My Girl 2
By Janet Kovalcik
SETTING: MADISON, PENNYSYLVANIA 1974
CLOSE-UP OF VADA SULTENFUSS' FACE
VADA
I remember before I was born, wounded up like
a fur ball in the highly overrated fetal
position, luckily I'm not claustrophobic, but
on rainy days I still feel a tightness in my
left shoulder. So now that my stepmother's
pregnant, I understand what the baby's going
through, and I'm not jealous at all, really,
not at all.
VIEW OF THE SULTENFUSS' DINING ROOM TABLE. VADA, HARRY AND
SHELLY ARE SEATED. SHELLY IS VERY PREGNANT
HARRY
Hey you're not eating your meatloaf.
SHELLY
If I eat it I'll throw up.
HARRY
Well you should at least try a little bit.
SHELLY
Then I'll throw up a little bit.
VADA
(to Shelly's stomach)
Are you sure you wanna get involved in this?
OUTSIDE SULTENFUSS' HOUSE, MUSIC IS PLAYING OUR HOUSE,
INSIDE HARRY IS SINGING
HARRY
...windows are illuminated by the evening
sunshine through them firey gems for you, only
for you, our house, is a very, very, very fine
house, with two cats in the yard, life used to
be so hard, now everything is easy 'cause of
you...
Harry walks to Vada who is placing chairs in rows in the
funeral room
HARRY
Vada, try to scrunch these chairs together a
little more.
VADA
Dad, I'm trying. The chairs, they won't
scrunch.
Doorbell rings
ARTHUR
I'll get it.
HARRY
Well I guess we'll just set up more chairs in
the library and pipe the sermon in like we did
with Old Man Hasselmeyer.
VADA
Better fix that speaker, it makes the
minister sound like an astronaut.
Arthur opens the front door to reveal Judy
ARTHUR
Oh, hello Judy.
JUDY
Hi Arthur.
Harry walks past
HARRY
Hi Judy, come on in.
JUDY
Hi Mr. Sultenfuss.
ARTHUR
(to Vada)
Look who I found.
VADA
Hi Judy!
Judy doesn't enter the funeral room. She doesn't like the
idea of being anywhere near a corpse
JUDY
(nervous)
Hi.
VADA
Come on in!
JUDY
That's okay.
VADA
It's just a corpse.
JUDY
I know that.
VADA
You should be here when they bring in a body
that's been dead for a couple of days, and
they haven't found it yet, 'cause it was in an
apartment, and no-one came to visit, or
floating in a river, and then the body starts
turning this weird shade of green, you know,
like watery pea soup? The arms and legs
deteriorate first, the body looks like a
raisin with four fat legs. Anyway, this is why
I'm seriously considering cremation. Judy??
front door closes
Judy???
ARTHUR
I think you lost on the raisin with the four
fat legs honey.
LIVING ROOM, HARRY AND SHELLY ARE SITTING WATCHING TV, VADA
GETS A DRINK AND JOINS THEM
Harry and Shelly are laughing
HARRY
I got a card from your Uncle Phil in Los
Angeles today, said he went body surfing.
VADA
I don't know if I can picture Uncle Phil body
surfing.
SHELLY
I don't know if I want to.
HARRY
Vada I wanna ask you a favor, remember you
can absolutely say no if you want to.
Shelly gives Harry a look
I'm just bringing it up for discussion.
SHELLY
But Harry, I thought we decided we weren't
gonna do this.
Vada looks confused
VADA
Do what?
HARRY
Well the thing is your room is right next
door to ours, and so we thought, well, I
thought, if you were willing we might move you
to Grammoo's room, and use your old room for
the nursery. See we're gonna be up half the
night with a newborn and there'll be a lot of
noise....
VADA
You want me to move?
HARRY
Well not far, just down the hall. Plus
Grammoo's room's a lot bigger, and you get a
view of the whole neighborhood.
Vada looks a little put out
VADA
Okay, no problem.
HARRY
Okay thanks, atta girl.
OUTSIDE, ON THE DECK, HARRY IS PLAYING HIS TUBA, SHELLY
COMES OUT
SHELLY
(at the door)
Harry?
(closer, a little louder)
HARRY??
(in Harry's ear)
*HARRY*!!!!
Harry gets a fright and blows a foul note
I'm sorry to interrupt honey but Vada's
upset.
HARRY
Oh, she's fine, she'll love her new room.
SHELLY
Look we react to every kick this baby gives,
maybe Vada's trying to tell us something too.
BOWLING ALLEY, VADA AND HARRY ARE BOWLING, CLOSE UP OF
HARRY HOLDING UP HIS BALL
HARRY
The thing to remember is you must visualize a
spare. The parabola of the arcing ball must
intersect with the pyramid of the pins at
precisely this angle of attack.
Harry bowls his ball, which goes straight into the side
ditch
Shit.
Harry walks back to Vada
VADA
Visualize a spare?
HARRY
Well you know what I mean.
VADA
So, what's on your mind?
HARRY
Me? What makes you think there's something on
my mind?
VADA
You're passing up Archie Bunker to go
bowling, you've gotta have an angle.
HARRY
No, I just thought it'd be nice if the two of
us had an evening out so we could... talk.
Vada stands up and picks up a ball
VADA
Shelly's already told me all about sex.
HARRY
She told me too, I mean, she told me she told
you about sex, I personally new about sex long
before I met Shelly.
VADA
I figured you did.
Vada bowls her ball and gets a perfect strike
VADA
Yes!
Vada returns and sits down
HARRY
Ahh, strike, not, not bad at all. No, this
talk isn't about sex, it's, well there've been
a lot of changes, and I know you're upset
about losing your room, but the baby's gotta
go somewhere.
VADA
No it's okay, I understand, really.
HARRY
Honey that's very mature, I'm proud of you
Vada.
Harry then gets up to bowl again
VADA
Maybe I should just move to China. One kid
per family, that way you don't lose your room.
HARRY
Hey, why don't you just keep your room and
we'll put the baby in the back yard.
VADA
Don't do that, you've got the whole garage.
HARRY
Oh yeah, right-between the power mower and
the weed killer.
VADA
Dad I'm kidding, you can have the room.
HARRY
Seriously?
VADA
Seriously.
HARRY
Great.
Harry stands poised to bowl...
VADA
I'm thirteen, maybe it's about time I got my
own apartment.
THUD, Harry drops his ball and turns around looking
staggered, then sees that Vada is definitely kidding
VADA AND JUDY ARE IN A SHOP SMELLING PERFUMES
JUDY
My mother can't have any more kids.
VADA
Neither can mine. She's dead. It's Shelly
who's pregnant.
JUDY
(raising wrist to Vada's nose)
What do you think?
Vada smells Judy's wrist
VADA
I think I'm leaning towards passionflower, it
combines the traditional floral scent with the
musty aroma of samba wood.
a group of teenage guys enter the shop
VADA
What are you staring at?
JUDY
It's Kevin, I don't want him to see me.
VADA
See you? He can smell you from there.
JUDY
Oh God, he's coming over here, act natural,
totally natural.
Vada and Judy stand close to a rack of sunglasses, Kevin
and his two friends approach
JUDY
(looks at Kevin with a large smile,
and slowly takes her sunglasses off)
Hi Kevin.
KEVIN
Hi.
Vada turns around wearing sunglasses with ENORMOUS lenses
KEVIN
(to Vada)
Real cool Sultenfuss, you look like a
grasshopper.
His group of friends laugh and move off
VADA
What's the matter?
JUDY
He likes you.
VADA
Likes me? He said I looked like a
grasshopper.
JUDY
Boys always pretend they hate you when they
really like you.
VADA
That's ridiculous, so, if you really can't
stand someone, then you pretend that you're
really crazy about them?
JUDY
I don't know. And I don't care, Kevin's a
jerk and I don't like him anymore. He's all
yours!
