MARKET STREET, SAN FRANCISCO. JULIA and GRIFFIN are walking down the sidewalk, holding hands. They stop to look into a few store windows.
GRIFFIN: (Looking at his watch) Whoa…Charlie’s going to send a search party out for me if I’m not back soon.
JULIA: Oh, just a little longer. But speaking of Charlie…um…have you said anything to him about…you know…us?
GRIFFIN: Uh…no. Why, did you?
JULIA: (Quickly) No, no I haven’t. (After a pause) Do you think I should?
GRIFFIN: (Shrugging) I guess…if you want to.
JULIA: (Smiling and leaning in close to his neck) Well, what if I don’t want to? What if I want to keep you all to myself for a while?
GRIFFIN: (Grinning) Okay by me.
JULIA: (Hooking her arm through his) Good. Then let’s just keep it our little secret. At least for now… (Griffin leans over and they kiss.)
PO5 Credits
THE FACTORY. LUKE is in the office, sitting at his desk, on the telephone. The door opens and CHARLIE enters, making his way over to his desk.
LUKE: (Into the phone) Yes, we’re definitely interested. We should get together to discuss the details. When would you be available? Wow, that soon? No - no it’s not a problem. We’ll be there. (Charlie looks at Luke.) Alright…see you then. Looking forward to meeting with you. Bye. (Hangs up.)
CHARLIE: (Opening his briefcase) Who was that, and why are we “definitely interested”?
LUKE: (Letting out a big breath) Whew! That was our saving grace! If this deal goes through, this woman will single-handedly save this little factory’s hide.
CHARLIE: (Raises his eyebrows) Really? What kind of a deal are we talking about here?
LUKE: (Puts his elbows on the desk, leaning forward) Get this…this woman runs her own business, right? She owns a few buildings, and it just so happens she’s looking for some new furniture…for all of her offices…in all of the buildings. She saw our work in a hotel she stayed in, and she loved it. She said it’s just the style she’s been looking for.
CHARLIE: Wow.
LUKE: And it doesn’t seem like pricing will be an issue. She’s willing to pay more for the right look, and she’s already sold on the furniture.
CHARLIE: That’s great. How many buildings altogether?
LUKE: (Extending his hand, spreading his fingers for emphasis) Five.
CHARLIE: (Smiling) Whoa…how soon does she want this done?
LUKE: We’ll find out soon enough. We’re meeting with her and her associate at one of her buildings downtown at three.
CHARLIE: (Resumes looking at his papers) Sounds great. We just have to be sure we can handle the workload.
LUKE: (Relaxing back in his chair) Oh, this woman is an angel on earth!
CHARLIE: (Smirks) So who is this “angel”?
LUKE: (Looking at his notes) Uh…Kathleen…Isley. (Charlie’s jaw drops, as he quickly turns to look at Luke.)
CHARLIE: Did you say…Kathleen Isley?
LUKE: Mm-hm. Why? Have you heard of her?
CHARLIE: (Looks to the wall in front of him, then back to Luke, mouth still open) I used to date a Kathleen Isley…years ago. Is she tall, with long hair and really fine features?
LUKE: (Raises one eyebrow) I don’t know. It’s kind of hard to tell over the telephone.
CHARLIE: (Thoughts wandering) Kathleen…what are the odds…?
LUKE: Well, you’ll find out at in a couple of hours. (Gets up, and starts making his way out the office door.)
CHARLIE: (Grabs Luke’s arm) Wait! Luke, I can’t go.
LUKE: Why not?
CHARLIE: Because…the split wasn’t exactly amiable.
LUKE: So what? That’s all water under the bridge now, Charlie. She sounds like a real professional. I’m sure she won’t hold your personal history against you.
CHARLIE: (Shaking his head) No…we can’t afford to take any chances. Just…go to the meeting without me.
LUKE: But she’s expecting to meet the owner. I already told her you’d be there. What am I supposed to tell her?
CHARLIE: Make up any excuse…I don’t care. Just don’t let her know that I’m the owner. Don’t even mention my name, got it?
