARLIE: But what do we do when the “busy season” kicks in again? With bigger clients comes bigger demand. We really don’t have the ability to work at that kind of capacity. When I took over this business, I fully intended to keep this place small…to add that personal touch to my work. Like there’s a part of me that goes into every piece. And I still want the furniture I make to have that feel about it.
LUKE: (Stands up) Well, then…we’ll have to figure out a way to get by. (Walking toward the door) In the meantime, think about it, Charlie. Sometimes you have to “sell out” a little in order to survive.
CHARLIE: (Runs his fingers through his hair, and sighs) I’d need to be sure I could service all of our clients all of the time. I’d need to keep everyone happy at all times.
LUKE: Of course…that’s the Charlie Salinger way. (Luke smiles and exits as Charlie slouches in his chair.)
PO5 Credits
PEDDLER’S VILLAGE in Pennsylvania. BAILEY, WILL, MARIA and JEAN walk out of a book store. Maria is holding a “Canterbury Tales Book Shoppe” shopping bag.
WILL: (To Maria) Wait, so Wordsworth and Wadsworth are two different guys? (Jean laughs.) What? I thought people just pronounced it differently.
MARIA: William Wordsworth was a British poet. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was American.
WILL: Well, that’s just too confusing for me. That Longfellow guy could have made it a lot easier if he just went by “Henry W. Longfellow.” (Bailey and Maria look at Will incredulously.) Food for thought. (Jean smiles.)
BAILEY: How about if we get some food for stomachs. I’m dying.
MARIA: (Pointing to a Japanese resturant) How about that? I could go for some sushi.
BAILEY: Sounds good.
JEAN: Um, I don’t know. That crepe place looked pretty good.
MARIA: I didn’t know you like crepes.
JEAN: Oh yeah. Love ‘em.
BAILEY: Will?
WILL: Let’s see…delicious French pancake with the filling of my choice, or uncooked fish. Delicious pancake…uncooked fish. That’s a tough one.
JEAN: Look, why don’t you guys get some sushi and we’ll get our crepes? We can meet back in an hour.
MARIA: Okay by me.
BAILEY: All right. (Bailey and Jean begin walking toward the sushi place, and Jean turns to Will, speaking quietly.)
JEAN: Do you really like crepes?
WILL: Can’t stand ‘em.
JEAN: Me, neither. (They smile at each other and begin walking in the opposite direction.)
GRIFFIN’S APARTMENT. GRIFFIN is walking out of his bedroom as MICHELLE enters through the front door. They both stop and look at each other for a moment, then Michelle looks down at the floor, placing her keys on the small table by the door.
GRIFFIN: Uh…hey.
MICHELLE: (Walking past him toward the kitchen) Hey.
GRIFFIN: (Running his fingers through his hair.) Listen…uh…I…don’t know if saying sorry is going to help, but…I am sorry. (He pauses.) I don’t like seeing you upset like this, and you’re like the last person on earth I’d ever want to hurt. (Michelle turns around and forces a smile.)
MICHELLE: There’s nothing for you to be sorry about, Griffin. You didn’t do anything.
GRIFFIN: But you’re still upset with me…
MICHELLE: (Laughing nervously) Oh God, I’m not upset with you. I’m just…totally and completely humiliated, and kicking myself in the butt, that’s all.
GRIFFIN: What? Come on, there’s no reason for you to feel that way.
MICHELLE: Easy for you to say…you’re not the one who made a complete fool of yourself, pouring your heart out to someone who thinks of you as just a friend. (Half to herself) Now I know what Cyrano must have felt like.
GRIFFIN: Who?
MICHELLE: Never mind. Listen, don’t worry about it. I’ll get over it. (She manages a small smile.) And I’m happy for you and Julia, really.
GRIFFIN: Well…I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better. And you aren’t “just” a friend…you’re one of my best friends. So I hope you won’t avoid me forever.
MICHELLE: (Looking at him) Naw…just maybe until the next millennium...
FILENE’S BASEMENT, MANHATTAN. SARAH and MAX are in the clothing department. Sarah is eyeing an outfit on a mannequin.
SARAH: What do you think? Does it look like something that would catch the eye of a California modeling agent?