VADA'S THOUGHTS
If grasshopper is a term of endearment, I've
got a lot to learn.
BEDROOM IN SULTENFUSS' HOUSE, ARTHUR, SHELLY, HARRY AND
VADA ARE MOVING AROUND DOING VARIOUS THINGS
ARTHUR
So have you guys thought of any new names for
the baby?
Vada looks annoyed and drops with a thud the load of books
she is carrying
SHELLY
Umm, yeah, if it's a girl I'm kinda leaning
toward Esme.
ARTHUR
Esme?
HARRY
Yeah, you know that kinda sounds like a noise
your nose makes,
(nasalised)
es-MEH. I mean it's...
ARTHUR
And what if it's a boy?
HARRY
Oh Harry Junior of course.
VADA
Dad, when a boy likes you, does he pretend
that he doesn't like you? And if he pretends
that he doesn't like you how can you tell that
he likes you?
HARRY
What boy likes you?
VADA
It's just a question, it's not about anybody.
ARTHUR
Uh oh, here comes puberty.
SHELLY
Vada, I think what you're talking about is
the fear of rejection. You see men will do
anything to avoid looking foolish.
HARRY
Oh, Shell, that's ridiculous, where are my
needle nosed pliers?
SHELLY
Listen, if a boy wants to do homework with
you, it really means he didn't have nerve to
ask you out on a date, so you'll get your
homework together and pretend to be studying,
and the next thing you know you're ordering
pizza and talking about your favorite movie
stars.
VADA
So you're saying...What are you saying??
HARRY
Honey, ahh, guys don't wanna appear over
anxious, so if you think there's a boy that
might like you, let him know that you like
him, so he won't feel he's taking such a risk
when he's thinking of asking you out.
Okay?
OUTSIDE, VADA IS RIDING HER BIKE DOWN THE PAVEMENT AND
ARRIVES AT JUDY'S HOUSE
Vada presses the doorbell, Judy opens the door
JUDY
Hi.
VADA
Hi, wanna help me pick out wallpaper for my
new room tomorrow?
JUDY
ehh...I don't know I mean....
Kevin appears from inside the house holding a carton of
juice
KEVIN
Is it okay if I drink this?
VADA
It's okay with me, hi Kevin.
KEVIN
Well if it isn't Vada, the grasshopper girl.
JUDY
Stop it Kevin.
KEVIN
I was kidding, it's a joke okay.
JUDY
We were just doing our homework and studying
for the test.
VADA
And the next thing you know you're gonna be
ordering pizza and talking about your favorite
movie stars. See ya.
Vada gets on her bike and rides off
VADA'S THOUGHTS
In the future I think I'll stick to asking
Dad for advice on embalming.
VADA IS CLIMBING THE STAIRS COMING TOWARD THE CAMERA, SHE
HEARS SHELLY SINGING "BABY LOVE" AND HARRY PLAYING THE TUBA
IN A BEDROOM AND ENTERS
SHELLY
Baby, Baby, Baby love, my baby love, I need
you oh how I need you, why do you do me like
you do, haven't I been good to you, so deep in
love with you, Baby, Baby.
I read an article that says if you sing to
the baby it's a calming influence.
VADA
Assuming the baby's a "Supremes" fan.
SHELLY
I bet your mom sang to you.
HARRY
Well if there was an article about it I'm
sure she did. She was always reading.
SHELLY
Yes I know, it runs in the family.
(to Vada)
New book?
VADA
The Collected Works of Alfred Biedermeyer
HARRY
Her favorite poet.
SHELLY
(shaking head)
Never heard of him.
(burp}
Excuse me.
HARRY
How about a nice glass of milk?
SHELLY
And some taco chips so I can dunk.
Harry leaves, and Shelly leans forward to talk to Vada
SHELLY
You know Vada, being an older sister, you're
gonna be very important in this baby's life.
Vada's glance shifts onto Shelly's enlarged breasts, she
smiles, a little embarrassed, Shelly looks down at them and
laughs
SHELLY
They're enormous, I know.
VADA
Is there milk in them already?
SHELLY
No, the milk comes when the baby comes.
VADA
When did you umm, I mean umm...
SHELLY
Oh, I was a very late developer, they used to
call me "Shelly Two Backs". All my friends had
real bra's, not like the training ones I had.
VADA
Why do they call them training bra's? It's
not like learning to ride a bike.
SHELLY
I know, I guess it's just sort of preparing
you for the rest of your life. It's not easy
being a woman.
VADA
You're telling me.
VADA'S ROOM, BOXES EVERYWHERE, VADA IS LYING ON HER BED
THINKING TO HERSELF
VADA'S THOUGHTS
All the great writers pondered the meaning of
life and death. I've been thinking a lot about
my mother recently, even though I don't have
any memories of her. I wish I could see her
just once, even if it were only in a dream. I
know she'd help me figure things out.
VADA'S ENGLISH CLASS AT SCHOOL
MR. OWETT
Bless me now with your fierce tears I pray,
do not go gentle into that good night, rage,
rage against the dying of the light.
What do you think Dylan Thomas is saying
here? "Rage against the dying of the light."
KEVIN
He's mad 'cause they shut-off his
electricity.
class laughs
MR. OWETT
I think he was referring to life energy Mr.
Phillips, which in your case wouldn't cause
much of a power shortage, now would it?
class goes "oooohh", Vada then raises her hand
MR. OWETT
Vada?
VADA
The poem is really about attitude. It's about
not giving up and...it's easy to be
overwhelmed sometimes but...that's when we
should...force ourselves to push on.
Alfred Biedermeyer said, "To heed the urgent
inner voice, embracing destiny, not choice".
MR. OWETT
That's very good Vada. All right, moving on,
I want to give you guys a chance to write.
class does an "awe man"
Hey, hey, hey, listen up, I want you to write
about someone very special, someone
interesting, someone you admire, someone who
has achieved something worth writing about,
but it's gotta be a stranger, someone you've
never met, I want you to investigate the
personal side, play Perry Mason, see what you
can come up with. All right? Any ideas?
Remember two things: Someone who has achieved
something and someone you have never met.
Kevin raises his hand
Kevin?
KEVIN
Elvis, the king.
MR. OWETT
Elvis, the king.
another guy raises his hand
Devon?
DEVON
Farrah Fawcet, I love to watch that girl run.
MR. OWETT
Why is that Mr. Reid?
Devon
...never mind.
class laughs
MR. OWETT
Vada what about you, who have you come up
with?
VADA
My mother.
MR. OWETT
Your mother?
VADA
I never met my mother.
VADA, HARRY AND SHELLY ARE WALKING DOWN TOWN TALKING
VADA
I know my mom's favorite color was pink, and
she ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches
for breakfast, but that's not what I would
call hard hammered facts.
HARRY
I told you about the pumpkin didn't I?
SHELLY
No.
HARRY
Ah, well, I bought her this huge pumpkin for
Halloween, but she couldn't bear to carve it
so she saved it for weeks, and it ended up
under the Christmas tree.
VADA
Then Grammoo said on Christmas Eve, there was
this sickening smell permeating the entire
house.
SHELLY
Oh no.
HARRY
Yeah when I picked it up it sort of exploded
and liquefied at the same time.
Shelly laughs
It wasn't funny, it soaked clear through
Grammoo's oriental.
VADA
There's still a big spot on the floor.
INSIDE A GENERAL STORE, VADA, SHELLY AND HARRY ENTER
HARRY
Okay, we need wallpaper paste.
(to shop owner)
Hey Cece!
VADA
Oh, is there anything else you remember, how
did you propose? Was it romantic?
HARRY
Well, I kinda just blurted it out over a root
beer float.
SHELLY
Mmmmmm. Root beer float that sounds good.
VADA
Did she mention any contests that she won? I
mean she must have had some awards, she was so
talented and all.