LUKE: Okay…okay, I’ve got it. (Charlie lets go of Luke’s arm.) Man, what did you do to this woman?
CHARLIE: (A little ashamed) She told me she was in love with me…so I dumped her. (Luke shakes his head, lets out a low whistle and exits.)
DAPHNE’S APARTMENT. DAPHNE is in the bedroom packing her suitcase, while KIRSTEN sits in a chair and watches.
DAPHNE: It still doesn’t feel real, you know? I mean, I never imagined the last time I’d see her was at that bus station. I guess once we get to the funeral service, maybe it’ll finally sink in.
KIRSTEN: I’m really sorry, Daphne. If there’s anything I can do…
DAPHNE: (With a small smile) Thanks. This whole thing was just like a total wake-up call…like God saying, “Hey, lady, don’t waste any more time out there…get a grip.” It’s made me totally realize how important family is…even if your family isn’t who you thought they would be. (She walks over to the dresser and takes more clothing out.)
KIRSTEN: (Nodding) You’re absolutely right. And I’m just glad Charlie’s finally realizing it, too. I can’t tell you how happy I am that he’s doing his best to sell the restaurant.
DAPHNE: (Looking up) So he changed his mind again?
KIRSTEN: Hmm?
DAPHNE: About the restaurant.
KIRSTEN: What do you mean?
DAPHNE: Well…Luke told me Charlie’s holding off selling until business picks up at the factory.
KIRSTEN: Are…are you sure? He didn’t tell me that.
DAPHNE: Oops. Sorry…I thought you knew.
KIRSTEN: (Shaking her head) No…no I didn’t. But I’m glad you told me. Because who knows when Charlie was planning to. (Kirsten crosses her arms and leans back in the chair as Daphne continues folding clothes.)
BAILEY'S DORM ROOM. BAILEY is hunched over his desk, writing very slowly on a pad. Books and papers are scattered everywhere, almost haphazardly. He stops writing and flips through one pile of papers, searching for something. He begins searches another pile on the floor as Cole walks in, grabs a beer from the fridge, and notices the mess Bailey's planted himself in the middle of.
COLE: What, did your bookbag explode?
BAILEY: It’s this stupid paper I gotta do. You know how it is when I have to write.
COLE: Yeah, looks...organized.
BAILEY: Habit I picked up from an old girlfriend. What can I say, it's weird but it works, alright?
COLE: So is this it? You're in for the night?
BAILEY: Yeah, at least until I write ten pages on this "Be A Wolf" thing.
COLE: What are you taking, some animal rights class?
BAILEY: English Lit, can you believe it? I gotta take it to graduate and...(holds up book to Cole)...this is like, required reading. My paper's due tomorrow. (Cole reads the cover of the book: Beowulf.) It's written in English, right? But I’ve got like, what, eight different translations here. What's up with that?
COLE: It's "Bay-A-Wolf", man. I had to take that same class last term. Everyone goes through it.
BAILEY: So then you know. You— (He pauses, getting an idea.) Hey, you didn’t happen to keep any... (Cole is rummaging through a drawer in his desk.)
COLE: Way ahead of you, dude. (He pulls out a handful of papers and shuffles through them like a poker player.) Here we go. The professor had some really cool stuff to say about it on the back page. (He hands it to Bailey, who quickly scans it over, his eyes growing wide.)
BAILEY: This is fantastic, it's— Wow. This "wolf" guy is Scandinavian?
COLE: Who knows. Look, that's an A minus paper you got there.
BAILEY: Yeah, but I think you got robbed. These sound like really great points you're making here. If they're true, that's even better, but look at all the quotes...(flips pages)...and references!
COLE: Yeah, man. I'll even give you the roommate discount. Okay, there's really no such thing, but what the hell? You've been pretty cool. Twenty bucks and we'll call it even. (Bailey stops cold.)
BAILEY: Wait...you want money for this?
COLE: Hey, I paid fifty on the website I got it from last year, so this is like, what, more than half off? You're a business major. Savings like that should be right up your alley.
BAILEY: Look, Cole, ah...I appreciate you helping me and all that, but…an Internet paper? I don’t know… (Cole finishes his beer and slams it on his desk.)
