A NORTHERN EXPOSURE VALENTINE: TO THE BETTER END

 

                            

         FADE IN:

        

         EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

          

         We HEAR the music, Artie Shaw’s “Nightmare.”  The

         CAMERA PANS a surreal looking forest; the trees have

         clock faces and long pendulums which keep time to the          music.

 

         MAGGIE’S POV - AN ENGLISH STYLE BABY CARRIAGE

 

         MAGGIE is chasing the carriage through the forest.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

 

         INT.  MAGGIE’S BEDROOM - MORNING - ANGLE ON MAGGIE

 

         MAGGIE bolts upright from a sleeping position.  She looks

         at her clock radio which reads 7:00 and falls back on her          bed.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Oh no!  Not again.

 

         TITLES BEGIN

 

         INT. KBHR RADIO STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

 

         CHRIS is sitting at the microphone with a copy of Freud’s

         Interpretation of Dreams.

 

                            CHRIS

                  Good morning Cicelians and thank you                         Artie Shaw for that rendition of

                  Nightmare. I trust that everyone slept

                  well last night. How do you feel about

                  dreams? Do they represent, as Freud

                  suggested, wish fulfillment of the

                  individual’s unconscious, or do you take                    the Jungian view that dreams are

                  archetypes which result from the

                  collective unconscious?  Or are dreams

                  the result of neurons randomly firing?

         (sips some coffee)

                  It is Thursday, January twenty-ninth,

                  Nineteen ninety-eight, a few

                  minutes after seven o’clock.

                            (MORE)   

                            

                            CHRIS (CONT’D)

                  This is Chris in the morning with

                  announcements from the KBHR Cicely

                   Community Calendar.  Our first item is

                  today’s baby shower for Doc and Mrs.

                  Capra to be hosted by Shelly and Holling.

                  Bring those booties, blankets, and

                  bottles to the Brick at four PM.  Herbal

                  Tea will be served.                                (beat)

                  Our next announcement, highlighting the

                  social         season of the Borough of Arrowhead                             County, is the greatly anticipated

                  marriage of Maurice Minnifield and

                  Sergeant Barbara Semanski this Sunday,

                  February first at eleven in the morning.

                   (sips coffee)

                  For those of you who may not be fully

                  informed of the progress of the

                  Minnifield dash Semanski nuptials, it

                  began roughly four years ago when the

                  boss first popped the question to the

                  lady in blue.  Since that time, she has

                  been stricken with two severe attacks of

                  popsicle toes as the invitations were

                  being printed; let’s hope that third

                  time will be the charm.  Special guests                      include Maurice’s extended family from

                  Korea and Barbara’s twin sister Debbie.

                  Adam will be catering the luncheon and

                  Cal will provide music during the

                  ceremony with yours truly officiating.

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

                            

         INT. THE BRICK - MORNING - CAMERA PANS THE CUSTOMERS AT

         THE BAR

         

         HOLLING is pouring coffee while MAURICE and others are          sitting at the bar, eating breakfast and listening to the          VOICE OVER from CHRIS on the radio.

                            

                            CHRIS (V.O.)

                  I’ve been thinking about a gift for

                  the happy couple and, well, let’s face

                  it, what can I give to Maurice and

                  Barbara?  So, dear listeners, if         you

                  will bear with me, I will be, starting

                  tomorrow, devoting the next three days

                  to continuous programming of show tunes

                  from the Broadway stage to the silver

                  screen.

         

        

         The CAMERA ZOOMS to MAURICE who smiles broadly while          other patrons in the Brick groan.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. KBHR STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

                                                                    CHRIS

                  The wedding preparations have given me

                  a chance to review the thoughts of other

                  great thinkers on love and marriage.

                  Plato remarked, “At the touch of love

                  everyone becomes a poet.”  Sammy         Cahn

                  said “Love and marriage, love and

                  marriage, go together like a horse and

                  carriage.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

                  wrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count

                  the ways.”  Christopher Marlowe penned

                  “Come live with me and be my love, And we

                  will all the pleasures prove. . .” Of

                  course Shakespeare had quite a bit to say

                  about love; don’t get him started. And

                  while  we’re on the subject, Maggie, this

                  one’s for you.

 

         CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console.  We

         HEAR the song, “Wedding Bell Blues” as sung by Laura Nyro.

                   

                             DISSOLVE TO:

        

         INT. THE CAPRA’S CABIN - MORNING - CAMERA PANS THE          BREAKFAST TABLE

 

         PHIL, WERNER AND ELLIE THOMPSON are seated at the table;         MICHELLE, visibly pregnant, is serving cinnamon rolls. We          continue to HEAR  “Wedding Bell Blues.”  ANGLE on          MICHELLE.

 

                            MICHELLE

                  Werner, Ellie, cinnamon rolls?

                  

                            ELLIE

                  These look wonderful.

                   (She takes one.)

 

                            MICHELLE

                  Well Phil, what do you think?  Sounds

                  like a wedding proposal to me.  Maggie

                  hasn’t said a word to me about this.

 

         

 

                            PHIL

                  I don’t know Michelle.  Chris hasn’t said

                  anything to me either. Still, they’ve been

                  a couple just about as long as we’ve been

                  here. 

 

                            WERNER

                  That’s almost five years isn’t it?

 

                   

                             DISSOLVE TO:

                    

 

         EXT. CICELY AIR STRIP - LATE MORNING -  ANGLE ON BARBARA

         AND MAURICE  

 

         MAURICE and BARBARA are watching as MAGGIE lands her          plane.  MAURICE’S relatives disembark. 

 

                            MAURICE

                  Welcome to Cicely.  Barbara, I would like

                  you to meet my son, Duk Won and his wife

                  Soon Ae; This is Duk Won’s son, Bon Joo

                  and who do we have here?

 

                            BON JOO

                  Grandfather, I wish to introduce you to

                  my wife, Cha Rim, and our son, Maurice.

