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feliciakwDisappearances, Acts I, II, & III
Act IV
Blue wash up on:
Interior, Daisy’s room, Day:
Daisy is lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling.
VOJ: When Daisy was a kid, she was the toughest of all to keep an eye on, but we had a blast. Let’s just say that she demanded my undivided attention.
Daisy: Jake, I wish you were here, as usual. You could stop dad from acting like such a tyrant.
VOJ: Doubt it. But I wish I was there, too, Dais.
Ben knocks on the door and stands in the doorway.
Ben: It’s four o’clock.
Daisy: So?
Ben: You’re still in your pajamas.
Daisy: (as she rolls over away from him) Yeah.
Ben: This thing starts in a couple hours, and I know it’d mean a lot to your mother if you’d come downstairs and join the family.
Daisy: (sullen and sulky) I would like to, but I’m grounded.
Ben: Daisy, give me a break.
Daisy sits up in bed to confront him.
Daisy: You’re treating me like a total child.
Ben: You’re acting like one.
Daisy: You’re grounding me for wanting to have a life.
Ben: You’re talking to a video camera. (He moves into the room) You used to talk to me.
Daisy: Dad, that was years ago.
Ben: No, that was a year ago. (Daisy stares at him.) About since Jake.
Daisy: You had a lot to deal with. After Jake. I just had stupid, regular problems.
Ben: Are you, uh, sayin’ you were protecting me?
Daisy: (barely audible) I guess.
Ben’s expression is a mixture—surprised, touched, maybe a little regretful. He sits on the bed to talk to her.
Ben: Sugar, you can tell me anything that’s goin’ on, no matter what it is.
Daisy: And if you don’t like it, you’ll ground me?
Ben: Dais, all I’m sayin’ is that you don’t have to pack it all in at once. While you’re young.
Daisy: Fine. I don’t have to do it all now. But I have to grow up sometime. Maybe it’s not Jake. Maybe it’s just what happens. Can’t be Daddy’s girl forever, right?
A long pause as they each consider the situation. Ben rises and heads toward the door.
Ben: Come on downstairs. I know it would mean a lot. To all of us.
He leaves her alone.
Cut to:
Interior, Em’s room, Day:
Em is dressed for the party and she’s now putting on her jewelry. Gid sits on the bed watching.
Em: I know that money doesn’t cover everything, but at least it’s a start.
Gideon: Oh, it’s more than a start. It just feels wrong taking it.
Em: I practically forced it on you. Now I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s done.
Gideon: (standing and coming up to Em closely) Well, I know what else we can talk about.
Em: (turning toward him with a smile) Yeah?
Gideon: How good looking I am? I mean, look at me in my fancy, fancy digs (??? Threads, it should be, yes?)
Em: Smashing.
Gideon: It’s not easy being this good looking. I need all the help I can get to keep the babes away tonight.
Em: It might not be as hard as you think. Most of them are in their golden years.
Gideon: Aw, you’d be surprised. See, those’ll be the most aggressive.
Em laughs, and they head out of the room to the hallway just outside her room. He stops her and turns her toward him.
Gideon: You’re breathtaking, you know that?
Em: Shut up.
Gideon: No, I mean it.
He leans in, and they kiss lingeringly. At that point, Ben comes by, grumpy in his tux.
Ben: Can’t somebody show some restraint in this house?
Em: Sorry, Dad. Hey, you look very nice.
Ben: (indicating the bow tie) Took twenty minutes to tie this damn tie. (He heads downstairs.)
Cut to:
Foot of stairs/Front entry Hall:
Jonathan is ready to waylay Ben and start in on his assignment for the evening, but Ben is a man on a mission . . .
Jonathan: Oh, Ben, great!—
Ben: Let me get a drink. Then I’m gonna find my wife, and I’ll let you know when I’m ready for my orders.
Jonathan: (pulling up short, since he can’t really do anything else) Sure.
Jon exits the hall toward the parlor(?) past Max, who is setting things up next to the front door (loading his camera, maybe?).
Max’s attention is drawn to the front door as it opens and a stream of very pretty girls in tight white shirts and black pants enter. Em and Gid have come downstairs just in time to see the parade, and Em is aghast.
Em: (to Gid) Oh my God. Those waitresses are strippers from Marlowe’s. Stack hired strippers.
One tall blonde waves at Em and says, “Hi,” on her way past.
Em, rolling her eyes, follow them to the kitchen. Gid follows.
Jon (who has returned to the scene) and Max are thoughtful. (I wish you could see Jensen’s expression, cheeks puffed out, brows raised slightly, as he considers this turn of events.) Max and Jon stroll down the hall toward the kitchen, where the girls went. Jon’s arms are crossed in a contemplative stance, and Max has one hand in a pocket, the other raised mid-chest level, again, in a considering stance.
Jon: Wait staff.
Max: It’s nice.
Cut to:
Interior, Front hall, Evening:
As seen through a camera’s viewfinder. Guests are entering, being greeted by Charlotte and Ben while Max unobtrusively snaps pictures. (The shots switch back and forth between Max taking pictures and what Max sees through the viewfinder.) Max is surprised, and brought up a bit short, when he sees Maggie and Whit enter the foyer. The Morgans greet them warmly, Ben even giving Maggie a kiss on the cheek.