COLE: What’s the big deal, man? No one’ll know except us. (Bailey looks at the paper, thinking.)
THE FACTORY. CHARLIE is out on the floor, standing beside one of his employees working on the line. The machines are running, and Charlie is demonstrating how to manipulate the wood to create a certain design, shouting above the noise to one of the workers. An announcement comes over the loudspeaker telling Charlie that he has a phone call. Charlie pats his employee on the shoulder, and proceeds to the office. He enters and picks up the phone.
CHARLIE: Hello?
VOICE ON PHONE: Hey, Charlie. It’s me, Luke.
CHARLIE: Hey, man. How’s the meeting going?
LUKE: Great! She’s all ready to sign the papers. Her attorney’s looking them over now. I have to meet her back in her office in a few minutes.
CHARLIE: Did she try to renegotiate the prices?
LUKE: No…actually, she thought they were pretty fair. Boy, we really hit the jackpot on this one, I tell you. This account is exactly what we needed to keep the factory going.
CHARLIE: I can’t believe it was that easy to cut a deal. Good job, man!
LUKE: Thanks. Um…listen, Charlie. There is one thing…she wants to meet the man whose furniture she considers to be “works of art.” She bought the excuse I gave her this time, but she wants to see you at our next meeting.
CHARLIE: (Raising his eyebrows) No. That can’t happen. Just tell her I’m out of the country or something. You didn’t mention my name, did you?
LUKE: Relax, man. I told her you were an absentee owner, and that you never come to sales meetings…so I’m hoping that she’ll stop asking for a while.
CHARLIE: (Relieved) Thank you. You know, I don’t know what I’m so worried about. She probably doesn’t even remember me…
LUKE: Uh…I think she does.
CHARLIE: I thought you said you didn’t mention my name...?
LUKE: I didn’t. She was describing a desk of ours she saw at the hotel. She went on and on about how the richness and grain of the cherry wood brought out the depth of its character.
CHARLIE: (Smiles) Really?
LUKE: I told her how impressed I was…that most people don’t have that kind of insight about furniture. (Pauses briefly) Then she told me she knew a guy who had a passion for woodworking and it must have rubbed off on her. (Charlie’s smile fades.) So I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet she hasn’t forgotten about you.
CHARLIE: Well, she bought the “absentee owner” thing. If she asks again, just make up another excuse.
LUKE: I don’t know, Charlie…
CHARLIE: Look, just get her to sign the papers…we’ll have to figure something out later.
LOS ANGELES. ALBERT is driving with SARAH, who sits in the passenger seat. Albert leans his elbow out the window and talks on a cellular phone. Sarah looks out the window at the passing buildings, such as the Beverly Hills Hotel.
ALBERT: (On the phone) Yeah, we know the routine. (After a pause, he laughs.) Don’t worry about Sarah; she’s a professional. (He winks at Sarah, who smiles nervously.) Yes, we’ll be there nine a.m. sharp. (Albert notices Sarah examining her face in a compact mirror as her foot nervously taps on the floor of the car.) Okay, we’ll see you then. (Albert hangs up the phone and looks to Sarah.) Sarah, calm down. You don’t want to make yourself nervous.
SARAH: Too late. I’m already nervous. Maybe it was the plane ride, or…I don’t know.
ALBERT: Sarah—
SARAH: I feel like I’ve got a million butterflies in my stomach.
ALBERT: Sarah, listen - a lot of girls feel just like you at first. But once you get through this shoot, you’ll see there’s nothing to be afraid of. Just relax.
SARAH: (Taking a deep breath) Relax. (Her foot continues to tap.) I can’t relax! Albert, is it normal to be this nervous?
ALBERT: Perfectly normal…as long as it goes away when the camera starts clicking. (Sarah sighs, taking in another deep breath.) Now, be sure to get some rest tonight. You’ve got a long day tomorrow. (Sarah looks out the window as they pull up to the valet parking area of the hotel.)
CHARLIE’S HOUSE. KIRSTEN is sitting up in bed, reading. CHARLIE enters, and leans in to kiss her. She turns her head and offers him her cheek.