                                                           MAURICE

                  Did you hear that, Barbara, his name is

                  Maurice!

 

                           BARBARA

                  I am very pleased to meet all of you. 

 

                            DUK WON

                  And I am very pleased to meet you

                  Ms. Semanski.

 

                            MAURICE

                  Duk Won, you’re speaking English!

                   

                            DUK WON

                  Yes father.  Soon Ae and I decided to take            lessons; we wanted to understand your

                  wedding.

                   

                            MAURICE

                  Barbara and I are invited to a baby

                  shower this afternoon.  I would be

                            (MORE)

                            MAURICE (CONT’D)

                  delighted if you came, too. Okay, let’s

                  get this show on the road; everyone                    into the Suburban!

                  (to MAGGIE)

                  Thanks Maggie for bringing my family home                        safely.

 

         MAURICE, BARBARA and his KOREAN FAMILY begin filling

         the Suburban.

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. THE BRICK - NOON - CAMERA PANS THE LUNCH CROWD          SITTING AT THE BAR

 

         MAGGIE is seated at the bar. SHELLY, eight months          pregnant, is working behind the bar, approaches MAGGIE          with a coffee pot. RUTH-ANNE is sitting next to MAGGIE.          There is an empty stool on the other side of MAGGIE.

         We HEAR the radio playing “This Time the Dream is on Me.”         ANGLE on SHELLY.                                                                                  SHELLY

                  Hi Maggie. What can I get you for lunch?

                                                                    MAGGIE

                  A cup of coffee, the hard stuff, would

                  be just fine, and a tuna salad sandwich on

                  wheat.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Coming right up.

                   (pours coffee.)

                  So, Maggie, have you given Chris your

                  answer.

                                                           MAGGIE

                  To what? 

 

                            SHELLY

                  Didn’t you hear Chris this morning on the

                  radio?         He practically asked you to marry

                  him.  First he talks about love and then

                  reads poetry and then dedicates The

                  “Wedding Bell Blues” to you. Sure sounded

                  like a proposal to me. What did you                         think, Ruth-Anne?

 

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  Maggie, I think Shelly is right; although

                  I preferred the Fifth Dimension’s version                               (MORE)

                            RUTH-ANNE (CONT’D)

                  better. Have you seen my first great

                  grandchild’s baby pictures?

           

         RUTH-ANNE hands the pictures to MAGGIE. She looks at the          photographs.

                            

                            MAGGIE

                  Oh, that.

                                                           SHELLY

                  Yes, that.  So, what are you going to

                  tell him?

 

                            MAGGIE                       I don’t know. I have to think about it.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Well, think fast; here he comes.

 

         RUTH-ANNE leaves. CHRIS returns to his seat on the other          side of MAGGIE.

                   

                            SHELLY

                  Can I get you anything else?

                            

                            CHRIS

                  No, Shelly, I’m full.

 

         SHELLY clears his plate and returns to the kitchen. ANGLE          on  CHRIS and MAGGIE.

         

                            CHRIS (CONT’D)          

                   (to MAGGIE)

                  About this morning, I’m sorry, I should

                  have spoken to you privately. Sometimes

                  when I’m working, I imagine that I’m

                  talking just to you.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Chris ... I don’t know what to say.  I’ve

                  been so content these past few years

                  with things just the way they are, I

                  hadn’t thought about taking the

                  relationship any further. Marriage is a

                  very big step and, oh, I don’t know. 

 

                            CHRIS

                  Is it the O’Connell curse?  Are you

                  afraid that something might happen to me

                  once we made a commitment and lived under

                  the same roof?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Do you believe that nonsense? There is no

                  such thing as a curse.  Everything occurs

                  as a matter of probability.  My having a                    relationship with Rick and the others was

                  purely a coincidence. Besides, even if

                  there is such as thing as a curse, I

                  cured Mike Monroe and, as far as I know,

                  Fleishman is still living.

                             

                            CHRIS

                  I don’t want to pressure you.  Let’s take

                  it nice and easy.

 

         CHRIS gets up from the stool.            

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Chris, this is so sudden and it’s such a                      surprise, can you give me some time?

 

                            CHRIS

                  I’m not going anywhere.

 

         CHRIS exits The Brick and SHELLY rushes back to MAGGIE.

         SHELLY returns from the kitchen with MAGGIE’S sandwich.

                                      

                            SHELLY

                  So Maggie, what happened?  Have you set a

                  date?         Can I do your wedding shower? 

 

                            MAGGIE

                  When I came in here today, it was for a

                  cup of coffee and a sandwich.  Now I am

                  facing the biggest decision of my life

                  and I want it to be right.

                   (beat)

                  Did I ever tell you about the dream I had

                  after         Rick died?  Well, in the dream, I

                  met Rick at the Grosse Point Country Club

                  which was substituting for heaven.  He                           told me that he had met all of my

                  deceased boyfriends and thought that

                  I would be better off with someone more

                  stable, like Fleishman.

         

                            SHELLY

                  I have really tried to hang with Barbara,

                  but I just don’t get that chick.  Here it

                  is the biggest day of her life, getting

                  hitched to Maurice and she wouldn’t let

                  me do her wedding shower.

                    

                   

                            MAGGIE

                  Maybe I should have married him; but he

                  wouldn’t have been happy staying in

                  Cicely         and I couldn’t live in New York.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Do you know what she said?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  It’s been over four years since he left

                  and it probably was for the best, but I

                  still feel badly about how we ended;

                  there was so much emotional energy

                  invested in that relationship.

                                      

                            SHELLY

                  She said that a wedding shower for her

                  and Maurice was superfluous.  So I

                  suggested a personal shower, you know,

                  undies and lacy nighties and she said    

                  that was just plain silly. She asked me

                  to be her bridesmaid and so far, I’ve

                  done diddly.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Shelly, thanks for listening.  I’ve got

                  to run. I’ll see you later.