Maggie (and Whit) stop to exchange greetings with Max.
Max: I didn’t know you were coming.
Whit: Uh, Maggie convinced me that this was the place to be.
Maggie: He bought the tickets to support your mom’s campaign.
Max: Appreciate that.
Whit spies someone across the room.
Whit: (leaning toward Maggie as he indicates someone across the room) Uh, that is Amy Leoni, the biggest art buyer in northern California. We really must go and say hello.
Maggie: (nodding agreement with Whit as she speaks to Max) I’ll come find you later.
Max: Yeah. (He watches them as the make their way further into the house.)
Cut to:
Catering staging area:
Stack is handing one of his waitresses a tray of hors d’oeuvres before sending her out onto the floor.
Stack: (pointing to her blouse) Could you just button up one more button on that? (She struggles to button a button) Yeah. That’s great. Thanks. And, you know, maybe one more. (She does.) Yeah, just . . . great. Thank you. (As she takes the tray and leaves, he points to the dip) And that’s black sesame sauce if anyone cares.
Cut to:
The flash of a camera. Max takes one last picture with this roll of film (at least, I assume that’s the motivation for the blocking in the scene), and moves toward the end table where his camera bag rests. Whit approaches Max as he’s tending to his camera.
Whit: How’s it going?
Max: (cordial, but non-committal) Good.
Whit: (taking a drink from his glass) Maggie says you’re looking for a job.
Max: (splitting his attention between his camera and Whit) Yeah.
Whit: (sincerely) You should give me a call next week. I’ll give you some contacts.
Max: Great. I’ll do that.
Whit: I’m not a bad guy, you know, Max.
Max: I never said you were.
Whit: We’ve got quite a lot in common, actually.
Max: I doubt that.
Through the next speech, Max looks thoughtful. He listens to Whit, but watches him, too. He’s obviously a little uncomfortable with what he’s hearing, but he’s not shrinking away or backing down.
Whit: (sit-leaning on the end table) We both care what happens to Maggie. I’ve been looking out for her this past year, since you left. I’m not judging you, Max. Nobody should until they’ve been in your shoes. She’s been through it, though, and, uh, I’m sick of seeing her sad. She needs to move on. You know that. (Rising) She cares what you think, Max. So I hope you’re okay with this.
Max: Okay with what?
Whit: Maggie and me. It’s the first time she’s agreed to come out with me, but, um, I may be being presumptuous, but I’m hoping.
Max: (nods non-committal understanding) I’ve got to get back to work. (He takes his camera, camera strap over his shoulder, and camera bag and heads to the other room)
Cut to:
CU of Gid on the phone. In the background, we can see that Max sees Gid on the phone, but whether or not he hears the exchange is unclear. (I don’t think he does.)
Gideon: I’ll get it to you. Look! I told you I’m working on it.
Cut to:
Front hall:
Daisy makes an appearance in a very nice dress, all smiles, doing her level high school best to flirt with Jon.
Daisy: Hi!
Jonathan: Hey! I’m so glad you could make it.
Daisy: (beaming) Really.
Jonathan: Sure. Thought you were going to spend the whole evening in your pj’s.
Daisy: (laughing, but trying to cover) Well, who said I was in my pajamas?
Jonathan: Oh, I’m sorry. Should I not have said that? Your father just mentioned that you were in your pj’s, not coming out of bed.
Daisy: My dad said that. Wow. This house is really kind of repressive. You notice that?
Jonathan: Not—not really.
Cut to:
CU of Max’s hands changing a roll of film. (I didn’t notice the ring, so it must be gone.) Camera pulls up to show that he’s sitting on a couch at the coffee table. Maggie comes up to him and has a seat next to him.
Maggie: There you are.
Max: Hey.
Maggie: (with a smile) You look nice in a tux. (Wardrobe note: Max’s attire is not what I consider the uber-formal tux. No cummerbund or vest, and a regular tie. But definitely a tux jacket.)
Max: Thanks.
Maggie: It’s alright that I brought Ganier, right?
Max: (nodding awkwardly, but he looks at her when he says the important stuff) Yeah. Yeah. In fact, I wanted to say that I think it’s good that you’re seeing someone. Good for both of us. He seems like a decent guy.
Maggie looks surprised at this, and maybe a little disappointed.
Maggie: Oh. Yeah. It is, probably. Good for both of us.
They sit in awkward silence for a moment.
Maggie: I have to . . . could you excuse me a minute?
She beats a hasty retreat.
Max: Yeah. (He doesn’t watch her leave, just stays where he is looking uncertain.)
Cut to:
A front hall doorway between rooms, moments later:
Em sees Max snag a class of champagne from a passing waitress. He downs a gulp.
Em: Drinking on the job?
Max: Hm.
Em: You okay, Max?
Max: Sure. What about you? What’s goin’ on with that boyfriend of yours?
Em: Nothing. (She takes the glass and downs a swallow.)
Max: (taking the glass back from Em) Looks like we’re both doin’ great. (He takes another swallow.)
Gotta love siblings commiserating over dating woes as they share a glass of bubbly.
Cut to:
Front door:
A black man, maybe mid-twenties, wearing short-ish dreads, enters the house. Em sees this and makes a beeline for the entryway.
Jonathan: (to the newcomer, very “bouncer-like”) I’m sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jonathan Gray.