CHARLIE: (Smiling) Whoops, sorry…I still have coffee breath. I’ll take care of that right now. (He heads toward the bathroom, and Kirsten puts her book down.)
KIRSTEN: So, the restaurant was pretty busy tonight, huh?
CHARLIE: (Brushing his teeth) Mmm-hmm.
KIRSTEN: Guess you’d better be getting that manager you talked about, since you’re not selling it anymore. (Charlie looks out of the bathroom, toothpaste all around his mouth. He stops brushing for a moment, and shakes his head.) Yep, I know all about it, Charlie. Why didn’t you tell me? (Charlie spits out the toothpaste and wipes his mouth.)
CHARLIE: Because I just decided, that’s why.
KIRSTEN: When? Today? Yesterday? Or maybe it was the day before.
CHARLIE: (Walking back into the bedroom) Look, Kirsten, I was going to tell you. I just didn’t have a chance yet.
KIRSTEN: Exactly. You never have time, Charlie.
CHARLIE: (Letting out a deep breath) What’s your point?
KIRSTEN: My point is, things aren’t changing and it doesn’t look like you’re going to have time for your family anytime soon. (Her voice getting higher) And I don’t know how much more I can take.
CHARLIE: Yeah? Well I don’t know how much more I can take either, Kirsten. Because with you complaining all the time, and giving me grief every five seconds, it sure doesn’t make me want to be around you. (Kirsten glares at Charlie as he storms out of the room.)
GRIFFIN’S APARTMENT. JULIA is standing outside the apartment. She holds her hand up, hesitates a moment, then takes a deep breath and knocks several times on the door. After a moment, MICHELLE opens the door halfway.
MICHELLE: Sorry…Griffin isn’t home right now.
JULIA: I know. That’s why I’m here. Um…can I come in for a sec?
MICHELLE: Look, Jul, I know what you’re here for…and I just want you to know that I’m not mad at you, okay? Or Griffin.
JULIA: (Smiling) I’m really glad to hear that. I was worried.
MICHELLE: (Laughing) God, I wish you guys would give me a little credit. I mean, you act like you’re afraid you’re going to find me swinging from the shower rod or something.
JULIA: Of course we don’t think that, Michelle. It’s just…we want to make you’re all right, that’s all.
MICHELLE: You know something? I’d be all right if everyone would just stop asking me if I’m alright! (She shuts the door, leaving Julia standing outside.)
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO. Bright lights shine on a pure white back drop. A prop man is adjusting the position of an antique pedestal sink that will be used in the shoot. ALBERT stands next to the photographer, who is testing the intensity of the flash on his camera. SARAH bashfully comes out of a dressing room wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her torso. A makeup woman makes sure Sarah’s hair is wet and pulled behind her shoulders as she adds finishing touches to Sarah’s face. Albert gives Sarah the thumbs up as the photographer instructs her to get into position.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Okay, you’re a girl who just got out of the shower! You have just used Neutrogena pore refining cream and wow! Your face looks so smooth and gentle and…where did your pores go? (He begins to take pictures. We see a close up of Sarah’s face. Her smile looks forced and very unnatural. Her body tenses up as the photographer stops taking pictures.) Look, Sarah…how about this? I want you to imagine that your dad just bought you the cutest little puppy, okay? (The photographer begins snapping some shots as Sarah gives a slight smile, but her smile slowly fades. The photographer stops.)
SARAH: I’m sorry, its just…a puppy? That might have worked when I was twelve, but-- (Sarah shakes her head, and the photographer sighs.)
PHOTOGRAPHER: Fine, then picture the love of your life walking in through the door…and give me that smile! (Sarah thinks for a moment, then her smile fades completely. The photographer rubs his face in frustration.)
ALBERT: (To the photographer) I’m sorry. Can we have five minutes? (The photographer throws his hands up in frustration.)
THE LIBRARY at the University of Pennsylvania. BAILEY is sitting at a computer terminal and MARIA sits next to him. They are scrolling through a long list of online essays.