MAX: (Thinking) An agent? Nah. They’re definitely looking for skin. You should try something a little more…revealing.
SARAH: (Smiling) Revealing? God, if this works out…I wonder how “revealing” I would have to get? I’d like to leave something for the imagination. (She starts to sort through a clothing rack. Max holds up a multi-colored sweater.)
MAX: Now if you’re looking to hide some skin, try this. You would look great!
SARAH: Really? I guess it does look nice. But I’m on the “I want to eat for the rest of the week” budget until I leave for L.A.
MAX: Well, hey, if you’re going to become a supermodel you’re going to need some supermodel clothes. Let me buy it for you.
SARAH: Wow…thanks. But I can’t let you do that. And who said anything about becoming a supermodel? (Smiling) Anyway, I’m going to California, not Canada. So I won’t be needing very many sweaters.
MAX: Well, you can wear it when you get back.
SARAH: Who knows when that’ll be?
MAX: What do you mean?
SARAH: They’re just not sure how long the shoot will take. I’m supposed to be back at the end of the month, but it’s kinda iffy.
MAX: That’s okay. I can wait.
SARAH: (Hesitantly) But…I’m not asking you to.
MAX: I know. (Smiling) But I will, anyway. (Sarah lowers her brows as she looks at Max.)
PEDDLER’S VILLAGE. BAILEY and MARIA walk out of the sushi restaurant.
MARIA: Is it me…or was that the worst sushi you’ve ever had?
BAILEY: It’s not you.
MARIA: Any chance the UPenn health plan covers getting your stomach pumped? (They both laugh.)
BAILEY: Whatever you do, don’t tell Will how bad it was. He’s one of those “I-told-you-so” kinda guys.
MARIA: Got it. (Maria looks at her watch.) Hey, we’ve still got some time to kill before we meet them. Wanna check out the carousel?
BAILEY: Not unless you want to see the fish I ate a second time.
MARIA: Gross! I didn’t mean to ride on the carousel. I just like watching the kids.
BAILEY: Oh, okay. (They approach the beautiful, antique carousel, which is spinning and playing circus-like music. They sit on a bench a few yards away.)
MARIA: (Sighing) This reminds me of being a little girl.
BAILEY: Me, too. (Maria playfully hits Bailey on the leg.) Ow!
MARIA: I’m trying to reminisce here, okay? (Bailey smiles, rubbing his leg.) I mean, look at the smile on that little girl’s face. She doesn’t have a worry in the world. As long as that horse keeps going up and down, she’s happy. (Turning to Bailey) I can hardly remember when happiness was that simple.
BAILEY: No kidding. Kinda depressing, when you think about it. (Pointing to the carousel) And look at that little boy with his Dad. He’s having the time of his life. (Bailey sighs.) Why is happiness so easy to come by when you’re a kid? (Maria notices something on the carousel.)
MARIA: Hey, maybe we spoke too soon. (Pointing to the carousel.) Those kids don’t seem to be having such a good time.
BAILEY: Who?
MARIA: (Pointing) Those two…in the loveseat. They look scared to death. Look at the way they’re clutching on to each other.
BAILEY: I still don’t see.
MARIA: Right there. The big, goofy kid with the red hair.
BAILEY: Oh, yeah. Now I— (Bailey’s eyes open widely.) Wait a minute...
MARIA: What?
BAILEY: (Standing up) That’s not a goofy kid. That’s Will.
MARIA: (Standing up) And Jean! (Turning toward Bailey) What are they doing on the carousel? (Bailey and Maria look on for a moment, still in shock. The camera cuts to the carousel, and Will and Jean begin kissing. The camera cuts back to Bailey and Maria. Maria is covering her mouth, smiling, as Bailey tries holding in his laughter. They look at each other, and begin laughing together.)
DAPHNE AND LUKE’S APARTMENT. LUKE enters the apartment, holding a letter in his hand. He walks into the kitchen, where he sees DAPHNE picking up raisins that are scattered all over the floor. MATTHEW is sitting in his high chair, laughing and holding an empty bowl.
LUKE: Hey, hon.
DAPHNE: Hey.
LUKE: No point in asking whether Matthew was a good boy today, huh?