 

         MAGGIE places money on the counter and leaves.

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

                                                EXT. THE BRICK - DAY - ANGLE ON PHIL AND MICHELLE

        

         MICHELLE, nine months pregnant, is having some          difficulty walking on the icy sidewalk.  PHIL is helping          her to enter The Brick.             

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. THE BRICK - DAY - 4:01 PM - CAMERA PANS GUESTS

 

         The shower GUESTS are sitting on chairs in a circle;          shower gifts are stacked on the bar. Shelly is holding a          tape measure.  ANGLE on SHELLY and MICHELLE.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Holling and I want to thank all of you                      for coming to Michelle and Phil’s shower

                  for the baby girl Capra.  You know

                  they’re keeping her name a secret?

                  Anyway, the first game we’re going

                            (MORE)

                            SHELLY (CONT’D)

                  to play will be to guess the actual size,

                  in inches, of Michelle’s waist. I’ll pass

                  paper around for all of you to write

                  your best guess.

        

         THE CAMERA PANS the reaction of the GUESTS and focuses on          MAGGIE who is seated in between EVE and MARILYN who is          accompanied by MR. BELLATI. 

                   

                            EVE

                  Have you noticed all of the babies in the

                  room? I’m five months pregnant, Michelle

                  is due next week, and Shelly is due in

                  mid-February.

         

                            RON

                  Erick and I are on a waiting list for an                          adoption.

         

                            MAURICE

                   (muttering to Barbara)

                  Just what this town needs is the two of

                  them raising a child together.

                     

                            MARILYN

                  We’re going to have a baby in six months.

         

         MR. BELLATI squeezes MARILYN’S hand and smiles proudly.

 

                            EVE

                  That’s wonderful news.  Are you taking

                  your prenatal vitamins?  Have you had any                     morning sickness?  You cannot believe how

                  ill I was with Aldrich and now with this

                  one.  You really must keep your blood

                  sugar even because you don’t want to risk 

                  gestational diabetes.  

 

 

         The CAMERA focuses on MAGGIE as she rises and signals to

         CHRIS to join her at the pool table.

                                      

         INT. THE POOL TABLE - AFTERNOON - CLOSE ANGLE ON CHRIS AND

         MAGGIE

 

                            CHRIS

                  Maggie, are you okay?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  I’m fine. Chris, let’s get married. Soon.

                            

                            CHRIS                         Valentine’s Day is in two weeks.  How does

                  that sound?

         

                            MAGGIE

                  Perfect. 

         

         CHRIS and MAGGIE hug and kiss, briefly.  They return to          the baby shower, hand and hand. 

 

         INT. THE BRICK - AFTERNOON- ANGLE ON MICHELLE AND SHELLY

                   

                            SHELLY

                  Now, has everyone turned in their guesses?

                  Okay, Michelle here is the tape.

 

         SHELLY hands the measuring tape to MICHELLE. ANGLE SHIFTS

         FROM MICHELLE to CHRIS as he makes his announcement.

 

                            CHRIS

                  Excuse me Shelly, but I have an important

                  announcement to make.  Maggie and I are

                  going to be married on Valentine’s Day.

 

         The CAMERA PANS the baby shower GUESTS for their reaction,         then focuses on HOLLING.

         

                            HOLLING

                  This calls for a celebration.  Seems to

                  me we have a bottle of genuine French

                  champagne behind the bar.

 

         While HOLLING walks behind the bar, the guests are          congratulating CHRIS and MAGGIE. The CAMERA returns to         EVE and MARILYN.

                             

                            EVE

                   (to MARILYN)

                  Do you have your birth plan finalized

                  yet?  Are you taking Lamaze or Bradley

                  method classes for childbirth?

         

         HOLLING is pouring champagne into glasses. ANGLE on

         HOLLING.

 

                            HOLLING

                   (Raising his glass)

                  To Chris and Maggie!  I can only hope

                  that you will be as happy as Shelly and I

                  have been.

        

 

         MAURICE raises his glass.  ANGLE on MAURICE. 

                            MAURICE

                  To Maggie and Chris!  I wish you good

                  health and prosperity and the kind of

                  happiness I have come to know with

         

         MICHELLE shrieks and grabs her stomach.

 

                            MAURICE (CONT’D)

           Barbara.

 

         The CAMERA ZOOMS to MICHELLE who is gasping and very          uncomfortable.  ANGLE on PHIL, MICHELLE and ED. 

 

                            PHIL

                   (to ED)

                  Help me take Michelle to the office.

                     (to MICHELLE)

                  Honey, can you stand up? I want to take

                  you to         the office so I can do an

                  examination, okay?

 

                            MICHELLE

                  I think I can make it.

 

         MICHELLE gets up slowly with ED and PHIL helping her.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE- WAITING ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

        

         The CAMERA PANS the GUESTS who are seated in the waiting         room.  The door opens and PHIL comes out of the examining          room and approaches MAGGIE.  ANGLE on PHIL and MAGGIE.

                   

                            PHIL

                  Maggie, Can you take us to Anchorage?

                  Our baby is still in the breech position;

                  I think this is false or preterm labor,

                  but I will not take any chances with

                  Michelle and the baby.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  It’s clear, no storms are expected and

                  there’s a full moon.  Let’s go.

 

                            PHIL

                  Are you absolutely sure?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  I’m certified to fly using instruments. 

                  Rick and I used to make midnight flights

                  to Sitka regularly.  We’ll be fine.

         

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT - LATER THAT SAME EVENING

        

         ANGLE on MAGGIE’S TRUCK as she is driving into a parking          spot in front of the Brick. We HEAR CHRIS on the radio.                                

                            CHRIS (V.O.)

                  This is a dedication from Hayden Keyes to                    Marsha.  Hayden will miss you while you

                  are visiting your mother in Florida.