BAILEY: Look at this…“Kingship and Downfall in Beowulf”…“The Nature of Man in Beowulf”…“The Role of Gender in Beowulf.” There must be like thirty different papers for sale.
MARIA: So…buy one of them.
BAILEY: I can’t, Maria. It just…it doesn’t feel right…buying a paper.
MARIA: I don’t get it. You were willing to use Cole’s paper when you thought Cole wrote it, right?
BAILEY: Right.
MARIA: So what’s the difference? Cheating’s cheating.
BAILEY: Maybe so, but…I don’t know. It’s kinda like…if I cheated on a girlfriend with some girl I knew, that would be bad, yes. But if I cheated by paying some hooker, wouldn’t that be worse?
MARIA: Wow.
BAILEY: You see what I mean?
MARIA: Actually, I’m just shocked at how bad that metaphor was…but I think I see your point.
BAILEY: Okay then.
MARIA: So, what now?
BAILEY: (Turning to face Maria) Now is where you come in, “Miss English Major.”
(Smiling) Got any plans for the night? (Maria tilts her head suspiciously.)
DRESSING ROOM. SARAH sits on a chair in front of a makeup mirror. She holds her face in her hands with a depressed look. ALBERT sits next to her. SARAH: Albert, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.
ALBERT: Don’t apologize. And for God’s sake, stop trying so hard. (He pauses.) Do you remember when I first met you? You were singing in that coffee shop with your friend, just lighting up the stage. Your smile…your regular smile is exactly what Neutrogena is looking for. So no matter what the photographer tells you to think about, just pretend you’re in that coffee shop. Pretend you’re taking pictures with your family. Give him that smile. (Sarah nods and opens the door. She walks over to the prop sink and takes her place in the shoot.)
PHOTOGRAPHER: You ready? (Sarah nods.) Okay, now lean on the sink and cup your face. (Sarah does so and begins to smile much more naturally.) Good, good. Now pretend it’s your birthday party and the Backstreet Boys have just arrived with your cake! (Sarah laughs at this and smiles. She continues to giggle as the photographer takes pictures. She perks up and begins to move much more freely. The photographer becomes more engaged.) That’s it! That’s the smile I’m after! (Albert stands in the dark and gives Sarah another thumbs up.)
SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, ABILENE,TEXAS. DAPHNE, LUKE, DIANA and MATTHEW are sitting in the front row of the church. Daphne is seated next to LES, her mother’s boyfriend, and Luke, who has his arm around her. A priest is standing at the front of the room, finishing the eulogy.
PRIEST: And so Doreen Jablonsky will live on forever, in our memories and in our hearts. May you find comfort in knowing that she is at rest, and at peace with the Almighty Father. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (There is a murmuring throughout the church as the attendees say “Amen.”)
DAPHNE: (Her head bowed) Amen. (Luke tightens his arm around Daphne as she quietly cries. The service concludes and everyone stands up to exit. Les turns to Daphne and she reaches out to hold his hand. They are both crying.)
LES: (Pulling back after a moment) Your mother was a good woman, Daphne. (He wipes his eyes.) I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. (He takes a deep breath and gives a small smile.) And…even though I know she didn’t tell you…she loved you very much. (Daphne bursts into new tears, and tries to smile through them. She hugs Les tightly, and closes her eyes as she leans over his shoulder.)
TULLY’S COFFEE HOUSE. JULIA is sitting at an outdoor table when she sees KYLE MORGAN approaching. She smiles, then watches as a small group of teenage girls surround Kyle. He signs a few autographs before sitting down with Julia.
JULIA: Hey.
KYLE: Hey.
JULIA: Do you get that everywhere you go?
KYLE: The fans? (Julia nods.) It depends. People either treat me like I’m God or the Devil.
JULIA: Yeah? (Smiling) So which are you?
KYLE: Which do you think I am?
JULIA: I don’t know…both probably. I mean, you are a man.
KYLE: (Smiling) I’m glad you noticed. (Julia blushes slightly.)
JULIA: I thought you asked me to meet you to talk about my article.
KYLE: Among other things.
JULIA: Well, I sent a draft to my editor last week. If all goes well, it should be published in the next edition. I think you’ll be happy with it.