DAPHNE: (Standing up) Very observant. (Throwing away the raisins) I don’t know what’s gotten into this kid. One minute he’s a little angel…the next I expect fire to come out of his nostrils.
LUKE: (Half to himself) I wonder where he gets that from.
DAPHNE: I guess it would have to be me, right? We all know what a great guy your little friend Griffin is.
LUKE: Look, can we not talk about that for one evening?
DAPHNE: I’m sorry. I’m just grumpy, I guess. (Noticing an envelope in Luke’s pocket.) What’s that?
LUKE: Oh, it’s for you. (Handing the envelope to Daphne.) It was sent to Charlie’s old place and forwarded to his new address. Who lives in Abilene?
DAPHNE: My mother. (She begins opening the envelope.) I was still living with Charlie the last time we talked. She probably wants to tell me about a new boyfriend…or borrow some— (Daphne begins reading the letter. After a moment, she covers her mouth and leans against the counter.) Oh my God.
LUKE: Daphne, what is it?
DAPHNE: My mother. (Looking up.) She died.
CHARLIE’S HOUSE. CHARLIE enters the house and hangs his coat on the hall coat rack. He steps into the living room and sees Kirsten sleeping on the couch. She has the remote control in her hand, and the television is still on. Charlie eases the remote out of her hand and turns off the television. He smiles, then he begins climbing the stairs. He quietly enters Stewie’s room,which is lit only by the night light, and he sees STEWIE sleeping in his crib. He rests one hand on the crib railing, reaching in with the other hand, gently rubbing Stewie’s back.
CHARLIE: (Quietly) Look at you, the “littlest Salinger”. So what do you think I should do? Should I sell the restaurant to the bad man who wants to change everything? (Smiling) Change can be good though, right? I mean, things changed when your sister Diana came along…and that was a good change. Then you came along, and things changed again, and it made things even better. So how bad could it be, huh? (Pausing) That restaurant has been in this family for a long, long time. It has a family history, you know. Your Grandpa used to take me to work with him, and I used to just sit there and watch him. After Grandpa died, I started taking your Uncle Owen there to work with me. I always thought that someday he’d be taking you to work with him…and eventually you’d be taking your own kids there to work with you, like…a family tradition or something. (His smile fades) If I sell now, I’d be taking all that away from you. You wouldn’t have any of your own memories of Salingers’. (Stroking Stewie’s hair) You never had the chance to know your Grandma and Grandpa. That restaurant is the only gift they can give you. (Leans over, and kisses him) Goodnight, Stuart Nicholas Salinger.
PEDDLER’S VILLAGE. BAILEY and MARIA are standing in front of the Peddler’s Pub restaurant as JEAN and WILL approach.
WILL: So, did you guys enjoy eating your bait and rice?
BAILEY: Uh…yeah. It was great.
MARIA: Yet somehow I don’t think we enjoyed our dinner as much as you did. Or should I say, dessert… (She and Bailey laugh.)
JEAN: Huh? (She looks at Will, confused.)
BAILEY: (Smiling) Um…we kinda saw you…
MARIA: …on the carousel. (Jean and Will look at each other and Jean’s face reddens.)
WILL: Whoops. Guess we’re busted. (He smiles.)
JEAN: (Smiling back and burying her head against Will’s shoulder) Great…
BAILEY: Hey, come on. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
MARIA: Yeah! We think it’s great that you two have hit it off.
WILL: (Looking at Jean) So I guess now that we’ve been found out, it’s okay for me to do this. (He puts his arms around Jeans shoulders and dips her, then leans over and plants a huge kiss on her lips.)
JEAN: (Coming up for air and giggling) Will!
BAILEY: (Shaking his head and laughing) We’ve created a monster… (Jean blushes again and Will puts his arm around her as the four friends laugh and walk down the street together.)
LUKE AND DAPHNE’S APARTMENT. DAPHNE is sitting on the couch in the living room, holding MATTHEW and rocking back and forth. She has a blank look on her face. LUKE comes into the room and sees her. He stands in front of her and speaks softly.
LUKE: Here, Daphne. Let me take him. You must be numb by now from sitting there so long. (He reaches out and slides his hands under Matthew, who is sleeping. He lifts Matthew up and takes him into the other room. Daphne continues to rock back and forth. A moment later, Luke comes back into the room.) Come on and get something to eat. You must be starving.