Em rushes up.
Em: I’ve got it, Jonathan. Derrick’s a friend of mine. Just dropping something off.
Jonathan: (not 100% convinced) No problem. (He moves away.)
Em: (to Derrick) What do you think you’re doing here?
Derrick: You know why I’m here.
Max: (who has come up beside his sister) I don’t. Who are you?
Em: (to Max) Just give us a minute, okay? (To Derrick, pointing to a grouping of men in the dining area) You see that guy over there? The big one? That’s my dad. He’s a cop. And the three guys around him? Cops.
Derrick: Look, I just need to talk to your boyfriend, then I’ll go.
Max: (ready to play bouncer his own self) Why don’t we go outside?
Em: Max . . .
Max: No, let’s go. (He moves to lead the three of them outside.)
Cut to:
Exterior, what looks like the patio, night:
Max: (turning on Derrick) Hey, man, I don’t know who you are, but obviously my sister doesn’t want you here, so maybe you should take off.
Derrick: Man, you don’t even know what’s goin’ on here, do you. Her boyfriend’s using your little sister as a shield, man.
Em’s eyes are wide and she shakes her head in denial.
Derrick: Doesn’t exactly cover his tracks very well, made it pretty easy for me to find you.
Em: He’s not using me as a shield, okay? I brought him here. (She’s explaining this to Max as much as to Derrick. Max raises an eyebrow and dang! but that’s a Dean expression he’s got goin’.)
Derrick: He got money from you, didn’t he.
Em looks surprised that Derrick would know this. Derrick sighs in frustration.
Derrick: You’re not gonna get it back, you know. He’s a con man and a thief.
Em: You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Derrick: I know Gideon. Do you?
Em is all wide eyes. She doesn’t know what to make of this.
Max: (the defensive big brother) Hey, my sister’s a pretty smart girl. She can take care of herself, okay?
Derrick: Yeah. We’ll see. (He leaves.)
Max makes sure Derrick is leaving before he turns back to Em.
Max: Em? You didn’t, right? You didn’t give him any money, did you?
Em looks crushed.
BLACK
Act V
Exterior, Patio, Moments later:
Max: Did Gideon ask you for money?
Em: No! He didn’t ask me for anything. But I gave him some.
Max: (somewhat incredulous) What, your savings? (Em offers a small nod.) God, Emily, why would you do that? You’ve known the guy for, like, a month.
Em: No, no. I knew him in college.
Max: You barely knew him. You told us that. Why would you give him your savings? I mean, you bring him into the house. Why would you trust him like that?
Em: You’re right, okay? I should have learned my lesson by now. If you trust people, they might just take off. Disappear for a year right when you need them.
Max: That’s not fair.
Em: Yeah. No kidding. (She leaves.)
Cut to:
Interior, Kitchen/staging area:
Charlotte is practicing her speech, does part of it, continues with “blah, blah, blah,” to which Jon says . . .
Jonathan: No, nono. No “blah, blah, blahs.” Don’t do that. If you do that now, you will do that during your speech. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.
Jon steps away and Stack slides in with a couple of samples on a plate for Char.
Stack: Sprinkled with vanilla and white truffle scented sugar. Never been done before as far as I know.
Charlotte gasps with delight.
Charlotte: I can’t wait to taste this. (She picks up a tart and is about to bite into it succulently, when Jon slides back in and takes it from her hand.)
Jonathan: Nonono. No time for tarts. Mere minutes until the speech . . . (and he’s off again.)
Char and Stack look at each other, Char looking quite frustrated at being thwarted in her tart-tasting attempt.
Stack: Sorry. I didn’t mean to distract you. (Anxiously) I was just wondering—do you think tonight was a success? I mean, this is my catering job, right? ‘Cause Emily and I made this deal. Success is kind of the key word—
Char smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder, ready to reassure him when Jon is back, very nervous and anxious himself.
Jonathan: Stack, let’s recap after the speech, okay? (Stack nods and steps away.) Charlotte, are you ready?
Charlotte: (arranging her note cards, quite confident) I’m ready.
Jonathan: Okay. (With a hand to the small of her back, he ushers her away.)
Char pops back into the shot to reassure Stack . . .
Charlotte: Stack? Big success. Incredible. (She snatches a tart off a plate and exits the shot.)
Jon re-enters the shot and drops the tart back on the plate.
Cut to:
Interior, Parlor:
All the guests, plus media, are gathered to hear Char’s speech.
Charlotte: Our common goals of neighborhood revitalization, school programs, safer streets . . . they all start with one single idea . . .
Medium shot of Whit and Maggie listening to the speech.
Maggie seems subdued, arms crossed, simply listening. Whit is watching her carefully, with a small smile.
White: You okay?
Maggie: Mm, I’m fine.
Whit: Thanks for tonight. Charlotte’s, um, really something. And she’s hot.
Maggie chuckles.
Maggie: I knew she could count on your support.
Charlotte: (she has cards in hand, but she’s not using them.) They say that if you want to lead a community, first you have to be responsible for your own home. If you want to take action in your own home, you need to understand yourself. If you want to take action with yourself, you need to understand your own heart.
Shot of Em and Daisy listening. Em seems distracted.
Charlotte: I know my own heart.
Max has his camera at the ready, but he’s listening to his mom attentively and proudly.