KYLE: Does that mean you don’t think I’m the Devil?
JULIA: (Smiling) Maybe…but you don’t see me asking for an autograph, either.
KYLE: Ouch. (They both laugh, then smile at one another.) So, Julia, are…are you seeing anyone? (Julia raises her eyebrows.) Because if you’re not, I thought maybe, you know…
JULIA: Oh, Kyle. That’s sweet. It really is, but…I am seeing someone.
KYLE: (Looking down, smiling) I knew it.
JULIA: Yeah. Actually, it’s kind of new…and it’s kind of not new, too. But it’s kind of great. (Kyle looks up, and Julia smiles sympathetically.) I’m sorry.
KYLE: That’s all right. I’ve always had a knack for just missing the boat. (They both smile.)
AN OFFICE BULIDING IN LOS ANGELES. Kyle’s manager, JIM COLEMAN, is typing on his computer as the phone rings. He pushes a button, activating the speaker-phone.
JIM: This is Jim.
KYLE: Jim, it’s Kyle. Hey, I just met with Julia Salinger.
JIM: How’d it go?
KYLE: Great. That article…it’s going to be favorable.
JIM: (Sitting up) You’re sure?
KYLE: Positive. We’re all set.
JIM: Nice job, Kyle. I told you she’d be putty in your hands.
KYLE: Yeah, well…just wanted to let you know you got what you wanted.
JIM: I always do. (Jim hangs up and calls his secretary on the speaker phone.)
WOMAN’S VOICE: Yes, Mr. Coleman?
JIM: Lisa, that check you’ve been holding…the one to Julia Salinger…
WOMAN’S VOICE: Uh-huh.
JIM: Go ahead and send it out.
WOMAN’S VOICE: Yes, sir. (Jim leans back in his chair with a satisfied look.)
THE LIBRARY at the University of Pennsylvania. BAILEY is sitting at a table that is covered with opened books. He is reading through the Cliff’s Notes of Beowulf as MARIA approaches, carrying two coffees.
MARIA: How are you doing?
BAILEY: Just finishing up. (Maria puts a styrofoam cup in front of Bailey.) Oh, thanks. (He takes a sip from the cup.) And thanks for sticking with me, Maria. It really helps.
MARIA: Hey, I wouldn’t leave you in a time of need. (Bailey smiles.) Okay, now you know the story, so what do you think the significance is?
BAILEY: (Shaking his head) I haven’t a clue.
MARIA: Well, c’mon…try talking it out.
BAILEY: Okay. There’s this…this monster…and it keeps eating these Warriors, right? So this Beowulf guy comes in and drives the monster away, but only temporarily. Then when he’s an old man, he fights this Dragon for his treasures, but dies in the process.
MARIA: Okay, so what does that say to you?
BAILEY: Don’t fight Dragons for their treasures?
MARIA: (Smiling) C’mon, I’m serious.
BAILEY: I don’t know, Maria. I guess…I guess it’s like the book said: (reading) “It’s the courage to strive – not success – which ultimately ennobles the true hero.” So as long as you don’t give up, you’re okay.
MARIA: Kind of like you not giving up on writing your own paper, huh? (Bailey thinks about this, then smiles.) So now you know what to write about.
DAPHNE’S MOTHER’S HOUSE. DAPHNE is in the guest bedroom with LUKE. They’re packing their bags for the return trip. Daphne is red-eyed and looks extremely tired.
DAPHNE: I just can’t get it out of my mind that my kids will never know their Grandmother. I mean, for God’s sake, Luke, I don’t even have a picture of my mother to show them. (She shakes her head as she folds clothes and sets them into the suitcase.) LUKE: Honey, stop being so hard on yourself. The kids can still get to know your mother…in a sense. They can know everything you know about her — all you have to do is tell them.
DAPHNE: I’ve tried to do that, but…it’s not easy for me. What kind of memories am I supposed to share with them? I don’t know where to start or what to say, you know? (Luke sighs, and he notices LES walking by the bedroom toward the living room.)
LUKE: (To Daphne) Excuse me just a second. I’ll be right back. (He walks down the hall after Les.) Les? (Les turns around.)