DAPHNE: (Flatly) No, thanks. I don’t think I can eat right now.
LUKE: (Sitting down on the couch next to her, and puts one arm around her, brushing her hair back with his hand.) It’s okay to cry, honey. You shouldn’t hold it in. (He leans in and kisses her on the cheek.) Just let it out.
DAPHNE: (Still staring blankly) It’s funny…my mom tried so hard to be a part of my life after Diana was born, but I wouldn’t let her. It was like I just couldn’t. (Looking at him) Isn’t that terrible?
LUKE: You don’t need to explain it to me, Daphne. We all say and do things we might change our minds about later. I guess at the time, it seems like the best decision. It’s what works for that moment. So don’t beat yourself up about that decision you made. Because it felt right at the time, and you had your reasons.
DAPHNE: (Her eyes moist) But what reason was good enough to shut her out like that? To make her miss out on seeing her beautiful granddaughter? Nothing my mom ever did in the past made her deserve that. And now it’s too late. She’ll never get to know her beautiful grandson, either. And I’ve robbed them of ever getting to know her. (Luke hugs Daphne tight as the scene fades.)
JULIA’S APARTMENT. JULIA and GRIFFIN are lying on the couch in the living room. Julia is leaning back against Griffin’s chest, and he has his arms around her. Julia turns her head to face him and they kiss.
GRIFFIN: Mmmmm. God, I’ve missed that. I didn’t even know how much. (He runs his fingers across her hair.)
JULIA: (Giggling) Me, too. (They kiss again, and then Julia leans back and closes her eyes.) So, do you think Michelle will ever talk to me again?
GRIFFIN: I hope so. I hope she’ll still talk to both of us. (He pauses.) I feel really bad for her, you know? I just didn’t even have a clue how she felt about me.
JULIA: (Smiling) And I guess she didn’t have a clue how you felt about me. ‘Cuz you sure fooled me, too.
GRIFFIN: Come on, deep down you knew it. And I think she knew it, too.
JULIA: Maybe…
GRIFFIN: (Sighing) Things are going to be kind of weird for a while…
JULIA: (Turning her head towards him again) Then I guess you’ll just have to spend more time at my place… (She giggles as Griffin leans in to kiss her. She turns so that she is lying on his chest, and they embrace as the camera pulls back and the scene fades.)
JUILLIARD. CLAUDIA and SARAH are walking to Claudia’s dorm.
CLAUDIA: Well, you just have to tell Max he’s not your boyfriend. I mean, gosh, he can’t just put a tag on you and say he’ll wait for you until you come back.
SARAH: I know. I mean, he’s a nice guy and all. It’s just…it feels like I’m being rushed, you know? Like everything’s happening too fast.
CLAUDIA: Well, maybe it’s a good thing that you’ll be gone for a little while. It’ll give you some space and you’ll have time to think about how you feel.
SARAH: I guess. (The girls pass a practice room and see TESS setting up her cello to begin playing.)
SARAH: Hey wasn’t that…?
CLAUDIA: Tess. I’ve never heard her play before. (Claudia and Sarah hide behind the door to the practice room. Without any sheet music, Tess takes a seat and begins to play a melancholy refrain with long, slow notes. Claudia and Sarah look at each other in amazement as Tess continues playing. The song concludes with a long, low note and Tess sighs. Claudia and Sarah enter the room.)
CLAUDIA: Tess! That was beautiful! Maybe I’m just amazed because I’ve never heard you play before, but that was great.
TESS: (Surprised) Oh. Thank you, Claudia. I’m glad you liked it.
CLAUDIA: I thought I knew all the great classical pieces but that one didn’t sound familiar.
TESS: I would be surprised if it did, considering I wrote it.
SARAH: That’s amazing. It was so tragic.
CLAUDIA. So haunting.
SARAH: What is it called?
TESS: “Tess.” (Claudia and Sarah look at each other, surprised at the response.)
DAPHNE AND LUKE’S APARTMENT. LUKE opens the front door to find DAPHNE in the kitchen with MATTHEW in one arm, putting some last minute items into the diaper bag. He walks over to Daphne and kisses her forehead as she stuffs a jar of baby food into the bag. Matthew burbles and extends his hands out to Luke.