                            (beat)   

                  Why Hayden, you sly devil, who would have

                  thought there beat the heart of a true

                  romantic under that seemingly tough hide

                  of yours?

 

         We HEAR the song, “I’ll be Seeing You” as sung by Frank          Sinatra.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK - NIGHT - ANGLE ON MAGGIE

        

         MAGGIE is seated in the truck listening to the radio. We          continue to HEAR the song, “I’ll be Seeing You.”  When          Frank Sinatra refers to that small cafe, MAGGIE is          suddenly flooded by a montage of memories of JOEL.

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         MONTAGE:

 

         A.  The first time they met when JOEL thought MAGGIE was          propositioning him.

 

         B.  The day JOEL dared MAGGIE to punch him in the nose and     she did.

 

         C.  The day JOEL proposed marriage on the airplane.

 

         D.  MAGGIE breaking their engagement.

 

         E.  The last time MAGGIE saw JOEL and he asked her to come     to New York City and she said no.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK - NIGHT - CLOSE ANGLE ON MAGGIE

        

         MAGGIE is still seated in her truck. We continue to HEAR

         the song, “I’ll be Seeing You.”  As the song ends with

        

         “I’ll be looking at the moon, but I’ll be seeing you.”   

         MAGGIE grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes before leaving. As          she gets out of the truck, she looks up at the moon and          heads for The Brick.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. THE BRICK - NIGHT - CAMERA PANS EVENING CROWD

        

         MAGGIE has just walked in and is removing her coat.         SHELLY         rushes up to her.  ANGLE on SHELLY, HOLLING, and MAURICE.                               

                            SHELLY

                   (singing)

                  Maggie’s back from her flight.  What news

                  can you tell us of their plight? 

                  

         The CAMERA PANS the crowd reaction to SHELLY’S singing.           HOLLING comes to her side.

         

                            HOLLING

                   (to MAURICE’S relatives)

                  When Shelly is pregnant and anxious, she

                  sings. This happened with our Miranda.

 

                            MAURICE

                  Maggie, how is she?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Michelle is fine, basically.  Phil was

                  right.  As soon as we got to Anchorage,

                  she stopped her labor.  She was dilated

                  less than two centimeters.  But, the

                  baby is still in the breech position.  So

                  both Phil and the OB on call want her to                      stay.  They think she’ll have the baby              

                  very soon and so Phil naturally wants to

                  be with her.

 

                            SHELLY

                   (singing to the tune of

                    St. Louis Blues)

                  Oh, no! I hate to see Doc Capra leave

                  this town.         

                   

                            SHELLY

                  Oh, yes! I hate to see Doc Capra leave

                  this town.

                  What happens when my labor comes around?

                            (to MAURICE)

                  Oh, Maurice, what is Cicely going to do?

                  Yes, Maurice, what is Cicely going to do?

                            (MORE)

                            SHELLY (CONT’D)

                  Let’s call Dr. Joel to come for a day or

                  two.

                  I’ve got the Cicely Blues, we’re

                  Doctorless again ...

                                                           MAURICE

                   (interrupting her)

                  That’s not a bad idea Shelly.  I want

                  this weekend to be perfect.

 

         MAURICE removes his cell phone and dials information.

                                                                    MAURICE (CONT’D)          

                  Information. I am looking for a Doctor

                  Joel Fleishman, probably in Manhattan,

                  New York City.

                            

                             CUT TO:  

        

         EXT. MANHATTAN STREET - NIGHT - ANGLE ON JOEL AND ELAINE

        

         JOEL and ELAINE are walking down the street.

 

                            JOEL

                   (pointing to the moon)

                  Elaine, isn’t the moon especially

                  beautiful tonight?  I never really

                  appreciated the moon until I lived in

                  Alaska.  I remember the night I was

                  stranded and met Adam for the first time,                       there was this giant full moon.  Then

                  there was this other time the tribe

                  wanted         to adopt me and I went through

                  this purification ritual that involved

                  spending the night outside with Ed.

        

                            ELAINE

                  Joey, do you ever miss Alaska?

 

                            JOEL

                  Sometimes. While I was there, I never

                  thought I would ever miss the place, but

                  after living in Cicely for almost five

                  years, it almost became home.  I miss

                  the people...

 

                            ELAINE

                   (interrupting)

                  Should we register at Bloomingdales

                  tomorrow, before we go to Hawaii?

 

         

                            JOEL

                  Let’s wait until we come back and are

                  officially engaged.

 

         JOEL puts his arm around ELAINE and hugs her.

                   

                            JOEL (CONT’D)

                  Oh! My beeper just went off.

 

         JOEL pulls the beeper out of his pocket and reads the          number.

 

                            JOEL (CONT’D)

                  This is an amazing coincidence.  We                      were just talking about Alaska and this

                  is a message from Cicely!  Let’s go home.

                  Taxi!

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. BRICK - NIGHT- CLOSE ANGLE ON MAURICE

        

         MAURICE is speaking on his cell phone.

 

                            MAURICE

                  Joel, This is Maurice.  How are you? 

                  Let me cut to the chase.  We’re in a                           jam here in Cicely. Maggie just flew Dr.

                  Capra and Michelle to Anchorage so she

                  can have her baby by C Section. Shelly is

                  pregnant, too.  She just started singing

                  after they left.  Her baby is due next

                  month. Barbara and I are getting married

                  this weekend and we really need you.  Can

                  you help us?  Son, name your price.

                    (listens, nods, smiles)

                  Maggie         checked the airline schedule and

                  there is a red eye out of Kennedy in two

                  hours; she can pick you up in Anchorage

                  at O eight hundred hours.  Ron and Erick

                  will have a room for you at the Sourdough

                  I assure you that this will only be for a                        couple of days.  Thanks Joel.

                   (hangs up)

                  

                            SHELLY

                   (singing)

                  Maurice, thanks for what you’ve done. 

                  To fix         this problem, you were the one.