LES: Oh, hello, Luke.
LUKE: Do you have a minute? There’s a favor I need to ask you… (Les nods his head and the two talk as scene fades.)
JULIA’S APARTMENT. JULIA is sitting on her couch, typing on her laptop when the phone rings. She grabs the cordless phone from the end-table next to her.
JULIA: Hello? (She listens.) Hey, Meredith. Why are you whispering? (The camera cuts to the office of NOW, where Meredith is cupping her hand over the receiver. There are a group of women in the background, including Julia’s boss, Paula.)
MEREDITH: (Whispering) Because Paula is right behind me.
JULIA: Is everything alright?
MEREDITH: I’m not sure. She just told me to find out how soon you can be in DC…and she didn’t sound happy.
JULIA: What? Is that all she said?
MEREDITH: That’s it. (Paula approaches Meredith.) Julia, hold on. (She puts the receiver down as Paula hands her a packet of papers.)
PAULA: Meredith, would you mind overnighting these to Senator Boxer?
MEREDITH: No problem. (Paula smiles, as does Meredith. When Paula reaches a safe distance, Meredith again picks up the receiver.) Julia?
JULIA: I’m here.
MEREDITH: So what do I tell her?
JULIA: (Sighing) Tell her I’ll be there tomorrow. (Julia hangs up the phone and thinks.)
CLAUDIA’S DORM ROOM. CLAUDIA, TINA, VALERIE and TESS are sitting on the couch, watching television.
CLAUDIA: (Sighing) Isn’t there anything else on?
TINA: What’s wrong with this?
CLAUDIA: I guess I’m just sick of all these reality shows.
TESS: Yeah, I’m kind of tired of them myself.
CLAUDIA: And what’s with all the lawyer and cop shows? Can’t anyone make a decent family drama anymore? (HEATHER enters the dorm, holding a flyer. She stands in front of the television.)
HEATHER: Guys, check this out. (She hands the flyer to Valerie.)
TESS: What is it?
HEATHER: It’s a flyer for the “Ball & Chain Ball.”
CLAUDIA: (In a low voice) The what?
HEATHER: It’s a Halloween party. Sounds pretty cool.
VALERIE: (Still looking at the flyer) Fire and Ice Club? I’ve never heard of it.
CLAUDIA: I thought we were going to Juilliard’s Halloween party, like last year.
TINA: That was such a drag, though.
HEATHER: Exactly! And wouldn’t it be nice to see a different crowd of guys, too?
VALERIE: I could go for that.
TINA: Me, too.
CLAUDIA: I don’t know.
TINA: C’mon, Claudia. Can’t you skip “bobbing for apples” and pumpkin carving for one Halloween?
CLAUDIA: Tess?
TESS: (Shrugging) Could be fun.
CLAUDIA: (Resignedly) I guess I’m outnumbered.
HEATHER: Cool! And I know a great costume shop… (Claudia sighs.)
BAILEY’S DORM ROOM. BAILEY is typing frantically on his laptop computer as COLE enters the room.
COLE: Hey, Sali.
BAILEY: (Still typing) Hey.
COLE: (Taking off his jacket) Okay, you’ve got a pretty good poker face, but I know your game. You’re just trying to squeeze me so I’ll lower my price. (Bailey smiles, shaking his head.) But I ain’t budgin’, man. Twenty bucks, take it or leave it. (Bailey emphatically presses a key on his computer, then looks Cole in the eye.)
BAILEY: Leave it. (He stands next to the printer.)
COLE: Man, you’re a hardass. Alright, fine. Ten bucks…
BAILEY: I don’t need it, man. Take a look. (Bailey hands Cole the first printed page.) You see…I stuck with it, and now I’m done. Just takes a little discipline. (Bailey takes the page back from Cole and staples it to the rest of the printed pages.) Now I just gotta drop it off in Professor Keesey’s mailbox and I’m golden. (Bailey begins putting on his jacket.)
COLE: I’m impressed, Salinger. (Sarcastically) I hope the C minus won’t drag down your GPA too much. (Bailey smiles as he walks out the door.)