LUKE: Hey. Where are you running off to?
DAPHNE: I just have a quick errand to take care of.
LUKE: Want some company? I can come with you…wherever it is you’re going.
DAPHNE: No, that’s okay. I won’t be long.
LUKE: Why don’t you leave the baby with me? That’ll make things easier.
DAPHNE: (Brushing past Luke toward the front door) No, no. It’s fine. I’ll be right back, I promise. (She comes back to give Luke a quick kiss on the lips and then she’s out the door. Luke stands there, looking baffled, as the scene fades.)
CHARLIE’S HOUSE. KIRSTEN is thumbing through her CDs. STEWIE sits on the floor next to her.
KIRSTEN: (In a high-pitched voice) What does my little man what to listen to, huh? Classical Music for Babies? No, too serious. Hmm…how about this? (She holds a CD in front of Stewie.) Kenny G.? (Stewie pushes the CD away from him and Kirsten smiles.) You are your father’s son, aren’t you? (Kirsten puts the Kenny G. CD back and Stewie picks up a CD.) What have you got there, sweetie? (Kirsten looks at the CD. It’s the soundtrack to Phantom of the Opera. Kirsten’s smile fades as she looks at the CD, lost in thought.)
GRIFFIN’S APARTMENT. GRIFFIN is in the kitchen making a sandwich, when there is a knock at the door. Griffin looks surprised. He walks over, looks through the peephole, and slowly opens the door to see DAPHNE standing there, holding MATTHEW.
GRIFFIN: Uh…Daphne. Hi.
DAPHNE: Hi. (Matthew looks at Griffin, giggles, waves his arms and kicks his legs.)
GRIFFIN: Hey there, buddy. (Nervously) Today’s…Friday, right? Not Wednesday…did I forget a change in the schedule or something?
DAPHNE: No, no. There wasn’t any change. And I’m sorry I didn’t call. I just thought…well, that maybe Matthew might like to spend a little time with his father. That is, if you’re not too busy.
GRIFFIN: Too busy? (Breaking into a smile) Naw, I’m not too busy at all. (Still slightly confused) Are you sure?
DAPHNE: (Cheerfully) Okay, well, I’ll come back and get him in a few hours then. Say, at seven o’clock? (She hugs Matthew tightly, kisses him and hands him to Griffin. Matthew grabs hold around Griffin’s neck. ) I’ve just changed him and he’s had a bottle already. There’s an extra one in the bag, plus a jar of carrots if you need it. (To Matthew) You be a good boy now, and Mommy will see you later. (She kisses him again, then looks at Griffin with a strained smile.)
GRIFFIN: Wow. Okay. I’ll see you then…and, uh…thanks, Daphne. (She nods her head and goes out the front door. Griffin shuts it behind her then holds Matthew up to his face, smiling squarely at him.) What’s gotten into her? (Outside the apartment, Daphne begins walking toward the stairs. After a few steps, she holds on to the railing and breaks down sobbing.)
CLAUDIA’S DORM ROOM. CLAUDIA’S bedroom is almost completely dark except for the moonlight that seeps through the shades. Claudia tosses once in her bed and reaches her arm to pick up an empty glass of water. She sighs as she puts it down. She pushes her covers off of her and takes a step off the bed. Claudia quietly tip-toes around the futon Sarah is sleeping on, trying not to wake her. She stops when she hears Sarah speak.
SARAH: (Whispering) Don’t worry, Claud. I’m not sleeping. (Claudia turns around in the moonlight.)
CLAUDIA: (Softly) Hey. What’s the matter? It’s late. You should be asleep.
SARAH: (Sitting up) It’s no use. I just can’t fall asleep. I’m too excited!
CLAUDIA: (Sitting down next to Sarah) Too excited? About what…the trip or Max?
SARAH: (Teasingly) Oh, shut up! The trip, of course. I mean, could you sleep when you first came out here to Juilliard?
CLAUDIA: Oh God, I couldn’t sleep for a week. There were so many things to explore, I didn’t have time to sleep! I just tossed and turned.