Charlotte: It’s here. In this home. And I want to thank you all for joining us here, joining my family—
Ben and Stack, too, listen attentively.
Charlotte: (growing more impassioned as she continues) —and giving me the opportunity to get to know you, so that we can all work together to make this a stronger, a safer, a more vitalized community. A caring community. And I sure hope you’ll join me.
Applause all around. Max snaps some pics.
Em and Stack cross paths as people go on about their business.
Em: Hey.
Stack: Hey. So, your, uh, your mom thought the food worked.
Em: (distracted, searching the room) Everything was good.
Stack: (knowing he doesn’t have her attention) I mean, I know the lime leaves were a little droopy, and the dip was kinda salty, but, I mean, did it suck that bad?
Em: (now focused on him, paying attention to what he’s saying) Stack. No. No, it didn’t suck at all. It was awesome. Everyone said something about how great it was. I knew you’d rock, and you did. (She resumes scoping the room.)
Stack: Who’re you looking for?
Em: Sorry. I’m just a little spacey. I just, I have some stuff I need to take care of. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay? (She walks away.)
Stack: Yeah. Yeah, tomorrow. Right.
Max is snapping pictures when Maggie comes to bid him good night.
Maggie: I just wanted to say good night.
Max: Thanks for comin’.
They look at each other, as if waiting for the other to say something.
Maggie: See you later.
Max: (quietly) ‘Kay. Bye.
Cut to:
Daisy approaches Jon as he’s telling guests good night.
Daisy: Jonathan, you did a great job with everything.
Jonathan: (as graciously as he can) Oh. Well, thanks, Daisy. That means a lot coming from you.
Daisy: It does?
Jonathan: Yeah.
Daisy: My . . . my dad didn’t happen to mention anything about a list, did he?
Jon, puzzled, turns toward someone who has just entered the conversation—Ben.
Ben: (to Daisy) Can I have a word with you?
Daisy: Yeah. . . . ‘Bye, Jonathan. (She follows her father away.)
Jonathan: Uh, ‘bye, Daisy.
Cut to:
Interior, School, Night:
We see the camera pan down from the window in a door to the door’s handle as we hear Daisy’s voice . . .
Daisy: I can’t believe we’re doing this.
The door opens, and Daisy’s hand reaches in to switch on the light.
Ben is crouched toward the floor, carrying a large cardboard box.
Ben: Lights, Daisy.
Daisy flips the lights on.
Daisy: (laughing) You owe the guys at Animal Control big time.
Ben steps away, and a skunk climbs out of the box.
Ben: This is the last thing you’re crossing off your list.
As the skunk climbs completely out of the box, Ben and Daisy step back outside the room and shut the door.
Daisy: The principal’s gonna freak. Thanks, Daddy.
Ben: (with a self-satisfied smirk) Alright. Let’s go.
Cut to:
CU of a b&w headshot of Maggie.
Camera pulls up to reveal:
Interior, Max’s room:
Max slides the photo into his portfolio/notebook. Em steps into the room, body language dejected, vocal tone resigned.
Em: Have you seen Gideon?
Max: Not in a while.
Em gives a small nod and walks back out of the room.
Em: He’s gone.
Cut to:
Interior, Em’s room:
Em enters her room with tears in her eyes. She sits on her bed dejectedly, takes off her earrings. Then she sees an envelope lying among her pillows. It is stuffed with money and includes a note: “I’m sorry. Love, Gideon.”
VOJ: Trying too hard to protect the people I care about. I guess you could say that was my greatest flaw. Max has it, too. So does Em. I guess all us Morgans have it.
Max comes by Em’s room and sees her sitting there. He comes around to where she’s sitting and sits next to her, taking the note from her hand and reading it. He heaves a sigh when he’s finished.
Cut to:
Interior, School hallway, Night:
Daisy and Ben make their way through the school.
VOJ: It can hurt like crazy, tryin’ to hold on and stay close.
Cut to:
Interior, Limousine, Night:
Maggie gets in.
VOJ: But it takes me this long to realize how lucky it is when you can be there to take care of people you love.
Maggie: (to the man with her, Whit) Is that offer for a late dinner still open?
Whit: Absolutely.
Maggie looks back at the house once more, then Whit nods for the driver to proceed.
Dissolve to:
Em’s Room:
VOJ: The hardest part is letting them go.
Em and Max sit side by side on her bed. Em has tears streaming down her face. Max’s eyes hold sorrow and regret for what his sister is going through.
Max puts an arm around Em’s shoulders, and as he pulls her toward himself, she lets her forehead fall against his cheek. They sit quietly together as Em cries, Max offering her an big brother’s comfort.
Blue wash to BLACK
End Credits
Act IV
Blue wash up on:
Interior, Daisy’s room, Day:
Daisy is lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling.
VOJ: When Daisy was a kid, she was the toughest of all to keep an eye on, but we had a blast. Let’s just say that she demanded my undivided attention.
Daisy: Jake, I wish you were here, as usual. You could stop dad from acting like such a tyrant.
VOJ: Doubt it. But I wish I was there, too, Dais.
Ben knocks on the door and stands in the doorway.
Ben: It’s four o’clock.
Daisy: So?
Ben: You’re still in your pajamas.
Daisy: (as she rolls over away from him) Yeah.