HARRY
She was talented, but honey I wish I could
help you a little more, it's just that your
mother and I had kind of a whirlwind
courtship, she came to town with this
traveling theater group, I proposed on our
second date, two weeks later we were married
and almost nine months later you were here and
she was gone.
VADA
Was it a nice funeral?
HARRY
Oh yes, lovely funeral, Gernaldi brothers did
a beautiful job, lots of pink roses...I used
the white hearse. Hey, how about this flowered
wallpaper for your room?
Vada pulls out a roll of pitch black wallpaper and shows it
to Harry
VADA
How about this?
AT SCHOOL, VADA IS WALKING DOWN CROWDED STAIRS BEHIND MR.
OWETT
VADA
Hi Mr. Owett.
MR. OWETT
Hey Vada. How's your report coming?
VADA
Great, I have so much to say, I hardly know
where to start.
MR. OWETT
You know I've been re-reading Virginia Woolf,
I think she'd be a natural for you, she led a
fascinating life.
VADA
Thanks, but I think I'm gonna stick to my
mom, she led a fascinating life too.
MR. OWETT
I'm sure she did.
(to Judy and Kevin, who are standing
near Vada)
Hey guys.
KEVIN
Vada, he was giving you an easy out so you
wouldn't have to write about your mother.
VADA
But I wanna write about her.
KEVIN
You're crazy, what was her big achievement?
Did she invent gravity?
VADA
No-one invented gravity, it just exists.
JUDY
Then what did she do?
VADA
Well...I'm not supposed to talk about it, but
since I'm gonna write about it I might as well
tell you. She was a spy against the Russians.
KEVIN
Oh please, who do you think you're kidding?
And where did she spy on the Russians from,
here in Pennsylvania??
VADA
No, not here in Pennsylvania, she went to
Russia undercover with her acting troupe and
got a lot of highly sensitive secret plans
sent back. Just when she was about to go home,
she got caught, and they killed her.
KEVIN
All right, so when did she have you between
all her acting and spying and getting caught?
VADA
That's simple. She was pregnant with
me...when she went to Russia and she didn't
know...and then when the Russians found out,
they waited to shoot her 'cause you're not
allowed to kill pregnant women anywhere in the
world.
JUDY
So she had you in jail, in Russia?
VADA
Well actually I was born in Siberia and then
they shot her and sent me home to my Dad.
KEVIN
Vada, if bullshit wore a bra, you'd be topic.
Come on Judy.
Kevin and Judy walk off
VADA
Ohh...ask anyone, ask my Dad!
(pause)
Could be true.
Vada goes to her locker and opens it, exchanging books
VADA'S THOUGHTS
How come guys talk so much when they have
nothing to say, and girls have plenty to say,
but no-one will listen.
VIEW OF RUG ON FLOOR OF SULTENFUSS' LIVING ROOM, VADA LIFTS
UP THE RUG AND EXPOSES THE LARGE BLACK PATCH THAT THE
PUMPKIN LEFT SHOWING SHELLY
VADA
I used to come down here and sleep on this
spot when I was little.
My report is gonna be a disaster, everything
I know about her fits into one little box.
SHELLY
A box?
TOP VIEW OF BOX, VADA AND SHELLY ARE SITTING ON A BED
LOOKING THROUGH IT
SHELLY
Oh Vada, what a sweet baby book!
VADA
It's only filled out to page two. I was eight
pounds, four ounces.
(looking further in box)
There's so many programs, she was in a lot of
plays.
Dad said that when she was on stage, she held
the audience in the palm of her hand.
SHELLY
(looking at a small brown paper bag)
What's this? December 8th, 1958?
VADA
I don't know, Dad doesn't either.
SHELLY
Well, it must mean something. She was
obviously very sentimental.
VADA
(as Shelly pulls out a passport)
This is one of my favorite things, her
passport.
SHELLY
(looking at the photo)
Oh Vada she's so beautiful.
Margaret Ann Muldovan, Born in Los Angeles,
California, February 7th 1936. Aquarius.
VADA
Margaret's my middle name, but everybody
called her Maggie. Los Angeles, have you ever
been there?
SHELLY
No. You know they say, that it never rains,
that you can barbecue on Christmas
day...instead of riding your bike, you just
surf over to your friends house. Oh, and the
place is just crawling with celebrities. I
know someone who saw Walter Matthau picking up
his dry-cleaning.
VADA
Is that why Uncle Phil moved there?
SHELLY
Uncle Phil just needed a change, a little
adventure.
VADA
I wonder why she got a passport if she never
went anywhere.
SHELLY
Well you've gotta be prepared.
VADA
I'm definitely traveling some day.
Shelly gets an idea
SHELLY
Why not now?
VADA
What do you mean?
SHELLY
How would you like to go visit your Uncle
Phil in Los Angeles...next week during your
spring vacation, you could do research on your
mom.
VADA
But what about you and the baby? You need me.
SHELLY
Oh, but I'm not due to have the baby for
another six weeks or so.
VADA
Yeah, it would be kinda great.
SHELLY
It would be fantastic.
VADA
But Dad'll never go for it.
SHELLY
You leave your father to me.
FOYER OF SULTENFUSS' HOUSE, HARRY AND SHELLY ENTER THROUGH
A DOOR ARGUING
SHELLY
We should encourage her to spread her wings.
HARRY
She can spread her wings, right here in
Pennsylvania. You don't send a child alone to
Los Angeles, she could come back with her ears
pierced, her legs shaved and God knows what
else.
SHELLY
She is not a child Harry, she is a young
woman, she's on the brink of...
HARRY
Disaster, disaster lurks behind every
(hesitates)
palm tree.
SHELLY
You're being narrow-minded.
Harry begins to move up the stairs
HARRY
Look, maybe when she's a little older, I'd be
more then happy to bring up...
Vada approaches from upstairs
(to Vada)
Ohh...Hi Vada, we were just having a
little....
VADA
You were just having a fight about me.
Wouldn't you like to hear my opinion?
HARRY
Of course.
VADA
I think that if I'm old enough to accept a
new baby, and if I'm old enough to accept a
new room, I'm old enough to go to California.
HARRY
Honey I know it's fun to think about these
things but....
VADA
I already bought a ticket.
HARRY
What??
VADA
I used my own money and got a great deal,
it's a Q47NR five day fare, which means that I
have to change planes in Dallas and stay over
a Saturday.
There's no exchanges or refunds, so...if you
don't let me go then I will have wasted my
entire life savings.
HARRY
Ah, uh, uh, bu...but...but I... I... Isn't it
against the law to sell airline tickets to
minors?
Harry looks at Shelly, who looks guilty
Don't tell me you aided and abetted this
little scheme?
SHELLY
Well, Vada needed me.
Vada leaves the room
Besides the airline requires the signature of
an adult.
HARRY
Yeah and they forgot to ask for one who
wasn't having hormone surges.
SHELLY
Oh come on Harry, we're talking about five
days here.
HARRY
I really think we're going overboard for just
a simple school assignment.
VADA IS BACK IN LIVING ROOM, RUBBING HER HAND ON THE
PUMPKIN STAIN SPOT, WE CAN HEAR HARRY AND SHELLY IN THE
BACKGROUND
SHELLY
But it's not a little school assignment. I
think maybe all of this is happening for a
reason.
HARRY
Reason? What reason?
VADA LIES DOWN AND PUTS HER HEAD ON THE SPOT
SHELLY
Phil's moving to LA, Grammoo's passing, the
baby being born, Vada's report, I think...
CAMERA IS BACK ON SHELLY AND HARRY
...maybe all of these are signs, signs that
it's time for Vada to take this trip.
HARRY
Signs. OOOOOOOOOOOH, let me get the loch ness
monster on the phone, you two have a lot to
talk about. No, I'm sorry, Vada is NOT going
to Los Angeles, now I have made my decision
and that is final.