SARAH: Well, that’s how I feel. You know, I came to New York looking for some kind of…fulfillment. Ever since then I have been waiting for something or someone to turn me in a new direction…and that’s what’s happening. Finally. (Sarah takes Claudia’s hand.) Thank you.
CLAUDIA: For what?
SARAH: For giving my life new direction. (Claudia smiles bashfully.)
CLAUDIA: Sarah…
SARAH: And for letting me stay here. Are you sure it’s okay that I keep my stuff here?
CLAUDIA: Hey, it’s no problem at all. I’m really going to miss you. It was hard being away from my family…and Todd. But having a friend here really helped. (Sarah looks down, smiling.) It’s been great having you here. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to sharing a room with a sister again. (Sarah smiles and throws her arms around Claudia who returns the hug.)
A RUNNING TRACK at the University of Pennsylvania. BAILEY and WILL are jogging as the morning sun peeks over the campus buildings. The coldness in the air is evident as the boys’ breath is visible each time they exhale.
WILL: I thought you said it would be cold. Freezing is more like it.
BAILEY: Give it a couple weeks. You’ll get used to it.
WILL: I’d have brought a second ass if I knew I’d be freezing off my first one. Man, I’m exhausted. (Bailey begins walking.)
BAILEY: Hey, don’t overexert yourself. You want to rest for a few?
WILL: No, it’s not that. I was on the phone with Jean until almost three a.m.
BAILEY: What?
WILL: (Smiling) Yeah, it was so cute. She fell asleep and I listened to her breathe for like five minutes. (Will smiles, waiting for Bailey’s reaction. Bailey just looks at Will, shaking his head.) What, you don’t think that’s cute?
BAILEY: “Cute’s” not the first word that comes to mind. (Bailey begins jogging on, and Will calls after him.)
WILL: Yeah, well maybe you’re just not the romantic type. (Will begins mumbling under his breath as he begins jogging again.)
DAPHNE’S HOUSE. CHARLIE is taking DIANA out of the truck. As he unfastens the seatbelt from the car seat, Diana points to the house and says, “Mommy.” Charlie smiles, picks her up out of the car seat, and walks to the front door. He lets Diana ring the doorbell, telling her what a big girl she is as they wait for someone to answer the door. The door opens and DAPHNE appears.
DAPHNE: (Grinning) Hey, Sweetie! Hi, Pumpkin! (She reaches for Diana.)
DIANA: Mommy! (Diana goes to her.)
DAPHNE: Hey, there. Mommy’s missed you sooo much. (Embracing each other, Daphne closes her eyes as she holds her.) Do you know how much I love you?
DIANA: I love you too, Mommy.
CHARLIE: She misses you, too.
DAPHNE: (Looking over Diana’s shoulder to Charlie) Oh, I’m sorry…would you like to come in?
CHARLIE: I only have a minute… (He enters, drops the overnight bag in the corner of the foyer, and follows Daphne into the kitchen.)
DAPHNE: You want some coffee? I was just making a fresh pot.
CHARLIE: No, thanks. (Daphne struggles to prepare the coffee, still clutching Diana.) You know, it would be a lot easier if you put her down.
DAPHNE: No, no…I got it. (Holding the coffee can in one hand behind Diana’s back, while trying to scoop the coffee out with the other, she spills some onto the counter.)
CHARLIE: Diana, why don’t we see if Rugrats is on? Come on, show me how a big girl turns on the TV. (Diana wriggles down out of Daphne’s arms, and runs into the living room as Charlie speaks to Daphne) Are you okay? (She smiles and nods.) I heard about your mom…I’m really sorry.
DAPHNE: Thanks. (She bites her upper lip.)
CHARLIE: If you need me to watch Diana for a few days…
DAPHNE: (Shaking her head) That’s okay. It’s weird, but all of a sudden it’s like, I want to be with my kids all the time. Like I want to spend every minute with them, you know? So that they know not a moment goes by that I’m not there for them…and how much I love them.
CHARLIE: Come on, Daph. (Puts his hand on her shoulder) You’re not your mother. The kids know that you love them…and that you’ll always be around. You’re always here waiting for them to come home, and if not, you’re the one who’s out there picking them up. They know they can count on you. You’re a great mom.
