Episode #01
Act I
the kitchen of the Fisher home:
Paula and Molly are sitting at the kitchen table, drinks in hand
Paula
Well, honey, I think it’s great that you’re finally getting into
a career field you enjoy. You were always very interested in fashion as a
little girl. I remember, you’d make Sarah and Jason play dress-up with
you, and they had to be perfectly coordinated. You were an interesting set
of kids, to say the least …
Molly
Tell me about it! We did some pretty weird things. Anyway … getting
back to the topic of my job, I still can’t believe that I landed it!
I mean, designing clothes for one of the top retailers in the country. It
still hasn’t sunken in yet.
Paula
I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I look back on my life and, just
for a few moments, I wish I’d have taken a career and lived on my own.
But I’ll never regret marrying your dad and staying home to raise the
four of you.
Molly
Speaking of "the four of us," do you know where Tim and Claire are? I’ve
been trying to call them the whole weekend, but they don’t seem to be
at home.
Molly walks over to the window
Paula
They’re in Chicago, looking at houses.
Molly turns back in surprise
Molly
Why? … You don’t mean? … They’re moving?
Paula
Tim said that he was offered a job with a large publishing corporation in
Chicago and he was seriously considering taking the offer. They wanted to
fly there and just check out the area first. They’re coming in late
tonight, though.
Molly
Why would they want to raise the baby in Chicago? King’s Bay is such
a great town for kids to grow up in.
Paula
I know. Anyway, they said they’ll wait until the baby is born
before they do anything major.
Molly
Well, Mom, that only gives us two months to talk them out of it …
an airplane:
Tim
Claire, you really don’t look too happy about this move.
Claire
No, I’m fine … it’s just that, well, I’ll miss everyone
in King’s Bay.
Tim
Your father?
Claire
Not that much. We’ve grown so far apart lately that it almost doesn’t
matter. And he has this obsession with controlling me. He thinks he’s
making me happy, but he’s doing more harm than good.
Tim
Then who are you gonna miss? Your mother, rest her soul, isn’t here
anymore.
Claire
More than anything, your family. Your mom has become almost like another
mother to me. She’s really helped with this pregnancy.
Tim
That’s it, isn’t it? You don’t think Chicago is going to be
good enough to raise our son in?
Claire
Well …
Tim
I’m sure you’ll get used to the idea of leaving King’s Bay
and living in Chicago.
Claire stares out the window
Claire (thinking)
I wouldn’t be so sure of it.
at the police station, in an office:
Sarah walks into Brent’s office
Brent
Good morning, Sarah
Sarah
Good morning, Brent – I mean, Commander..
Brent
Just because we work together now doesn’t mean that you have to address
me so formally, Sarah. Just lighten up. You’re doing a great job on
the force already.
Sarah
Thank you—
Brent
But there’s something I need to talk to you about.
Brent walks around to other side of desk
Sarah
What would that be? Is it some kind of assignment? I’m sure I can—
Brent
Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight.
Act II
in the Fisher kitchen:
Bill walks in through front door
Bill
Hey, is anybody here?
Paula
We’re in the kitchen, Bill!
Bill walks into kitchen
Bill
Hi, honey. Molly! What’re you doing here?
Molly
Guess what?
Bill
What?
Molly
C’mon, Dad, try to guess.
Bill
I give up.
Molly
Oh, you’re no fun. Here is it: I got a job at Charlene Powers!
Bill
Interesting.
Molly
It’s one of the biggest fashion agencies in the entire country!
Bill
No! I’m so proud of you!
Paula rises from her chair and stands next to Bill
Paula
She starts this week.
Bill
That’s great! That’s so … wonderful!
Molly
Yep.
at the airport:
Tim and Claire are walking down a nearly-empty corridor
Tim
Claire, I know you’re not happy about this move. But I think that if
we’re going to start a family in the next few months we should try to
break free a little and not live our lives for our parents. Do you know what
I mean?