AT THE AIRPORT, VADA AND HARRY ARE WALKING OUT TOWARDS THE
CHECK IN DESK
HARRY
And remember don't talk to anyone, even if a
nun sits next to you, don't talk to her.
VADA
No nuns, got it.
HARRY
And no boys, promise me, oh those LA people
are all so corrupt you'll end up pregnant and
on drugs...and don't come running to me when
you wake up in the city morgue with a tag on
your toe having been beaten up into an
unrecognizable pulp by some surfer...and DON'T
make eye contact, it communicates an implied
vulnerability.
Vada hands her ticket to the attendant
VADA
What does that mean?
HARRY
It means...I'm a paranoid nitwit who's never
let his baby girl out of his sight for the
simple reason he's a paranoid nitwit. So why
don't you just say "Oh Dad" and get on the
damn plane already?
Vada gives Harry a hug
VADA
Bye Dad, I'll miss you.
HARRY
Thanks, I needed that.
VADA
I'll be back in 137 hours.
HARRY
Have fun.
Vada waves as she boards the plane
Not too much.
OUTSIDE VIEW OF AIRBORNE PLANE, SWITCHES TO INSIDE VIEW OF
VADA AT HER WINDOW SEAT, SHE GETS OUT HER BOX AND LOOKS
THROUGH IT AGAIN
VADA'S THOUGHTS
It's hard to believe that my mother's whole
life fits into this box. I've just gotta think
of this stuff as clues...or good luck charms.
But I need more than luck to solve this
puzzle, I need a miracle.
CONVEYOR BELT AT AIRPORT IN LA VADA'S BAG DROPS ONTO BELT
AND BEGINS TO MOVE ALONG, AT FIRST ATTEMPT VADA MISSES HER
BAG, THEN SHE GETS IT
Vada has her bag and stands in the middle of the terminal
waiting, a boy is seen running into the building, he stops
and looks around, passing straight by Vada, then turning and
trying to get a look at her, Vada will not allow this as she
keeps turning away from him
BOY
Are you waiting for someone?
Vada stays turned away and does not reply
BOY
Excuse me I asked you a question.
VADA
I'm not supposed to talk to strangers, not
even nuns.
BOY
You're Vada right?
Vada turns nervously and looks at him
VADA
How did you know my name?
BOY
Your Uncle Phil told me.
VADA
Where is he?? He was supposed to meet me.
BOY
Hey relax, you think I kidnapped him or
something?
VADA
This is California, anything is possible.
BOY
Well if I was looking for a victim, I
definitely wouldn't pick your Uncle Phil who
outweighs me by about 150 pounds, besides, who
would I ask for ransom? You??
VADA
Are you suffering from a chemical imbalance
or is it just an attitude problem.
BOY
My only problem is that your Uncle Phil is
giving me five bucks to pick you up but I
don't get paid 'till delivery.
VADA
Gee, that is a problem.
the boy picks up Vada's suitcase and begins to walk off
with it
VADA
Put that down, I'll...I'll call the police!
BOY
What are you gonna do? Tell them that...a
polite person helped carry your bag?
VADA
I don't think you're very polite.
BOY
Yeah, well I don't think you're very
grateful. A lot of people in your position
would say "thank you".
he begins to move off, Vada follows
VADA
THANK YOU.
BOY
Don't mention it.
VADA
I don't even know your name.
NICK
It's Nick.
(giving Vada's ticket to attendant)
There you go.
ATTENDANT
(checks ticket against luggage)
Okay.
NICK
Thanks.
outside
NICK
Oh great, no cabs!
Hari Krishna guy approaches Vada
MAN
I have a gift for you.
he gives her something
VADA
Thanks....
NICK
No THANKS!
VADA
He said it was a gift.
NICK
Yeah, RIGHT.
VADA
I don't need you to be telling me to...
NICK
TAXI!!!
the two rush up to a waiting taxi, cutting off a woman who
was about to get in
NICK
Get in...get in!!
TAXI DRIVER
Okay, you look like a man who knows where
he's going, where're we headed?
NICK
Take the 405 to Santa Monica, Santa Monica to
Whittier, Whittier to Sunset.
CAMERA IS FOLLOWING TAXI FROM SKY, SONG IS PLAYING
SWINGTOWN VADA IS WATCHING OUT WINDOW ALL THE SIGHTS, THEY
PASS AN OIL PUMP, A HUGE DONUT STORE, CAPITOL RECORDS
BUILDING ETC.
Vada waves out the window to a surfer in a red convertible,
then they turn off, and pull up to a building with "BUDAPEST
auto repair" written on it
NICK
(paying driver)
There you go.
(to Vada)
See that building, my grandfather built it.
Budapest auto repair.
(points)
That's my room right up there. One of these
days this is all gonna be mine.
Vada enters the large garage and sees Phil walking inwards
VADA
Uncle Phil!!
Phil turns around
PHIL
Vada!!
Vada runs and jumps into Phil's arms
Look at you, oh hi, hi, hi!! How are you? You
look great, how's Shelly? Your dad?
VADA
They're great.
PHIL
How about Nick? Did he take good care of you?
VADA
He was very polite, worth the entire five
dollars.
PHIL
Uh huh, well...good to know.
Phil hands Nick a 5 note
NICK
Thanks
ROSE
(appears from behind a door, holding
phone under her ear)
Give it back Nicholas!
NICK
But we made a business deal.
ROSE
What ever happened to a good old-fashioned
favor huh?
Nick returns the 5
ROSE
(into phone)
Now Irving our family's been dealing with
your company for over forty years now, now
either the timing chain is here or isn't here
and from what I can see it isn't here, now you
wanna come down and explain to the customers
why we can't re-assemble the cars because not
all the parts are here.
Now come on, I have enough trouble keeping my
weight down, I don't need this blubber from
you, are we quite clear on this Irving or do I
have to speak with your father?
(pause)
Thank you. Yes, yes I love you too Irving.
she then hangs up, and notices Vada
You must be Vada! Oh what a face!
she leans over and hugs Vada
Oh if I had a face like that I wouldn't have
to yell so much. I'm Rose, Rose Zsigmond,
Nick's mother among other things.
VADA
You're Nick's mother?
ROSE
What, did you think he was raised by a pack
of wolves? Don't be misled by the haircut.
NICK
Mom!
Phil moves over to Rose and puts his arm around her
shoulders
PHIL
Who knew that when I started working in the
finest foreign car shop in LA, I would also
find the light of my life.
ROSE
Yeah, well he left out a couple of steps, ah
look, I've gotta get back to these bills, Phil
will you help Vada get settled?
PHIL
Come on...I'll show you where you're gonna
stay.
Vada and Phil go upstairs, and enter a very nicely done up
room
PHIL
Here we go...not what you expected from
downstairs right? Now well put your stuff over
here in this closet...you can unpack later and
this is where you sleep. Luckily this sofa bed
is really comfortable, I can tell you that
from personal experience.
(pointing)
Bathroom, do you have to?
(pointing)
Rose and my room.
VADA
She lives here too?
PHIL
Ahh, that's right, like one big happy family.
This is Nick's room and uhh....
VADA
But...are you engaged or something?
PHIL
Dating, seriously dating. You're thirsty,
want something to drink? Sure you do, it's
been a long trip.
Phil goes and begins to get Vada a drink
You see Vada, marriage, marriage is a very
big step...and...no... not something to be
entered into lightly, see I just uhh...I just
wanna make very sure that everything is
absolutely right before I go jumping into some
kind of a...
VADA
Sounds like you have a fear of commitment,
Uncle Phil.
PHIL
That's ridiculous, I'm...I'm very, umm, what
do you call it?
VADA
Committed?
PHIL
Committed.
VADA
So does that mean that you sleep here every
night?