 

         

 

                  

                            MAURICE

                  Okay people, listen up!  This boy gets

                  first class treatment while he is here.

                  I have just gone to a lot of trouble and                         personal expense, I might add, to insure                      continuity of health care for Cicely. 

                  To that end, I think we should keep a lid

                  on Chris and Maggie’s wedding plans until

                  after he leaves.

                   (finger at MAGGIE)

                  Remember what happened when you broke

                  off your engagement to Joel?  Now, people,

                  we don’t want a repeat of that now, do we?

                  It will only be for a couple of days, so

                  button up those lips.  Bar dismissed!

 

 

         INT. ED’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING -  CAMERA PANS HIS ROOM

 

         ED is sleeping; he suddenly awakens to find ONE WHO WAITS

         sitting on a chair.  ANGLE on ONE WHO WAITS and ED.     

 

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                  Hi Ed. 

 

                            ED

                  You’re back.

 

         ED gets up from his bed.

 

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                  Yes, Ed.  It took a long time; but I

                  found your mother.

 

                            ED

                  Who is she?  Where is she?

 

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                  Her name is Tina Hendrix and she is a                        photographer from Sleepmute.  She will

                  be here on Sunday to photograph Maurice’s                             wedding.

 

                            ED

                  That can’t be.  At Christmas, my father

                  sent me a card.

 

         ED searches through papers on his desk.

                   

                            ED (CONT’D)

                  Here it is.  He told me that my mother’s

                  name was Chris Baker and she was from

                            (MORE)

                            ED (CONT’D)

                  Cantwell.  How do you know that Tina is

                  my mother?

 

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                  Recently, I met a woman who just came

                  over to the other side.  Her name is                           Virginia White Cloud.  She worked as a

                  delivery room nurse and remembered you.

 

                            ED

                  I don’t know what to say.

        

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                  I will see you at the wedding. 

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. ANCHORAGE AIRPORT - DAY - CAMERA PANS THE TERMINAL

        

         MAGGIE is waiting for passengers to arrive.  ANGLE on

         MAGGIE and JOEL.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Fleishman!

 

                            JOEL

                  O’Connell!

 

         MAGGIE and JOEL gaze at each other. After a few seconds,          they both speak simultaneously.

 

                            MAGGIE AND JOEL

                  How are you?

                                                                    DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. MAGGIE’S PLANE - MORNING - CLOSE ANGLE ON MAGGIE AND

         JOEL

        

         MAGGIE is piloting her plane and JOEL is sitting in the          passenger seat.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Thanks for coming.  The whole town is

                  so grateful to you for helping us out.

                                                           JOEL

                  I’m glad I could help.  You know it’s

                  been a long time.

 

                   

         

                            MAGGIE

                   (nervously)

                  Yes, it has.  So much has happened since

                  you’ve         been gone.  Mr. Bellati returned

                  to Cicely and married Marilyn.  They’re

                  going to have a baby in six months.  Ron

                  and Erick are on a waiting list to adopt. 

                  Eve is pregnant and of course you heard

                  about Shelly and Michelle last night. 

                  The big news is Maurice’s wedding to

                  Barbara.  He proposed to her right after

                  you left and it has taken this long to

                  tie the knot.  She postponed the wedding

                  date twice. I think she’s afraid to give

                  up her independence.

 

                            JOEL

                  Remind you of anyone?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  We really need for you to keep an eye

                  on Ruth-Anne.  She was recently

                  diagnosed with a heart condition. I’m

                  quite worried about her because Phil

                  made arrangements for her to have a

                  treadmill along with other kinds of

                  cardiac testing and she refused to

                  go to Anchorage for the appointment. I

                  think he prescribed some medication for

                  her, but it seems pretty serious.

                  Between you and me, I think that Maurice

                  was concerned more about her than

                  Shelly; not that he would ever admit

                  that. So, Fleishman, what’s new with you?

                    

                            JOEL

                  Well, I have an endocrinology practice,

                  but it’s mostly a weight reduction clinic.                    You’re         still flying, I see.

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Is there anyone special in your life?

 

                            JOEL

                   (looking out of the window)

                  Hey, O’Connell, isn’t that where we

                  camped when we were stranded? 

 

                            MAGGIE

                  That’s right.  You fixed my plane.

 

         

 

                            JOEL

                  That was the first and last time I’ve

                  eaten roasted squirrel. How is Ed?

 

                            MAGGIE

                  Ed was accepted into the Director’s Guild                     Apprenticeship program, but he is

                  uncertain as to whether he wants to leave

                  Cicely and pursue his directing career or

                  stay here and be a shaman. Fortunately,

                  he has until this summer to make up his

                  mind. He still works for Ruth-Anne and

                  Maurice.

                  

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         EXT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK  -  MORNING - ANGLE ON MAGGIE’S TRUCK

         

         JOEL and MAGGIE are returning to Cicely.  We HEAR

         CHRIS on the radio.

 

                            CHRIS (V.O.)

                  This is Chris in the Morning on KBHR, it

                  is Friday, January thirtieth, nineteen

                  ninety eight and the time is ten forty

                  five. At this time, the town of          Cicely   

                  would like to extend an extremely warm

                  and thankful hello to our former town doc,

                  Joel Fleishman.  This one is for you.

 

         We HEAR the song, “NEW YORK, NEW YORK,” as sung by Liza          Minelli. MAGGIE parks the truck in front of the medical          office.  JOEL departs with luggage.  MAGGIE assists.  JOEL          enters the office.

 

 

         INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY - CAMERA PANS THE PATIENTS
 

         Among the patients seated is RUTH-ANNE and WALT, SHELLY

         and HOLLING.  MARILYN is seated at her desk.  ANGLE on          MARILYN AND JOEL.

 

                   

                            JOEL

                  Hi Marilyn.

         

                            MARILYN

                  We’re almost out of urine cups.  Should I

                  order more?