Ben: This thing starts in a couple hours, and I know it’d mean a lot to your mother if you’d come downstairs and join the family.
Daisy: (sullen and sulky) I would like to, but I’m grounded.
Ben: Daisy, give me a break.
Daisy sits up in bed to confront him.
Daisy: You’re treating me like a total child.
Ben: You’re acting like one.
Daisy: You’re grounding me for wanting to have a life.
Ben: You’re talking to a video camera. (He moves into the room) You used to talk to me.
Daisy: Dad, that was years ago.
Ben: No, that was a year ago. (Daisy stares at him.) About since Jake.
Daisy: You had a lot to deal with. After Jake. I just had stupid, regular problems.
Ben: Are you, uh, sayin’ you were protecting me?
Daisy: (barely audible) I guess.
Ben’s expression is a mixture—surprised, touched, maybe a little regretful. He sits on the bed to talk to her.
Ben: Sugar, you can tell me anything that’s goin’ on, no matter what it is.
Daisy: And if you don’t like it, you’ll ground me?
Ben: Dais, all I’m sayin’ is that you don’t have to pack it all in at once. While you’re young.
Daisy: Fine. I don’t have to do it all now. But I have to grow up sometime. Maybe it’s not Jake. Maybe it’s just what happens. Can’t be Daddy’s girl forever, right?
A long pause as they each consider the situation. Ben rises and heads toward the door.
Ben: Come on downstairs. I know it would mean a lot. To all of us.
He leaves her alone.
Cut to:
Interior, Em’s room, Day:
Em is dressed for the party and she’s now putting on her jewelry. Gid sits on the bed watching.
Em: I know that money doesn’t cover everything, but at least it’s a start.
Gideon: Oh, it’s more than a start. It just feels wrong taking it.
Em: I practically forced it on you. Now I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s done.
Gideon: (standing and coming up to Em closely) Well, I know what else we can talk about.
Em: (turning toward him with a smile) Yeah?
Gideon: How good looking I am? I mean, look at me in my fancy, fancy digs (??? Threads, it should be, yes?)
Em: Smashing.
Gideon: It’s not easy being this good looking. I need all the help I can get to keep the babes away tonight.
Em: It might not be as hard as you think. Most of them are in their golden years.
Gideon: Aw, you’d be surprised. See, those’ll be the most aggressive.
Em laughs, and they head out of the room to the hallway just outside her room. He stops her and turns her toward him.
Gideon: You’re breathtaking, you know that?
Em: Shut up.
Gideon: No, I mean it.
He leans in, and they kiss lingeringly. At that point, Ben comes by, grumpy in his tux.
Ben: Can’t somebody show some restraint in this house?
Em: Sorry, Dad. Hey, you look very nice.
Ben: (indicating the bow tie) Took twenty minutes to tie this damn tie. (He heads downstairs.)
Cut to:
Foot of stairs/Front entry Hall:
Jonathan is ready to waylay Ben and start in on his assignment for the evening, but Ben is a man on a mission . . .
Jonathan: Oh, Ben, great!—
Ben: Let me get a drink. Then I’m gonna find my wife, and I’ll let you know when I’m ready for my orders.
Jonathan: (pulling up short, since he can’t really do anything else) Sure.
Jon exits the hall toward the parlor(?) past Max, who is setting things up next to the front door (loading his camera, maybe?).
Max’s attention is drawn to the front door as it opens and a stream of very pretty girls in tight white shirts and black pants enter. Em and Gid have come downstairs just in time to see the parade, and Em is aghast.
Em: (to Gid) Oh my God. Those waitresses are strippers from Marlowe’s. Stack hired strippers.
One tall blonde waves at Em and says, “Hi,” on her way past.
Em, rolling her eyes, follow them to the kitchen. Gid follows.
Jon (who has returned to the scene) and Max are thoughtful. (I wish you could see Jensen’s expression, cheeks puffed out, brows raised slightly, as he considers this turn of events.) Max and Jon stroll down the hall toward the kitchen, where the girls went. Jon’s arms are crossed in a contemplative stance, and Max has one hand in a pocket, the other raised mid-chest level, again, in a considering stance.
Jon: Wait staff.
Max: It’s nice.
Cut to:
Interior, Front hall, Evening:
As seen through a camera’s viewfinder. Guests are entering, being greeted by Charlotte and Ben while Max unobtrusively snaps pictures. (The shots switch back and forth between Max taking pictures and what Max sees through the viewfinder.) Max is surprised, and brought up a bit short, when he sees Maggie and Whit enter the foyer. The Morgans greet them warmly, Ben even giving Maggie a kiss on the cheek.
Maggie (and Whit) stop to exchange greetings with Max.
Max: I didn’t know you were coming.
Whit: Uh, Maggie convinced me that this was the place to be.
Maggie: He bought the tickets to support your mom’s campaign.
Max: Appreciate that.
Whit spies someone across the room.
Whit: (leaning toward Maggie as he indicates someone across the room) Uh, that is Amy Leoni, the biggest art buyer in northern California. We really must go and say hello.
Maggie: (nodding agreement with Whit as she speaks to Max) I’ll come find you later.
Max: Yeah. (He watches them as the make their way further into the house.)
Cut to:
Catering staging area:
Stack is handing one of his waitresses a tray of hors d’oeuvres before sending her out onto the floor.