PHIL
Yes, it does.
Phil holds up two containers, one of orange juice and one
of milk, Vada
indicates the milk
VADA
Well then that's not exactly dating is it.
PHIL
Vada, I know that traditionally you're not
supposed to do a lot of these things before
you're officially married...but these are
very, very special circumstances.
Phil pours Vada a drink of milk, as she drinks it we
hear...
VADA'S THOUGHTS
When sex is involved, it's always special
circumstances.
AT THE ZSIGMOND DINNING TABLE. ROSE, PHIL, VADA AND NICK
ARE SITTING, EATING
VADA
My parents had a brief, but intensely
fulfilling relationship. She's remained a
woman of mystery to this day.
NICK
And you're gonna solve the mystery?
VADA
I got it all figured out, I know she went to
Wilson High School, so first thing tomorrow,
I'm gonna go there and get a copy of her
yearbook. That way I can get the names of all
the people she was in clubs with and found out
who her friends were.
PHIL
Then you'll be all set.
ROSE
Sounds like you're very organized.
VADA
I had to be, I only have five days. So just
point me in the right direction and....
PHIL
I'll do better than that. I'll send you off
with your own private guide.
Phil looks at Nick
NICK
(mouth full)
Muh??
PHIL
I'd consider it a personal favor.
Nick flashes an evil look at Vada
VADA IS IN A DRESSING GOWN, WALKING TOWARD THE KITCHEN
WHERE NICK AND PHIL ARE WASHING DISHES AND TALKING, VADA
STOPS BEHIND THE FRIDGE AND LISTENS
PHIL
It's not like you had a whole lot planned for
this week right? It'll be okay. Hey, here you
go.
Phil hands 10 to Nick
NICK
What's that?
PHIL
Ten bucks.
NICK
What's it for?
PHIL
For the mini-bike fund.
NICK
Wow!
PHIL
Well I know you're not crazy about taking
Vada around tomorrow, so...I just want you to
know I appreciate it though.
NICK
No problem.
PHIL
You're a good man Nicholas.
NICK
Phil, I think you should consider...
fades as Vada walks off
CLOSE UP OF VADA IN BED. SHE WAKES UP, AND GETS UP,
WANDERING OUT ONTO THE FRONT PORCH IN THE FRESH MORNING AIR
LOOKING AT LA
EXTERNAL VIEW OF BUS GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY
INSIDE BUS, VADA AND NICK ARE SITTING ON ONE OF THE SEATS
VADA
I thought my mom went to school in LA, we've
gotta be closing in on the Grand Canyon. But
I'm sure for a trip to the Grand Canyon you'd
charge a little more than...ten dollars.
Nick ponders on this for a moment and then looks annoyed
NICK
You know eavesdropping is a very unattractive
habit.
VADA
I wasn't eavesdropping, I was overhearing.
NICK
I didn't ask for the money, Phil just gave it
to me.
VADA
Well look, I know that all you care about is
your precious mini-bike. It's obvious you have
no sense of historical perspective, I think
we're here.
she pulls the buzzer
NICK
(to driver)
Getting off please.
VADA
Excuse me, pardon, thank you, excuse me.
Vada and Nick get off the bus and walk towards an empty
field, there is a plaque standing near them, so Vada goes to
look
VADA
Where's the school?
looks at the plaque and reads from it
VADA
Due to a devastating fire June 17 1963,
Wilson High School was closed.
I can't believe it! My mother's high school
burned down!
NICK
They obviously have no sense of historical
perspective either.
VADA
It's not funny! I mean what am I gonna do?
Without that yearbook I'm lost. I can't just
walk around town looking for someone with a
Wilson High School Letter sweater!!!
NICK
Vada.
VADA
WHAT??
NICK
Calm down! We just have to ask ourselves,
where your books come from.
I mean they don't appear out of thin air.
INSIDE A PRINTING PRESS SOMEWHERE, VADA AND NICK ARE
WALKING BEHIND A WORKER
MAN
Watch these machines now.
VADA
This is really very nice of you.
MAN
It's no problem, I had a mother once myself.
they all enter a large storage room
MAN
If it's in here at all, it's in the back two
rows.
VADA
O.K. Thank you very much.
MAN
Happy hunting.
Vada and Nick begin to search through boxes and boxes of
books
NICK
I don't mean to alarm you, but I'm getting a
nose bleed from the altitude.
VADA
Just remember the needle in the haystack.
NICK
I never did understand that story, did
someone find the needle or not?
VADA
What difference does it make?
NICK
A big difference, if someone found it we
should keep looking, if they didn't we're just
wasting our time.
VADA
Oh my gosh, here it is!
Vada searches quickly through the book
VADA
Look, here she is.
Margaret Ann Muldovan - Newspaper, Literary
magazine, French Club, Drama Club, Debate
Club, Girls Basketball and Swim team. With
Maggie's combo of good looks and talent, we're
sure to be seeing her name in lights.
She was gonna be famous.
NICK
Yearbooks always set you out for
disappointment, I want mine to say:
Nick probably won't amount to much, so don't
be surprised if you never hear anything about
him again.
Can we go?...It smells like someone left
their gym bag in here.
VADA
It's the leather bindings, I love the
fragrance of vintage books.
NICK
I love the fragrance of chilidogs.
VADA AND NICK ARE AT AN OUTDOOR FAST FOOD RESTAURANT,
EATING
VADA
He was on the school paper with my
mom...great...a full page of Tanaka's, fifteen
with the initial 'D', this is gonna be tough.
NICK
Don't forget, the girls change their names if
they got married.
VADA
I'd never do that.
NICK
Get married?
VADA
Change my name.
NICK
What, you think the guy should change his
name?
Vada gets up to go to the phone
VADA
I don't think anybody should change their
names, that way you can always find them when
you need them.
NICK
What if you don't wanna be found?
VADA
Why do you argue with everything I say?
Nick grabs one of Vada's chips while she's not looking
L.A.P.D., VADA AND NICK ARE GOING UP THE STAIRS, THEY
APPROACH A FEMALE COP AT THE DESK
VADA
Hi.
COP
Can I help you?
VADA
Umm, yeah does someone named Daryl Tanaka
work here?
COP
Sure.
(turns around and shouts)
Hey TANAKA, you got company!
DARYL
It's too bad about your mom. At least she
went peacefully, I've seen a lot of people go
out the hard way.
VADA
What do you remember about her.
DARYL
Well, we worked on the school paper together.
I remember when the Legion of Decency declared
Rebel without a Cause unfit...boy...that Jim
Backers, what an actor uh? What an actor.
Ah, she wrote this article about censorship
in the first amendment, she was really
something. Graduation, some big deal
congressman saying Senator McCarthy was the
greatest American ever. Maggie gets up in
front of five hundred people...walks
out...couple of people followed her too.
Took a lot of guts.
VADA
Wow, you walked out with my mother?
DARYL
You kidding?
he picks up a picture and shows Vada and Nick
My parents would have shot me.
I was the president of the young republicans.
Nee say second generation...hall monitor. I
didn't wanna start World War Three.
NICK
You saved a lot of lives, you should be very
proud.
VADA
Umm, I'm trying to find out her greatest
achievement.
DARYL
She was the uhh...first girl ever suspended
for smoking.
VADA
Suspended from school, my mother??
DARYL
Everyone was really surprised when Maggie was
turned in, she got kicked out for two weeks.
NICK
What kind of sleazoid geek would turn her in?
DARYL
I would do it again in a minute.
VADA
You ratted on my mother??
NICK
Who are you? Hitler's hall monitor?
DARYL
Well maybe you should join a hippie commune.
But let me tell you something. Sooner or later
it's gonna be your turn to take out the
garbage.
NICK
What about giving the other guy a break.
DARYL
What about living in the real world pal?
INTERCOM
TANAKA got a minute?