 

                            JOEL

                  By all means, please do.  Looks like we

                  have a full house; I better get started.

         

         JOEL takes a stack of patient charts into the examining          room. 

                  

                            MARILYN

                  Number One. 

                                                           RUTH-ANNE

                  Walt, I guess that’s me.

 

         RUTH-ANNE exits to the examining room.

 

         INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - ANGLE ON JOEL AND RUTH-ANNE

                  

         JOEL is seated behind the desk.  RUTH-ANNE is sitting

         in a chair in front of the desk.

 

                            JOEL

                  Ruth-Anne.  I’m so glad to see you. I’ve

                  really enjoyed your commentaries on

                  National Public Radio. What brings you to

                  the office today?

 

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  Well, I haven’t been feeling so good

                  lately. I saw Dr. Capra last week and

                  he took, well, it seemed like a pint of

                  blood in a bunch of little vials and told

                  me to come back today for test results.

 

                            JOEL

                   (reviewing the chart)

                  Well, let’s see what we have here.  He

                  ran blood chemistries, serological

                  studies, and a complete blood count. 

         

         JOEL gets up from his chair and goes over to the door.

                                      

                            JOEL (CONT’D)

                  Walt, would you like to come in for

                  minute?

 

         WALT enters the office and sits in a chair next to

         RUTH-ANNE facing the desk.

 

                            JOEL

                  Ruth-Anne, I asked Walt to come in

                  because these test results are not good.

         

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  Does this have anything to do with my

                  heart?

 

                            JOEL

                  Well, not exactly.  There is a reason

                  you have felt poorly and very tired

                  lately, besides your heart condition.

                  I believe you may have a form of leukemia.

                    With further, more precise testing we

                  will know for sure what it is. Your

                  platelet count is quite abnormal as well

                  as your white         blood cell count. Now, what

                  I would recommend is that we have Marilyn                     schedule a bone marrow biopsy in

                  Anchorage next week, to confirm this

                  diagnosis.

 

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  I’ll do no such thing.  I am eighty years

                  old. If I am sick, if I am dying, I want

                  to stay right here in Cicely.  I don’t

                  want to go to         Anchorage and be surrounded

                  by strangers and there is nothing either

                  of you can say to change my mind.

                  

                                    WALT

                  Ruth-Anne, if that is how you feel than

                  it is okay by me.  But I would like to

                  ask you a question.  Something, I should

                  have asked you a long time ago.

                            

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  Yes, Walt.

 

                            WALT

                  Will you marry me? 

 

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  Oh!  What a surprise.  Yes. Walt I would

                  be most honored to marry you.     

                   

                            WALT

                  Joel, how long will it take for us to

                  get the necessary blood tests for a                           license?  I’ve waited this long to

                  propose and I want to do it by the book.

 

                            JOEL

                  Well, under these circumstances, I can

                  draw your blood now and have Maggie fly

                  the samples to Anchorage today or                    tomorrow. We should have the results by

                  next week. But, I think you should

                  pursue the biopsy; with proper treatment,

                  we can buy time and extend your life.

 

                            RUTH-ANNE

                  I feel like I’m having deja vu all over

                  again. First Dr. Capra wants me to go

                  to Anchorage for a treadmill and who

                  knows what else and now you want to

                  put me in a hospital and have a

                  biopsy.  Please Joel, bear with me;

                  I’m of sound mind and I know what

                  I am doing. Besides, I have a wedding

                  to plan.

 

                            WALT

                  How does a week from tomorrow sound?  

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON

         MARILYN

        

         MARILYN is seated at her desk, knitting. RUTH-ANNE and          WALT are departing.  RUTH-ANNE hands MARILYN the blood          samples and lab slips. 

 

                            MARILYN

                  Congratulations.  I’ll call Maggie.

         

         RUTH-ANNE and WALT depart.

                            

                            MARILYN (CONT’D)

                  Number Two.

 

         SHELLY and HOLLING rise and walk over to the office door.

 

         INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - DAY - ANGLE ON JOEL

         

                            JOEL

                  Shelly and Holling.  It is so good to

                  see you.  How is Miranda? What brings you

                  here today?  

 

                            HOLLING

                  I am speaking for Shelly because she

                  started singing last night.  Dr. Capra

                  wanted her to be examined every Friday

                  now that we’re in the home stretch.

 

                            JOEL

                  Other than singing, which seems to be one

                  of Shelly’s idiosyncracies, has the

                  pregnancy been going well?

                            (MORE)

        

 

                            JOEL (CONT’D)

                   (motioning to Shelly)

                  Why don’t you sit on the table and we’ll

                  take a listen.

 

         JOEL unwraps a portable fetal monitor device.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Actually, Dr. F, I’ve been just fine.

 

                            HOLLING

                  Shelly, you’ve stopped singing!

                   (hugs SHELLY)

 

                            JOEL

                  I wish I could cure all of my patients

                  this easily! Have you had a sonogram? An                          ultrasound test?

 

                            SHELLY

                  Yes.  Maggie flew us to Anchorage and we

                  had the test done.  I had to drink a half

                  gallon of water and just when I thought

                  I was going to pee in my pants, they

                  snapped the photos.  The little pooper is

                  going to be a boy!  We’re going to name

                  him Jared.  He’s due February fifteenth. 

 

                            JOEL

                  Well, Shelly, as you know, due dates are

                  at best an approximation.  Remember Miranda?

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY  - LATER THAT MORNING - ANGLE ON

         MARILYN AND MAGGIE

        

         The waiting room is empty.  MAGGIE is standing next to          MARILYN’S desk.  MARILYN hands her a small box with the          blood samples in it.

         

                            MAGGIE

                  I hadn’t even thought of blood tests and

                  a license yet.  I don’t think Maurice

                  would like Fleishman to draw our blood

                  samples.

                            

                            MARILYN

                  The lab in Anchorage can draw your

                  blood and run         the test.

