_A NORTHERN EXPOSURE VALENTINE: TO THE BETTER END

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.

You’re back.

ED gets up from his bed.

ONE WHO WAITS

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

found your mother.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Sure can, Hayden.

HAYDEN exits the store as RAYNALDO PINETREE enters.

RAYNALDO

Good news Ed. I think I solved the

mystery of your mother.

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.

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.

What kind of film are you planning on

shooting?

TINA

400 ASA

A good choice.

TINA

Do you take photographs?

Not still photographs. I shoot movies.

ONE WHO WAITS

(to ED)

Ed. Ask her if she is your mother.

(whispering)

I can’t. I have to work up my nerve.

TINA

Did you say something?

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?

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