DARYL
I'll be right there.
he gets up and begins to leave
(to Vada)
Oh, ahh, I'd be a little more careful of who
I hang around with.
Nick picks up Daryl's packet of cigarettes and shows them
to Vada
NICK
(to Vada)
Care for a smoke?
VADA AND NICK ARE WALKING ALONG THE STREET
VADA
This'll be great in my report, my mother was
suspended for smoking.
NICK
I think it's cool.
VADA
You would.
NICK
You'd rather have a mother that's a member of
the police state? Rules are made to be broken.
(pointing to Nixon on TV in a shop
window)
Just ask him.
NIXON ON TV
...about the fact that the president has
nothing to hide...in this matter...
BUDAPEST AUTO REPAIR, A RED JAGUAR ENTERS WITH A SCREECH
AND A MAN GETS OUT AND MOVES OVER TO ROSE
ROSE
Hello.
MAN
Hi.
ROSE
What can I do for you?
MAN
Ehh...I'm staying at the chateau and the guy
who runs the garage there said that you're the
best Jag people in town...so uhm.
ROSE
Well Enrique is great and...we are the best.
MAN
Then I have come to the right place.
ROSE
I guess you have.
MAN
I'm Sam Helburn. Sam.
ROSE
Rose.
they shake hands
ROSE
So what's wrong?
SAM
Nothing, nothing at all.
ROSE
I mean...with your car.
SAM
Oh, ahh, oil change, I...ehh...I just drove
in from Chicago and uhh...nice hair.
ROSE
Excuse me?
SAM
I was commenting on your hair.
ROSE
Oh, are you a hairdresser?
SAM
I'm a pediatric cardiologist.
ROSE
Oh, you mean you...fix the hearts...of little
babies?
SAM
Mostly...little babies, but...not
exclusively.
Phil looks up from his work to see Sam holding Rose's
hands, he is mildly annoyed
SAM
(laughing)
...It's all in the hands really. You know you
have nice hands, you operate?
ROSE
(laughing)
Yes, I do.
SAM
...so I guess I'll always...teach...you
know...'cause it makes a good relief from the
operating-room, I feel I have an obligation...
Rose and Sam continue conversing as Phil comes over to them
PHIL
Hi, Phil Sultenfuss
Phil goes to shake Sam's hand and then realizes that they
are very dirty and
withdraws his hand Oh sorry. Ahh, some kind
of problem here?
ROSE
No, there's no problem, Dr. Helburn just
needs to have his oil changed.
PHIL
Oh I see, 'cause usually that doesn't require
such a lengthy consultation.
SAM
Well Rose was being very thorough.
PHIL
Was Rose.
ROSE
Ahh, Dr. Helburn, why don't you come in
tomorrow-morning at eight o'clock, that's when
we open, we'll get you started.
SAM
I'll be here.
PHIL
I look forward to it.
Phil slaps the windscreen of Sam's car, leaving a huge
greasy handprint
Oh, I'm sorry, I'll get that for you in the
morning.
he gets out a rag and wipes the mark, smearing it
Ooooh, made it worse, Get that for you in the
morning. Nice wheels.
SAM
Thanks.
Sam reverses out and drives off
PHIL
What's with the touching, why was he touching
you?
ROSE
He wasn't touching me he was
just...gesturing...
PHIL
He was caressing.
ROSE
Phil for God sake.
PHIL
God? No I didn't think you'd want to invoke
God Rose, because he saw even more than I did.
ROSE
Look Phil, if you want the rights of a
husband, you're gonna have to ask me something
but if not, you're gonna have to get
accustomed to the rights of what you are.
PHIL
Oh...what's that?
ROSE
Right now? An intimate border
with...mechanical skills.
Phil notices Nick and Vada entering the garage
PHIL
Hi!
ROSE
Oh, Hi, how's the investigation going?
NICK
Just call us the "dead end kids".
VADA
May I use the phone please.
ROSE
Oh, yeah, sure, help yourself.
PHIL
Anyone with taste, anyone with breeding.... A
gentleman, would choose British racing green,
with maybe a tan interior...but when you buy a
red car, with a black interior and wire
wheels, you have one thing on your mind and
one thing only and I'm too much of a gentleman
to say what that one thing is...in front of
the children.
Vada and Nick exchange looks
Even if I am just a glorified boarder.
Phil changes the radio station from the classical one that
Rose has it on,
to a modern one, with some heavy 70's music
on it
Vada is talking on the phone trying to find the number for
another one
of her mother's friends
VADA
Hi, I would like the number of Stanley
Rosenfeld photos, please?
IN A BALL ROOM, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE DANCING TO A SONG
BEING PLAYED BY A LIVE BAND, VADA AND NICK ARE WALKING WITH
STANLEY ROSENFELD
STANLEY
You know photography is an art form if you
take it seriously enough, which I happen to
do.
Stanley sees a couple dancing
Ester, Ester you gorgeous thing you, smile
for the birdie. Hold, hold.
ESTER
Stomach in Harold.
click
STANLEY
BEEAAAUUUUUUTIFULLL.
ESTER
Thank you.
STANLEY
Thank YOU.
Vada and Nick exchange weird looks
Your mother was something-special Vada, to
tell you the truth, I had quite a crush on
her.
VADA
Really?
STANLEY
Who didn't? She could play basketball like
Jerry West, she danced like Sid Cherice, then
she'd look at you with those big blue eyes,
forget about it. I asked her out a couple of
times but she always said no.
Lenny, Nancy, you just got married, look
happy, look happy, look like you mean it.
click
BEEAAAUUUUUUTIFULLL.
I remember those days, then we all went off
to UCLA and she started hanging round with
those drama department types. There was this
one guy, Peter Webb he's become a big director
in Hollywood now...and the only reason I know
him at all is that we were all together in
this big poetry class with this crazy guy
Albert Boderfelder...
VADA
Beidermeyer?
STANLEY
Beidermeyer that's it, what a mad man.
VADA
He's a great poet.
STANLEY
He is?
VADA
Do you know him?
STANLEY
Everybody did, walk along Citrus between
Fountain and Sunset any afternoon.
VADA
He'll remember my mother for sure. STANLEY
It was a big class Vada and...but...well of
course he'll remember, who could forget
Maggie?
VADA
Just one more thing. Does this mean anything
to you?
Vada gets out the brown paper bag and shows it to Stanley
STANLEY
No it doesn't but... I...I wish it did.
VADA
Well, thanks for your help Mr. Rosenfeld and
I'm sorry my mother wouldn't go out with you,
I'm sure she would have had a really great
time.
STANLEY
I would have tried to show her a good time. I
promised her when she left that I would never
forget her and I never did. Stanley Rosenfeld
does not forget.
VADA AND NICK ARE WALKING DOWN A PAVEMENT, TALKING
VADA
This is the street he walks down every day.
When he needs inspiration...
NICK
Boy, you're really into this.
VADA
He is one of the great poets.
they look across the road and see an old man sitting in a
chair, writing
VADA
I think it's him.
they cross the road
VADA
He's writing. Hello?
MAN
If you're selling Girl Scout cookies I'm
borderline diabetic.
VADA
You're Alfred Beidermeyer aren't you?
ALFRED
You had to remind me?
VADA
Are you writing a poem?
ALFRED
No, I'm writing to the phone company because
they keep charging me for calls to Caracas,
Venezuela...do you know any know anybody in
Caracas, Venezuela?
VADA & NICK
No.
ALFRED
Neither do I.
a buzzer sounds
Ask not for whom the bell tolls...time for my
medication and my nap.
as he gets up, he knocks everything off his table
NICK
Here, we'll help you carry your stuff.
ALFRED
I can handle it, I can handle that. Oh well,
thank you, I'm in the penthouse.
Vada and Nick begin to climb the stairs
Penthouse A, it's there over on the left.