Claire
I know exactly what you’re saying, but I honestly can’t say I like
it.
Claire stops in her tracks and hides against the wall
Tim
Are you upset because of your job? I’m sure there are plenty of positions
available as a nurse in that area.
Claire
I don’t care about that. It’s something else.
Tim
Obviously. But what? Tell me what’s wrong.
at the ice skating rink:
Sandy
Okay, let’s just see that lift one more time.
Jason
What am I doing wrong?
Sandy
I’m not sure; just do it again and let me look at it.
Jason and Courtney begin to skate out-of-frame
Courtney
Okay – here it goes.
Slow-motion sets in as frame shifts to Jason & Courtney; Courtney
is falling onto the ground
Normal motion resumes as Jason stands up
Jason
Oh my God! Are you okay?
Sandy rushes over, frantically
Sandy
How—what—why? Courtney, can you hear me?
Courtney
Yeah, I think I’m fine. What happened, Jason?
Jason
I’m not too sure. Sandy, go call the paramedics!
Sandy runs out-of-frame, then runs back in
Courtney
Jason, help me up!
Courtney tries to stand and falls back down again
Courtney
Why can’t I stand up? My leg!
Act III
at the skating rink:
Courtney
Jason, it’s my leg!
Jason
What? What’s wrong?
Courtney
I think my leg is broken or something!!
Sandy
No! I can’t believe this is happening! Don’t worry, we’ll
get you to a hospital.
outside the Pier:
Sarah
Well, Brent, thanks for a great evening.
Brent
Does it have to be over yet?
Sarah
Not quite … walk me to my car.
They start to walk out into the parking lot
Brent
Why wasn’t your dad here tonight? He owns the place, doesn’t he?
Sarah
He usually leaves between five and six. He leaves the rest of the staff to
fend for themselves.
Sarah opens her car door and gets inside
Brent
I see. Well, will I be seeing you at the station tomorrow?
Sarah
Of course.
Brent
Well, good, because you really have very little choice.
Sarah
I love my job! Believe me, I wouldn’t miss a day of it. I could spend
my whole life there!
She closes the door, rolls down the window, and starts the engine
Brent
You wouldn’t wanna do that. Then when would I be able to take you out
to dinner?
at the Fisher home:
Tim and Claire walk through front door
Tim
Mom, Dad! Hi – we’re back!
Bill, Paula, and Molly enter living room
Paula
Oh Tim, Claire, you’re early. What a pleasant surprise!
Claire
We were able to catch an earlier flight.
Paula
Why Claire, is anything wrong?
Claire
Not really. Just a little jetlagged is all.
Tim
We saw some really gorgeous neighborhoods for young couples with little kids.
Great places.
Bill
Do you really think you’re going to accept that job offer?
Tim
I think so. Right, Claire?
Claire
Guess so.
Bill
You’re going to leave King’s Bay? Why?
Tim
Nothing in particular, but we feel it’s time to start our own life now.
Paula
Oh, but Tim … I guess there’s no use in arguing with you right
now. Come into the kitchen, everyone!
All go into kitchen except Molly
Molly
Tim, hang on.
Tim
Yeah? What’s up?
They step over near the piano
Molly
Nothing much. Um, what’s going on here? Why are you so eager to take
this job offer?
Tim
Well …
Molly
Come on, Tim. What is going on?
Act IV
at the hospital, in the waiting room:
Jason is sitting, uncomfortably reading; Sandy enters room
Jason
Sandy, Sandy! Is she alright? What’s wrong?
Sandy
It’s not exactly a life-threatening injury, Jason. But there is something
…
Jason
What? What’s happened to her? This is all my fault! Dammit!
Sandy
It’s not your fault. These things happen. But … Courtney broke
her leg in four places. It’s really a nasty injury, and …
Jason
What?
Sandy
I’m afraid that— The doctors think— She’s going to have
to quit skating for a couple of months, and it might be over a year before
she’s back to the level she’s been at.