Stack: (pointing to her blouse) Could you just button up one more button on that? (She struggles to button a button) Yeah. That’s great. Thanks. And, you know, maybe one more. (She does.) Yeah, just . . . great. Thank you. (As she takes the tray and leaves, he points to the dip) And that’s black sesame sauce if anyone cares.
Cut to:
The flash of a camera. Max takes one last picture with this roll of film (at least, I assume that’s the motivation for the blocking in the scene), and moves toward the end table where his camera bag rests. Whit approaches Max as he’s tending to his camera.
Whit: How’s it going?
Max: (cordial, but non-committal) Good.
Whit: (taking a drink from his glass) Maggie says you’re looking for a job.
Max: (splitting his attention between his camera and Whit) Yeah.
Whit: (sincerely) You should give me a call next week. I’ll give you some contacts.
Max: Great. I’ll do that.
Whit: I’m not a bad guy, you know, Max.
Max: I never said you were.
Whit: We’ve got quite a lot in common, actually.
Max: I doubt that.
Through the next speech, Max looks thoughtful. He listens to Whit, but watches him, too. He’s obviously a little uncomfortable with what he’s hearing, but he’s not shrinking away or backing down.
Whit: (sit-leaning on the end table) We both care what happens to Maggie. I’ve been looking out for her this past year, since you left. I’m not judging you, Max. Nobody should until they’ve been in your shoes. She’s been through it, though, and, uh, I’m sick of seeing her sad. She needs to move on. You know that. (Rising) She cares what you think, Max. So I hope you’re okay with this.
Max: Okay with what?
Whit: Maggie and me. It’s the first time she’s agreed to come out with me, but, um, I may be being presumptuous, but I’m hoping.
Max: (nods non-committal understanding) I’ve got to get back to work. (He takes his camera, camera strap over his shoulder, and camera bag and heads to the other room)
Cut to:
CU of Gid on the phone. In the background, we can see that Max sees Gid on the phone, but whether or not he hears the exchange is unclear. (I don’t think he does.)
Gideon: I’ll get it to you. Look! I told you I’m working on it.
Cut to:
Front hall:
Daisy makes an appearance in a very nice dress, all smiles, doing her level high school best to flirt with Jon.
Daisy: Hi!
Jonathan: Hey! I’m so glad you could make it.
Daisy: (beaming) Really.
Jonathan: Sure. Thought you were going to spend the whole evening in your pj’s.
Daisy: (laughing, but trying to cover) Well, who said I was in my pajamas?
Jonathan: Oh, I’m sorry. Should I not have said that? Your father just mentioned that you were in your pj’s, not coming out of bed.
Daisy: My dad said that. Wow. This house is really kind of repressive. You notice that?
Jonathan: Not—not really.
Cut to:
CU of Max’s hands changing a roll of film. (I didn’t notice the ring, so it must be gone.) Camera pulls up to show that he’s sitting on a couch at the coffee table. Maggie comes up to him and has a seat next to him.
Maggie: There you are.
Max: Hey.
Maggie: (with a smile) You look nice in a tux. (Wardrobe note: Max’s attire is not what I consider the uber-formal tux. No cummerbund or vest, and a regular tie. But definitely a tux jacket.)
Max: Thanks.
Maggie: It’s alright that I brought Ganier, right?
Max: (nodding awkwardly, but he looks at her when he says the important stuff) Yeah. Yeah. In fact, I wanted to say that I think it’s good that you’re seeing someone. Good for both of us. He seems like a decent guy.
Maggie looks surprised at this, and maybe a little disappointed.
Maggie: Oh. Yeah. It is, probably. Good for both of us.
They sit in awkward silence for a moment.
Maggie: I have to . . . could you excuse me a minute?
She beats a hasty retreat.
Max: Yeah. (He doesn’t watch her leave, just stays where he is looking uncertain.)
Cut to:
A front hall doorway between rooms, moments later:
Em sees Max snag a class of champagne from a passing waitress. He downs a gulp.
Em: Drinking on the job?
Max: Hm.
Em: You okay, Max?
Max: Sure. What about you? What’s goin’ on with that boyfriend of yours?
Em: Nothing. (She takes the glass and downs a swallow.)
Max: (taking the glass back from Em) Looks like we’re both doin’ great. (He takes another swallow.)
Gotta love siblings commiserating over dating woes as they share a glass of bubbly.
Cut to:
Front door:
A black man, maybe mid-twenties, wearing short-ish dreads, enters the house. Em sees this and makes a beeline for the entryway.
Jonathan: (to the newcomer, very “bouncer-like”) I’m sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jonathan Gray.
Em rushes up.
Em: I’ve got it, Jonathan. Derrick’s a friend of mine. Just dropping something off.
Jonathan: (not 100% convinced) No problem. (He moves away.)
Em: (to Derrick) What do you think you’re doing here?
Derrick: You know why I’m here.
Max: (who has come up beside his sister) I don’t. Who are you?
Em: (to Max) Just give us a minute, okay? (To Derrick, pointing to a grouping of men in the dining area) You see that guy over there? The big one? That’s my dad. He’s a cop. And the three guys around him? Cops.
Derrick: Look, I just need to talk to your boyfriend, then I’ll go.
Max: (ready to play bouncer his own self) Why don’t we go outside?