Alfred begins to climb the stairs after Vada and Nick, very
slowly
NICK
If he has a heart attack you're carrying the
body down yourself.
VADA
At least it gives you plenty of exercise.
ALFRED
It keeps me young.
They all enter Alfred's apartment
VADA
(referring to the table that she is
carrying)
Umm, where do you want this?
ALFRED
Oh, just put it over there.
Vada is looking through Alfred's bookshelf
VADA
Do you still teach?
ALFRED
No, no, no, I gave it up ten years
ago...actually it gave me up.
Vada finds a book of interest
VADA
My mother took this course with you at
UCLA..."The Foundations of Poetic Thought".
ALFRED
UCLA? My cardigan sweater period.
VADA
Her name was Maggie Muldovan.
ALFRED
(completely absentmindedly)
Ohhhhh.
NICK
Remember her?
ALFRED
I've been blessed with a very bad memory.
VADA
People said she looked like me.
ALFRED
I was drinking a little in those days.
(gets up)
I'm drinking a little these days too.
VADA
I'm sure she found your lectures fascinating.
ALFRED
Oh I doubt it...lectures are notoriously
boring.
VADA
No they're not. I wanna be a writer, I wanna
be just like you.
ALFRED
Humph, meee?? My dear, this is not a country
that rewards poetry, this is a country that
rewards gas mileage, besides, people don't
read poetry anymore, they watch television.
Don't be a poet, be a TV repairman.
OUTSIDE, NICK AND VADA ARE GOING DOWN STEPS OUTSIDE ALFRED
BEIDERMEYER'S FLAT
NICK
Vada, come on...I got a place I always go
when I need cheering up.
TAR PITS, VADA AND NICK ARE ON THE VIEWING PLATFORM LOOKING
OVER THE EDGE
VADA
The tar pits? This is where you come to get
cheered up?
NICK
Look at it this way, however bad I feel, it
isn't as bad as becoming extinct in a
bottomless pit of tar.
VADA
And I thought I was weird.
NICK
You are weird. Let's just go.
VADA
Oh, no wait, I like that you bought me here.
Vada and Nick sit down on a concrete bench
NICK
Hey what do I care...I mean, consider the
sorts, a chick from Pennsylvania, who wears a
mood ring.
VADA
This isn't just a mood ring.
NICK
Does it work?
VADA
Well, it doesn't open cans or anything but
it...it's sort of a reminder of a friend of
mine.
NICK
Boyfriend?
VADA
Well he was a boy, he was my friend...he was
my best friend. When we were kids we were
gonna...move out here and move to the Brady
Bunch.
Then umm, I lost this ring in the woods...and
when he went to find it...he got stung by bees
and he died.
NICK
Do you think your friend's up in Heaven now,
looking down on you and watching you all the
time?
VADA
(smiles)
Well, I hope he's not watching me all the
time.
NICK
Let me see if it changes colors on me.
VADA
ehh...Okay...but be careful, it has a lot of
sentimental value.
Vada takes the ring off and hands it carefully to Nick,
they stand up
NICK
Maybe it'll fit my pinkie.
VADA
Don't force it, you'll break it.
NICK
I'm not gonna break it, I just wanna see it
change colors.
VADA
I want it back now. I never should have taken
it off, I want it back.
Nick begins to tease Vada with her mood ring, she begins to
get quite distressed
NICK
Hey relax, I'm not gonna break it.
VADA
Give it to me!
NICK
Come and get it.
VADA
Just give it to me!!
NICK
Just come and get it...right here!
VADA
DON'T, come on!!!
Nick has his back against the side of the platform with his
arm outstretched,
threatening to drop it
NICK
Woah, watch it!
VADA
DON'T!!!
NICK
(expression suddenly changes)
Uh oh...
VADA
What do you mean "Uh Oh"???
NICK
...I dropped it.
VADA
In the tar??
NICK
It was an accident, I'll get you a new one.
Vada runs off down the steps
NICK
Where are you going???
VADA
Owh...
Nick is sprinting after Vada, who is running fast toward
the fence
NICK
Vada wait up!!!!! WAIT!!!!!
Vada tries to scale the fence to get into the enclosed area
to retrieve her
ring, Nick pulls her off
NICK
What are you doing? You can't go in there!
VADA
Oh no?!?!?!
Vada climbs again, Nick pulls her off again
NICK
It's dangerous!!
VADA
(pushing Nick)
Leave me alone!!
That ring is the only thing I have left of
Thomas J, I have to get it!!
NICK
You mean,
(opens other hand)
this ring?
VADA
Jerk! You IDIOT!!!
Vada begins to hit Nick quite fiercely
NICK
You hit pretty good, for a girl!!
they run off
NIGHT TIME INSIDE THE ZSIGMOND HOUSE, NICK OPENS HIS
BEDROOM DOOR AND EMERGES DRESSED IN HIS PAJAMAS
Nick walks over past where Vada is sleeping on the couch-
bed and stops, turns back and moves over to take a look at
the sleeping beauty, all of a sudden the light in Rose &
Phil's room goes on
ROSE
(whispering, from bedroom)
Nicholas! What are you doing up?
NICK
I...ahhh...umm...I'm thirsty.
ROSE
There's water in your bathroom.
NICK
(opening fridge)
I want juice!
ROSE
Don't wake up Vada.
NICK
I won't.
Vada smiles and opens her eyes
SOME WESTERN MOVIE SET IN HOLLYWOOD, VADA AND NICK ARE
WALKING ALONG TALKING TO PETER WEBB
PETER
I think ahh...Maggie could have been a major
glitter. She'd talent, God knows that face was
made for close-ups but everything was...magic
with Maggie. I remember, we were walking down
Hollywood Boulevard, we put our feet in the
stars' footprints, you know like tourists do,
Maggie could not believe it, her feet were the
same size as Judy Garland. Of course mine
matched perfectly with Orson Wells. Hahaha,
just kidding.
You should call Hillary Mitchell...Maggie
were very close. She's got this funky little
clothing store over here on Melrose, I'd call
her for you but well we ahh, kinda had this
thing you know...got a little messy.
Peter writes on a piece of paper and then hands it to Vada
VADA
Thanks. Umm...would you know what this is?
Vada hands her mother's brown paper bag over to Peter
PETER
Well not really. Ahh, could be the date of an
opening, an audition...eh...umm...birthday?
Not my birthday. I dunno, who...eh...writes
dates on paper bags?
Peter gives the bag back to Vada
VADA
My mom.
PETER
(looks at watch)
Woooh, I have got to get to Dailies, gotta
break this up.
VADA
Well thanks for your time, I know you're very
busy.
PETER
You are Maggie all over...you let me know if
you ever wanna be a movie star...you got the
face for close-ups too.
VADA
Thanks.
Peter gives Vada a kiss on the forehead, then walks off
NICK
What a dufus.
LIVING ROOM OF ZSIGMOND HOUSE, PHIL AND ROSE ARE READY TO
GO OUT, VADA AND NICK ARE SITTING READING MAGAZINES
PHIL
We may go out for coffee after the meeting so
don't expect us before midnight.
ROSE
There's plenty of fruit.
PHIL
You know where the fire extinguisher is.
NICK
If the fruit burst into flames I'll be
prepared.
ROSE
(to Nick, whom she gives a kiss on
the forehead)
You're so clever.
(to Vada)
Are you all right honey?
VADA
I'm just tired.
ROSE
All right, well get to bed early and don't
let anybody in. Bye.
PHIL
Lock the door.
VADA
Bye.
Vada looks up expectantly at Nick, who gets up and goes to
the door to check
that Rose and Phil have left
NICK
We have lift off.
the song "Bennie and the Jets" begins to play
ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, NICK AND VADA ARE LOOKING AT ALL
THE STARS ON THE PAVEMENT
VADA
Joan Crawford, oh I love her...there's the
Marx Brothers. Carol Lombard, my dad's
favorite!