DIANA: (Running into the room) Mommy! Daddy! Come see! (Grabbing both Charlie’s and Daphne’s hand, pulling them toward the living room) This is the best one! Tommy gets a little brother…just like me! (Mimicking the show) “This is the bestest present ever!”
CHARLIE: See? Look how happy she is. You’re doing a great job with her, Daph…and with Matthew, too. (After a pause.) Griffin told me what you did. I think it’s great. I really do.
DAPHNE: Well, it just felt like the right thing to do. Matthew deserves to know that his father loves him, and wants to be with him, too. I can’t take that away from him, you know? I won’t. I don’t want my kids to ever feel one little bit of what I felt with my mom. These kids are so lucky to have so many people love them, and they should feel that every second of every day of their lives…not just when it’s convenient for their mother.
CHARLIE: Daphne…
DAPHNE: No, I mean it, Charlie. I want to be a better person than that…I want to be a better mom. I just hope I can do it. It’s in my genes, you know? It’s kind of hard to fight something that’s hereditary.
CHARLIE: I’ve seen you do it before. (Extending his arm out toward Diana) Look at how far you’ve come already. (Daphne looks down.) You can do anything you set your mind to…I believe that about you. You have such a strong will...you’re a fighter, taking on the world to stand up for what you believe. That’s the Daphne I loved…and it’s good to see her again. (Daphne looks up at Charlie, smiling.) And you should’ve seen how excited Diana was when I pulled up to the house. She couldn’t wait to be with you again. So you must be doing something right.
DAPHNE: (Smiling) How about that cup of coffee now?
CHARLIE: No, really, I’ve got to go. I have a meeting at Salingers’ in like fifteen minutes. (He kneels down, kisses and hugs Diana good-bye, then walks over and kisses Daphne on the forehead.) The Unsinkable Daphne Jablonsky. (Her smile widens, as Charlie makes his way to the door.)
DAPHNE: Charlie… (He turns.) Thank you. (He smiles, and exits.)
SALINGERS’ RESTAURANT. CHARLIE is sitting at the bar, alone. He pulls out a small black and white photo of himself as a boy, sitting in the same chair he sits in now. Charlie’s father stands in the background, behind the bar. Charlie looks to the place where his father stood and sighs, putting the photo on the counter. A moment later, he notices JACK BARRETT standing outside of the front door. He gets up and lets him in.
CHARLIE: (Extending his hand) Mr. Barrett.
MR. BARRETT: (Shaking hands) Charlie. (He takes off a heavy coat.)
CHARLIE: I guess summer’s over, huh?
MR. BARRETT: Yeah, it’s pretty nippy out there. (Both men laugh nervously and there is an awkward silence.) I assume you didn’t ask me to meet you to talk about the weather.
CHARLIE: No…no, I didn’t. (He sighs.) I, um…I got your offer, and…well, it’s pretty much in line with the estimates I got from my agent.
MR. BARRETT: That’s good, right?
CHARLIE: Yes, it is. (Looking down) But the thing is…I don’t think I can do it. (Looking up) I don’t think I can sell.
MR. BARRETT: Charlie, look. I know this isn’t easy for you. You’ve got a lot of history with this place, so I’m sure the idea of someone else coming in and—
CHARLIE: No, Mr. Barrett. That’s not it. I mean, yeah – it’s a little…weird for me to think about Salingers’ not being Salingers’ anymore. (Shaking his head) But believe me, why I’m not selling has nothing to do with you.
MR. BARRETT: Then why?
CHARLIE: I’ve got another business, and to be honest, it isn’t doing that great right now. So the way I see it…if things don’t pick up there pretty soon, Salingers’ might remain the family business.
MR. BARRETT: (Looking down) I see.
CHARLIE: I’m really sorry, Mr. Barrett.
MR. BARRETT: That’s okay, Charlie. I understand. (Putting his coat back on.) But if things pick up at your other place…
CHARLIE: …you’ll be the first person I call. I promise. (Mr. Barrett forces a smile, then walks out of the restaurant. Charlie locks the door behind him and walks back to the bar. He sits at bar again, and picks up the photo.) It’s still ours, Dad. (Looking around the restaurant.) It’s still Salingers’. (The camera pans back to show the empty restaurant as the picture fades to black.)
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