Jason
You mean—?
Sandy
There’s no way she’ll be able to compete this year.
Jason
This was supposed to be our big year! We were gonna go big! I could feel
it … God, this is all my fault! Dammit! I am so stupid!
Sandy
Either you bow out of the competition season or we find you a new partner
quick.
Jason
A new partner? Would you be able to do that?
Sandy
There are a couple of girls that might work. It would be a huge push, though.
Jason
Let’s go for it.
in the Fisher kitchen:
Bill, Paula, and Claire are in the kitchen talking when Sarah comes in
through the back door
Paula
And what brings you here, sweetie?
Sarah
Nothing much.
Paula
Oh, come on - I can tell from the expression on your face. Why are you so
happy?
Sarah
Nothing, really. I just had the most wonderful evening. We had dinner at
the Pier—
Claire
We? Oooohhh …. Who he is?
Sarah
My commander, Brent. And what’s more, I’ve been taken off probation
and instituted as a full-time officer!
Bill
That’s terrific! Everyone has great news tonight – Molly got a
job at … some big fashion place.
Paula
The Charlene Powers agency!
Sarah
Oh my God! That’s so cool! Where is she?
in the living room:
Tim stares at Molly and then turns away
Molly
Tim, you can tell your little sister. What is going on?
Tim
Seriously, it’s not anything. I – we – just want to start
our own lives once our baby comes. You know?
Molly
I guess so, but I don’t like it. I can’t believe you’re gonna
move.
Tim
Well, I’m – we’re – not certain yet. Come on: Let’s
go back in the kitchen.
They go into the kitchen
Sarah
Molly, I heard about the job! That’s terrific!
Molly
Thanks! What’re you doing here?
Claire
She just came from a date …
Molly
Oooh … I want details later. Where’s Jason?
Paula
You know, I was just wondering that. He was supposed to be home from the
rink two hours ago.
Front door slams out-of-frame
Bill
Jason? Is that you?
Jason
Yeah.
Bill
Why do you sound so glum? What’s wrong?
Everyone shuffles into the living room, near the open front door
Jason
Let’s just say Courtney was forced into an early retirement tonight.
Molly
What? What happened to her?
Jason
I did. I dropped her. I, I don’t know really what happened. But she
ending up falling and breaking her leg in a couple of places. Sandy said
that she’ll be out for maybe a year.
Paula
Oh my! But what about you? Will you have to withdraw from competition this
year?
Jason
I hope not. If I wait till next year, I’ll be twenty, and most of the
judges think that’s too old to be a serious competitor. I’ll be
bumped off the circuit. But Sandy says that I’ll probably be paired
up with someone else, at least to just get me out in front of everyone this
year.
Bill
What a messy situation.
Jason
Tell me about it. Now if you all don’t mind, I’m going up to bed.
Jason goes up the stairs
Paula
Goodnight, honey.
Tim
C’mon, Claire, we should be getting home. It’s pretty late and
you must be exhausted.
Claire
I am. Goodnight, everyone.
Bill
Goodnight, guys.
Tim and Claire exit through front door
Molly
I’m going too. I’ve had a long day.
Sarah
Me too. See you all later.
Molly and Sarah walk out front door
Paula
Bye, girls!
Molly & Sarah
Goodnight, Mom!
Bill
It seems like all our lives are being turned upside-down lately.
Paula
I know, dear … I know.
Act V
outside Molly’s apartment:
Molly comes up the stairs and fumbles in the dark for the doorknob. She
kicks something.
Molly
Aaaaaagggghhhhh!!!!
She looks down at her feet
Molly
Calm down … it’s probably just some junk that got delivered today.
She bends to pick it up and camera zooms in on a dead bird nailed to the
floor, next to 12 roses
Molly
Aaaaaggggghhhhhh!!!!
Out on Molly’s frightened face
End of Episode 1
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