Em: Max . . .
Max: No, let’s go. (He moves to lead the three of them outside.)
Cut to:
Exterior, what looks like the patio, night:
Max: (turning on Derrick) Hey, man, I don’t know who you are, but obviously my sister doesn’t want you here, so maybe you should take off.
Derrick: Man, you don’t even know what’s goin’ on here, do you. Her boyfriend’s using your little sister as a shield, man.
Em’s eyes are wide and she shakes her head in denial.
Derrick: Doesn’t exactly cover his tracks very well, made it pretty easy for me to find you.
Em: He’s not using me as a shield, okay? I brought him here. (She’s explaining this to Max as much as to Derrick. Max raises an eyebrow and dang! but that’s a Dean expression he’s got goin’.)
Derrick: He got money from you, didn’t he.
Em looks surprised that Derrick would know this. Derrick sighs in frustration.
Derrick: You’re not gonna get it back, you know. He’s a con man and a thief.
Em: You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Derrick: I know Gideon. Do you?
Em is all wide eyes. She doesn’t know what to make of this.
Max: (the defensive big brother) Hey, my sister’s a pretty smart girl. She can take care of herself, okay?
Derrick: Yeah. We’ll see. (He leaves.)
Max makes sure Derrick is leaving before he turns back to Em.
Max: Em? You didn’t, right? You didn’t give him any money, did you?
Em looks crushed.
BLACK
Act V
Exterior, Patio, Moments later:
Max: Did Gideon ask you for money?
Em: No! He didn’t ask me for anything. But I gave him some.
Max: (somewhat incredulous) What, your savings? (Em offers a small nod.) God, Emily, why would you do that? You’ve known the guy for, like, a month.
Em: No, no. I knew him in college.
Max: You barely knew him. You told us that. Why would you give him your savings? I mean, you bring him into the house. Why would you trust him like that?
Em: You’re right, okay? I should have learned my lesson by now. If you trust people, they might just take off. Disappear for a year right when you need them.
Max: That’s not fair.
Em: Yeah. No kidding. (She leaves.)
Cut to:
Interior, Kitchen/staging area:
Charlotte is practicing her speech, does part of it, continues with “blah, blah, blah,” to which Jon says . . .
Jonathan: No, nono. No “blah, blah, blahs.” Don’t do that. If you do that now, you will do that during your speech. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.
Jon steps away and Stack slides in with a couple of samples on a plate for Char.
Stack: Sprinkled with vanilla and white truffle scented sugar. Never been done before as far as I know.
Charlotte gasps with delight.
Charlotte: I can’t wait to taste this. (She picks up a tart and is about to bite into it succulently, when Jon slides back in and takes it from her hand.)
Jonathan: Nonono. No time for tarts. Mere minutes until the speech . . . (and he’s off again.)
Char and Stack look at each other, Char looking quite frustrated at being thwarted in her tart-tasting attempt.
Stack: Sorry. I didn’t mean to distract you. (Anxiously) I was just wondering—do you think tonight was a success? I mean, this is my catering job, right? ‘Cause Emily and I made this deal. Success is kind of the key word—
Char smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder, ready to reassure him when Jon is back, very nervous and anxious himself.
Jonathan: Stack, let’s recap after the speech, okay? (Stack nods and steps away.) Charlotte, are you ready?
Charlotte: (arranging her note cards, quite confident) I’m ready.
Jonathan: Okay. (With a hand to the small of her back, he ushers her away.)
Char pops back into the shot to reassure Stack . . .
Charlotte: Stack? Big success. Incredible. (She snatches a tart off a plate and exits the shot.)
Jon re-enters the shot and drops the tart back on the plate.
Cut to:
Interior, Parlor:
All the guests, plus media, are gathered to hear Char’s speech.
Charlotte: Our common goals of neighborhood revitalization, school programs, safer streets . . . they all start with one single idea . . .
Medium shot of Whit and Maggie listening to the speech.
Maggie seems subdued, arms crossed, simply listening. Whit is watching her carefully, with a small smile.
White: You okay?
Maggie: Mm, I’m fine.
Whit: Thanks for tonight. Charlotte’s, um, really something. And she’s hot.
Maggie chuckles.
Maggie: I knew she could count on your support.
Charlotte: (she has cards in hand, but she’s not using them.) They say that if you want to lead a community, first you have to be responsible for your own home. If you want to take action in your own home, you need to understand yourself. If you want to take action with yourself, you need to understand your own heart.
Shot of Em and Daisy listening. Em seems distracted.
Charlotte: I know my own heart.
Max has his camera at the ready, but he’s listening to his mom attentively and proudly.
Charlotte: It’s here. In this home. And I want to thank you all for joining us here, joining my family—
Ben and Stack, too, listen attentively.
Charlotte: (growing more impassioned as she continues) —and giving me the opportunity to get to know you, so that we can all work together to make this a stronger, a safer, a more vitalized community. A caring community. And I sure hope you’ll join me.
Applause all around. Max snaps some pics.
Em and Stack cross paths as people go on about their business.
Em: Hey.
Stack: Hey. So, your, uh, your mom thought the food worked.
Em: (distracted, searching the room) Everything was good.
Stack: (knowing he doesn’t have her attention) I mean, I know the lime leaves were a little droopy, and the dip was kinda salty, but, I mean, did it suck that bad?