ABRACADABRA MAGIC & COSTUMES, NEW YORK. CLAUDIA and her roommates are looking through racks of costumes in the busy store. VALERIE holds a very short, red leotard up to herself.
VALERIE: Hey, guys…what do you think of this? It’s called “Miss Chevious.”
HEATHER: Interesting. But if you’re going for the slutty look, why don’t you save a few bucks and just grab something from Tina’s closet? (The girls laugh.)
TINA: (To Heather) Very funny. Why don’t you go as a hippie? You wouldn’t even have to change.
VALERIE: (Smiling) Alright, you two. In your corners.
TESS: Hey, what about this? (Tess points to costumes of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Wicked Witch from “The Wizard of Oz.”) It’ll be perfect ‘cause there’s five of us. (Tina grabs the Dorothy costume and holds it up to Claudia.)
TINA: Talk about perfect casting. Fits her personality to a “t.”
HEATHER: (To Tina) Yeah, kinda like you and the Wicked Witch. (Tina glares at Heather as the others laugh.)
NOW HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C. JULIA is in her boss, PAULA’s, office. She is sitting in a chair across from Paula, who looks very unhappy.
PAULA: (Reading from a stack of papers) “If Kyle Morgan is guilty of anything, it’s being the latest victim of a media that enjoys pulling pillars out from under personalities that they themselves have erected.” (Tossing the stack of papers toward Julia) Is this a joke, Julia? We’re not Rolling Stone, you know.
JULIA: It’s all true, Paula. He’s nothing like the image the media portrays.
PAULA: Please! We’re talking about Kyle Morgan here, not Barry Manilow.
JULIA: Exactly! And Kyle Morgan came across as a very intelligent, articulent man.
PAULA: Yeah, well, my boss doesn’t think we seem very intelligent right now. (Paula drops her head into her hands in frustration.)
JULIA: Paula, what do you want me to do? Lie so that he fits into the neat little “female-bashing” image we had of him? (Paula looks up.) I’m sorry, but I won’t do that. (Paula sighs.)
PAULA: I’m sorry to hear you say that, Julia. I was hoping if I gave you a chance you’d tell me the truth, but… (She shakes her head.)
JULIA: Paula, what are you talking about? (Paula opens her drawer and pulls out an envelope, handing it to Julia. It is a check from Kyle Morgan’s manager.)
PAULA: Next time you take a bribe, you might want to make sure the check isn’t sent to your corporate office. (Julia looks shocked as she studies the envelope.)
DAPHNE AND LUKE’S APARTMENT. DAPHNE is folding clothes in her bedroom when LUKE walks in, standing in the doorway.
LUKE: Hon, can you come over here for a minute? Diana wants to talk to you in her room.
DAPHNE: Okay. I’m almost done here. (Luke walks over and takes the shirt she was folding out of her hands.)
LUKE: I’ll take over. You go ahead. (Daphne gives Luke a confused look, and Luke nods his head toward Diana’s room. Still confused, Daphne walks down the hall and enters Diana’s room, where she sees Diana sitting on her bed.)
DAPHNE: Hi, Pumpkin. Luke says you want to talk to me.
DIANA: Uh-huh. Who’s the lady?
DAPHNE: What lady?
DIANA: That one. (Diana points to a framed picture of Daphne’s mother on her dresser. Daphne’s eyes open widely as she approaches the picture.)
DAPHNE: Oh my God.
DIANA: Who is she, Mommy? Luke said only you could tell me. (Daphne turns around to see Luke standing in the doorway, smiling. Her eyes begin to tear up, and she picks up Diana and sits her on her lap.)
DAPHNE: Well, honey, you know how I’m your Mommy? (Diana nods.) Well, that’s Mommy’s Mommy…and your Grandmother.
DIANA: My…Grandmother?
DAPHNE: Uh-huh. You see, when Mommy was a little girl, your Grandma used to sit me on her lap, just like this, and we’d read stories or play games. And sometimes… (The camera begins to pull back as the conversation becomes fainter. Daphne and Diana continue talking as the picture slowly fades to black.)
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