 

         The door of the office opens and JOEL walks out, holding          medical charts.  MAGGIE quickly rushes out the door.

 

                            JOEL

                  So, you married Mr. Bellati.  What was

                  his real name?

        

                            MARILYN

                  Bob. Bob Wilson.

         

                            JOEL

                  He’s no longer the flying man in the

                  circus?

 

                            MARILYN

                  He gave it up, like King Edward the

                  Seventh and Mrs. Simpson.

 

                            JOEL

                  For the woman he loved.  What happened

                  with Ted?  I thought you two were a

                  steady item?

        

                            MARILYN            

                  It wasn’t right. You shouldn’t marry

                  someone because other people think you

                  should.

         

                             DISSOLVE TO:

           

         INT. RUTH-ANNE’S STORE - MORNING - ANGLE ON ED

        

         ED is working behind the counter at the cash register.

         He is ringing up a sale for HAYDEN KEYES.

 

                            ED

                  Instant Mashed Potatoes, Apple Sauce,

                  Tapioca Pudding, Macaroni and Cheese.

                  Will that be all?

 

                            HAYDEN   

                  For today.  I can’t wait until Marsha

                  comes home. Can you put this on my tab?

 

                            ED

                  Sure can, Hayden. 

 

         HAYDEN exits the store as RAYNALDO PINETREE enters.

 

                            RAYNALDO

                  Good news Ed. I think I solved the

                  mystery of your mother.

                   

                            ED

                  Boy, did you work fast.

          

                            RAYNALDO

                  Well, it was really pretty easy with

                  those two names you gave me.

                    (opens a file folder.)

                  This is a copy of a birth certificate

                  from about the time you were born. The

                  mother’s name is Chris Baker.  Here is a

                  copy of a marriage license from fifteen

                  years ago. Tina Baker married Jim Hendrix

                  in Sleepmute.  So, I called in a favor

                  from one of my contacts in Sleepmute

                  and he determined that Tina is also

                  called Christina and she is a wedding                      photographer.  My guess is that she was

                  called Chris in high school.  Therefore,

                  I think I can confirm your source’s

                  information.

 

                            ED

                  Well, alright!  I knew you would find her.

                  Tomorrow is the wedding.  I don’t know

                  who will be more nervous, Maurice,

                  Barbara or me.

                                                                    DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. THE BRICK - NIGHT - THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD

        

         The Brick is crowded.  MAURICE’S relatives are seated next         to BARBARA.  SHELLY is taking a tray of drinks to a table.

         HOLLING is behind the bar pouring a drink.  CAL is          seated at a two person table in the center of the main          room.  MAGGIE, CHRIS and DEBBIE enter The Brick.  DEBBIE          is BARBARA’S identical twin sister.  She is very stylishly          dressed and has a number of suitcases which are being          carried by MAGGIE and CHRIS. We HEAR the radio playing          “Some Enchanted Evening.”  The Brick is fairly noisy.

         ANGLE on BARBARA, MAURICE, and DEBBIE.

                                                           BARBARA

                  Maurice, I would like you to meet my

                  sister         Debbie.  Debbie, this is Maurice.

 

                            MAURICE

                  At last we meet.  I’ve been waiting so

                  long for this opportunity. Debbie, I

                  would like you to meet my son, Duk Won

                  and his wife Soon Ae. Debbie works as a                            photography editor for a fashion magazine

                  in New York City.

 

         SHELLY sees DEBBIE and rushes over to her.

 

                            SHELLY

                  So you’re Debbie. I’m Shelly, your fellow                      bridesmaid.  I’m so very pleased to meet

                  you. Tell me what is the latest scoop on

                  the hot colors for Spring? Have you met

                  Cindy Crawford? What is she really like?

                  What is your maid of honor dress like?

                  Mine is kind of lame on account of being

                  knocked up.

 

         As DEBBIE is about to answer, she is struck by CAL who

         is seated by himself at a small table. 

         

                            DEBBIE                                   Well Shelly, I don’t actually go out on

                  many photo shoots.  I am usually stuck

                  in the office. Please, excuse me.

 

         Distracted by her attraction to CAL, DEBBIE walks toward

         his table. We HEAR the crowd noise soften considerably.

         The music is louder.  The CAMERA FOLLOWS DEBBIE.  

 

                            DEBBIE (CONT’D)

                  You must be Cal.  I’m Debbie.

                  

         DEBBIE offers her hand. CAL is similarly struck by DEBBIE,

         he rises to greet her and takes her hand. CLOSE ANGLE on

         DEBBIE and CAL.

 

                            CAL

                  I never knew Officer Semanski had a

                  twin sister.          Please, sit down.

 

         DEBBIE and CAl sit down and are transfixed by the other.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. KBHR STUDIO - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY - ANGLE ON CHRIS

 

                            CHRIS

                  Good morning Cicelians.  It is Sunday,

                  February first and in two hours we are

                  going to have a wedding! I know this

                  selection isn’t terribly original, but,

                  it just seems so right.

 

         CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console. We HEAR          “GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME” during the following SERIES          OF SHOTS.

                                                                    DISSOLVE TO:

 

         SERIES OF SHOTS:

        

         A. DEBBIE zipping the back of BARBARA’S wedding dress.

 

         B. RON and ERICK arranging flowers in the church.

 

         C. CAL tuning his violin.

 

         D. MAURICE tying his tie.

 

         E. SHELLY brushing MIRANDA’S hair.

 

         F. ADAM, chopping onions while being assisted by MR.       BELLATI and EUGENE who are bustling in MAURICE’S                        kitchen.

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. SHELLY AND HOLLING’S LIVING ROOM - DAY - ANGLE ON          SHELLY   

 

                            SHELLY

                   (putting on her coat)

                  Holling, I’m going over to put a load of                     washing in the dryer before the wedding.                    Okay, Babe?  Keep an eye on Randi.  I

                  don’t want her to mess up her dress.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. LAUNDROMAT - DAY - FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON          JARED

        

         SHELLY enters the laundromat and notices a young man          sorting socks and underwear into piles. A suitcase

         is nearby.  ANGLE on SHELLY and JARED.