Em: (now focused on him, paying attention to what he’s saying) Stack. No. No, it didn’t suck at all. It was awesome. Everyone said something about how great it was. I knew you’d rock, and you did. (She resumes scoping the room.)
Stack: Who’re you looking for?
Em: Sorry. I’m just a little spacey. I just, I have some stuff I need to take care of. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay? (She walks away.)
Stack: Yeah. Yeah, tomorrow. Right.
Max is snapping pictures when Maggie comes to bid him good night.
Maggie: I just wanted to say good night.
Max: Thanks for comin’.
They look at each other, as if waiting for the other to say something.
Maggie: See you later.
Max: (quietly) ‘Kay. Bye.
Cut to:
Daisy approaches Jon as he’s telling guests good night.
Daisy: Jonathan, you did a great job with everything.
Jonathan: (as graciously as he can) Oh. Well, thanks, Daisy. That means a lot coming from you.
Daisy: It does?
Jonathan: Yeah.
Daisy: My . . . my dad didn’t happen to mention anything about a list, did he?
Jon, puzzled, turns toward someone who has just entered the conversation—Ben.
Ben: (to Daisy) Can I have a word with you?
Daisy: Yeah. . . . ‘Bye, Jonathan. (She follows her father away.)
Jonathan: Uh, ‘bye, Daisy.
Cut to:
Interior, School, Night:
We see the camera pan down from the window in a door to the door’s handle as we hear Daisy’s voice . . .
Daisy: I can’t believe we’re doing this.
The door opens, and Daisy’s hand reaches in to switch on the light.
Ben is crouched toward the floor, carrying a large cardboard box.
Ben: Lights, Daisy.
Daisy flips the lights on.
Daisy: (laughing) You owe the guys at Animal Control big time.
Ben steps away, and a skunk climbs out of the box.
Ben: This is the last thing you’re crossing off your list.
As the skunk climbs completely out of the box, Ben and Daisy step back outside the room and shut the door.
Daisy: The principal’s gonna freak. Thanks, Daddy.
Ben: (with a self-satisfied smirk) Alright. Let’s go.
Cut to:
CU of a b&w headshot of Maggie.
Camera pulls up to reveal:
Interior, Max’s room:
Max slides the photo into his portfolio/notebook. Em steps into the room, body language dejected, vocal tone resigned.
Em: Have you seen Gideon?
Max: Not in a while.
Em gives a small nod and walks back out of the room.
Em: He’s gone.
Cut to:
Interior, Em’s room:
Em enters her room with tears in her eyes. She sits on her bed dejectedly, takes off her earrings. Then she sees an envelope lying among her pillows. It is stuffed with money and includes a note: “I’m sorry. Love, Gideon.”
VOJ: Trying too hard to protect the people I care about. I guess you could say that was my greatest flaw. Max has it, too. So does Em. I guess all us Morgans have it.
Max comes by Em’s room and sees her sitting there. He comes around to where she’s sitting and sits next to her, taking the note from her hand and reading it. He heaves a sigh when he’s finished.
Cut to:
Interior, School hallway, Night:
Daisy and Ben make their way through the school.
VOJ: It can hurt like crazy, tryin’ to hold on and stay close.
Cut to:
Interior, Limousine, Night:
Maggie gets in.
VOJ: But it takes me this long to realize how lucky it is when you can be there to take care of people you love.
Maggie: (to the man with her, Whit) Is that offer for a late dinner still open?
Whit: Absolutely.
Maggie looks back at the house once more, then Whit nods for the driver to proceed.
Dissolve to:
Em’s Room:
VOJ: The hardest part is letting them go.
Em and Max sit side by side on her bed. Em has tears streaming down her face. Max’s eyes hold sorrow and regret for what his sister is going through.
Max puts an arm around Em’s shoulders, and as he pulls her toward himself, she lets her forehead fall against his cheek. They sit quietly together as Em cries, Max offering her an big brother’s comfort.
Blue wash to BLACK
End Credits
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-09-18 11:30 am (UTC)Max puts an arm around Em’s shoulders, and as he pulls her toward himself, she lets her forehead fall against his cheek. They sit quietly together as Em cries, Max offering her an older brother’s comfort."
awww, sounds like another nice scene.
It's such a shame that we'll probably never have a way to see these episodes. :(
Thanks again for all of the time and effort you put into this project. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 12:28 pm (UTC)You're very welcome. Thank you for letting me know you're still reading along.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-18 10:45 pm (UTC)Thanks again for doing this. It is appreciated and certainly of interest to me, although it's a bit hard to explain why. I just wish we could get to see the episodes too, as my imagination is rather lacking!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-19 12:30 pm (UTC)And thank you for letting me know you're reading along. I appreciate it.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 07:15 am (UTC)definitely still reading along. Anxious for every update... :}
no subject
Date: 2008-09-22 08:58 pm (UTC)HA!
Date: 2008-09-23 07:46 am (UTC)Re: HA!
Date: 2008-09-23 05:51 pm (UTC)Someone pointed out to me that this actor later played Luthor the vampire in "Dead Man's Blood." I'd never have recognized him if it hadn't been pointed out. Am I sensing a pattern here?
Thanks for reading!
Re: HA!
Date: 2008-09-23 07:38 pm (UTC)