          

                            SHELLY

                  Hi! Are you new in town?

 

                            JARED

                  No, Mam.  I’ve lived here all of my life,

                  except for college; I went to UCLA.  My

                  name is Jared.

                  

         JARED offers his hand.  SHELLY shakes his hand. She

         walks over to the washer and starts to put the laundry

         in a basket.

                   

                            SHELLY

                  Excuse me for being so nosy, but do you

                  like your name? When this baby is born

                  we plan to name him Jared. 

 

                            JARED

                  It’s an okay name.  I’m awfully glad that

                  my name is Jared Maurice and not Maurice

                  Jared.                                                                                   SHELLY

                  Are you going someplace?

 

                            JARED

                  Today, I’ll be leaving Cicely for

                  Florida. Spring Training, with the

                  Dodgers.

 

                            SHELLY

                  You’re a baseball player.  That’s cool.

                  What position do you play? 

 

                            JARED

                  Left Handed Pitcher.

 

                            SHELLY

                  How does your family feel about this?

 

                            JARED

                  Well, my Dad is no longer living. But I

                  think he’d be happy.  He wasn’t much of

                  an athlete. He never showed me how to

                  throw a fastball or hit a hanging           

                  curveball, but he was always there

                  whenever I had a game.  He was so

                  encouraging and I really miss him.

                     

                            SHELLY

                  What about your mom? 

 

                            JARED

                  Mom is just great. My number one

                  cheerleader.          You know she came down to

                  LA for my graduation and the guys thought

                  she was my older sister, Randi.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Oh.

 

                            JARED

                  Well, I better get going.

                   (walks to the door)

                  It was nice meeting you.

 

                            SHELLY

                  Good Luck.  I hope you make the team!

                   (beat, then loudly)

                  Wait a minute, when is your birthday?

 

         JARED is already out the door and doesn’t answer her.              As SHELLY finishes loading the dryer, she has tears in

         her eyes.           

                            

                             DISSOLVE TO:

                                                INT. THE CHURCH - DAY - ANGLE ON ED, TINA AND ONE WHO          WAITS     

        

         ED is helping TINA with her camera equipment.  ONE WHO          WAITS is standing nearby observing.

 

                            TINA

                  Thanks Ed.  I really appreciate your

                  help with this tripod.

 

                            ED

                  What kind of film are you planning on

                  shooting?

 

                            TINA

                  400 ASA

                  

                            ED

                  A good choice.

 

                            TINA

                  Do you take photographs?

 

                            ED

                  Not still photographs.  I shoot movies.

        

                            ONE WHO WAITS

                            (to ED)

                  Ed.  Ask her if she is your mother.

 

                            ED

                   (whispering)

                  I can’t. I have to work up my nerve.

 

                            TINA

                  Did you say something?

 

                            ED

                  Yes.  Would you like me to load film for

                  you?

                                      

                            TINA

                  Sure. That would be just great. Thanks.

 

                                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. CHURCH  THE WEDDING - DAY - THE CAMERA PANS THE

         CHURCH

        

         CHRIS is standing at the altar.  CAL is finishing a lovely

         violin solo. Both HOLLING, DUK WON, and MAURICE are          wearing formal clothing.

 

         We HEAR the Wedding Processional, as performed by a String          Quartet, begin with the various members of the bridal          party entering the church.  First, MIRANDA and ALDRICH as          the flower girl and ring bearer. Next comes SHELLY and          later, DEBBIE. As BARBARA enters the church, the guests          rise and are impressed by how lovely she looks in her          wedding dress. MAURICE is beaming. He is flanked by          HOLLING, his best man. TINA is snapping pictures.  ANGLE          on CHRIS. 

 

                            CHRIS

                  Welcome family, friends and honored

                  guests. It is with great pleasure that

                  I invite you to witness this wedding

                  ceremony between Barbara Semanski and

                  Maurice Minnifield. At such a glorious

                  occasion as this, I am reminded of the

                  advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson as

                 recorded in his poem, Give all to Love.

 

                  Give all to love;

                  Obey thy heart;

                  Friends, kindred, days,

                  Estate, good fame

                  Plans, credit and the muse

                  Nothing refuse.

                  Tis a brave master;

                  Let it have scope

                  Follow it utterly,

                   

         We suddenly HEAR a very loud shriek coming from SHELLY.

                  

                            CHRIS (CONT’D) 

                  Hope beyond hope.

                                                The CAMERA ZOOMS from CHRIS to SHELLY who is doubled over          and gasping.  JOEL, who was in attendance rushes to the          altar to assist SHELLY.  ANGLE ON SHELLY and JOEL.

        

                            SHELLY

                  Dr. F.  The baby is coming.  Real soon.

                  I can’t leave. Maurice, I’m so sorry!

                  

         

        

                            JOEL

                  Excuse me Chris,  I think we should clear

                  the church.  Marilyn, can you bring me

                  the obstetrics kit.  Holling, do you

                  remember your childbirth coaching duties?  

                  

                            ED

                  I’ll get my camera. 

                                      

                            MAURICE

                   (to BARBARA)

                  Just once. Just once I would like to see

                  us get through a wedding without an                          interruption.  We might as well go over

                  to the Brick and cool our heels there.

 

                             DISSOLVE TO:

 

         INT. MAURICE’S KITCHEN - DAY- CAMERA PANS THE THREE COOKS 

        

         ADAM, MR. BELLATI, and EUGENE are preparing the wedding

         luncheon.  ANGLE on ADAM.

         

                            ADAM

                  Eve.  What have you done to me?  Why am I

                  here in this geographical ice box? I

                  should         be in the south of France,

                  preparing haute cuisine, instead I’m in