NICK
Never heard of her.
VADA
Montgomery Clift, wait 'till I tell Shelly.
NICK
Here's Judy Garland!
Vada runs over
VADA
My mother stood on this very spot.
NICK
I'm afraid your feet won't fit in there.
VADA
That's 'cause I was cursed with the
Sultenfuss Bear Claws. My hands fit.
NICK
Big deal.
A hippie walks past smoking a joint, and blows a puff of it
on Vada, who
smells it and coughs
VADA
What's he smoking?
NICK
What do you think?
VADA
Really?
Vada starts off after him, but Nick grabs her arm and pulls
her away, they
walk off and then Vada sees a sign saying
Ears Pierced, 5.00
VADA
Hey look!
NICK
This is a totally barbaric custom.
They enter the store
VADA AND NICK STROLLING QUIETLY DOWN A PAVEMENT IN FRONT OF
A LARGE WALL MURAL OF MOVIE STARS
NICK
So if Phil marries my mom, she'd be your Aunt
right?
VADA
Right.
NICK
And you'd be my cousin?
VADA
Yeah I guess...sort of.
NICK
But we wouldn't really be related right?
VADA
Oh no, we wouldn't be from the same
bloodlines or anything. We'd be like two total
strangers who...accidentally had relatives
that got married.
NICK
Good. I mean...
VADA
Marriage can really complicate things. So,
aren't you gonna say anything about my
earrings?
NICK
I already did, it's a totally barbaric
custom...but on you, it looks good.
Vada smiles
BUS PULLS UP TO STOP NEAR BUDAPEST AUTO REPAIRS, NICK AND
VADA RUN OFF OF IT AND SPRINT OFF TOWARDS THE DOOR TO NICK'S
HOUSE
VADA
We should've called.
NICK
It's not that late!
they enter the living room, Rose and Phil are sitting
waiting
ROSE
You're grounded 'till you're fifty!
NICK
You're over reacting!
ROSE
Make that sixty and I'm docking your
allowance for two weeks.
NICK
MOM!
ROSE
You think this is easy for me? You go out on
the town and I get to be the bad guy. Look I
don't want you to be some punk hoodlum
delinquent but I can't do my job as a parent
if you don't do your job as a kid.
VADA
It's not his fault!
NICK
No...it was me. And I'm sorry mom, really,
ju...just tell me what to do, I'll do
anything.
ROSE
Go to your room.
(to Vada)
And you...I don't suppose your father gave
you permission to pierce your ears, did he?
VADA
Not exactly.
ROSE
Well just don't shave your legs...he'll never
let you visit us again if I send you home
hairless and full of holes.
Phil moves his hand up to cover his smile as he tries
desperately not to laugh
GARAGE DAY, DR HELBURN DRIVES IN
SAM
Good morning.
ROSE
Well maybe for you.
SAM
Something wrong?
ROSE
Well let's just say you're lucky you deal
with children who are under anesthesia.
SAM
Well, even without anesthesia I always tell
my patients to...eh... to relax.
Look...eh...isn't it time for your coffee
break or something? There must be some place
we can go...talk?
ROSE
Oh no, I, I...eh...I couldn't.
SAM
You couldn't?
ROSE
Well I'm sort of involved.
SAM
Sort of?
ROSE
Let's just say I...eh...I'm involved.
SAM
Where I come from, involvement...generally
calls for a substantial piece of jewelry.
ROSE
Oh, well, I don't wear a lot of jewelry.
SAM
All right, so you don't like jewelry
but...eh...you do like...eh...good music.
Liszt, one of my favorites.
ROSE
Lizt was my parents' favorite, they were
Hungarian.
SAM
Hungarian. Famous for their beautiful
music...and beautiful women.
Phil approaches, looking annoyed
PHIL
Doctor Helburn, what a surprise. In the last
couple of days we've changed your oil,
realigned your brakes, balanced and rotated
your tires, aligned your front end, and
flushed out your entire cooling system, I
really didn't expect to be seeing you for
another three thousand miles.
SAM
Oh what can I say Phil, it's just that I feel
so welcome here.
ROSE
And you are.
Phil glances at Rose
SAM
Ahh, why don't I come in first thing in the
morning and you can check out that left
blinker for me.
ROSE
Oh, sure okay.
SAM
I'll see you then...I look forward to it.
Sam gets into his car and drives off
PHIL
You really oughtta flush out that line of
bullshit he's got:
Hungarian's are famous for their beautiful
women.
ROSE
What's wrong with a little flattery? What's
wrong with a little appreciation?
Rose starts to move toward the office
PHIL
Wait, are you saying that I don't appreciate?
ROSE
I'm saying he asked me out for coffee, like a
real date, when was the last time you did
that?
PHIL
Wha...what do you mean? We have a date every
night.
ROSE
No, that's not a date, a date is when I don't
cook.
Rose shuts the door
PHIL
I do the dishes.
VADA AND NICK ARE WALKING DOWN A STREET, THEY STOP AND
ENTER A SHOP
VADA'S THOUGHTS
I'd go to a fortuneteller but they can only
predict the future...I need someone who can
predict the past.
INSIDE SHOP
LADY
Hi, can I help you?
VADA
Are you the Hillary Mitchell who went to
school with Maggie Muldovan?
HILLARY
Maggie Muldovan? Did you...know her?
NICK
She's her daughter, Vada.
HILLARY
Ooh...of course!
(hugs Vada)
Oh, look at you! Oh it's the eyes mostly and
the hair too and now she's gone...she's
gone...she'll never get to see how well you've
turned out. Oh... oh my God...Maggie! You poor
thing!
Hillary begins to sob and hug Vada
VADA
It's okay really, I was just a baby.
HILLARY
I'm sorry, it's just...I've been taking all
these seminars to get in touch with my
feelings and...sometimes it gets out of hand.
Nick reaches over and gets a tissue, then hands it to
Hillary
NICK
Here.
HILLARY
Oh, thank you, you're very sweet. So how did
you find out where I was?
NICK
Peter Webb told us.
HILLARY
Peter? You saw Peter? Oh God...
(begins to cry, and then hugs Nick)
Oh forgive me, I'm making such a scene here.
Why don't you have a seat.
VADA
Thanks.
HILLARY
I remember Maggie...and your Dad too, you
know we used to all pile into his old 54 Ford
pickup. "Chuck the Truck" we used to call it.
It was pitch black, with a red leather
interior. Does he still drive that?
VADA
No, but sometimes he drives a hearse.
NICK
He's an undertaker.
HILLARY
You're kidding, Jeffrey Pommeroy's an
undertaker?
Vada and Nick are confused
VADA
His name's Harry Sultenfuss.
HILLARY
Oh.
(then it dawns on her)
Ohhh?
VADA
What're you saying?
HILLARY
Ummmmm, look, I...I...
VADA
Are you saying my mother had another husband?
HILLARY
Oh honey, back then...people did crazy
things.
VADA
They sure did! They got kicked out of school,
they married truck drivers...these are my
mother's greatest accomplishments? I'm sure
glad I came all the way out here to find them
out.
Vada runs out of store, Nick looks at Hillary and then
follows
OUTSIDE ON SIDEWALK
Vada is running down the sidewalk
NICK
Vada, wait up!
Vada slows down and Nick catches up
Just because you mother was married before,
it...it doesn't mean anything.
VADA
(very near tears)
Maybe not...but maybe it does. If no one told
me about this, I mean...maybe they're trying
to hide something.
NICK
Like what?
VADA
Maybe this Jeffrey guy is...is my real
father. I mean...look at me, I have the hair
of a dead person and...and my nose, no one in
my family has this nose, it could be the nose
of...a...of a complete stranger,
Vada's voice is getting a little hysterical and she is
starting to cry
I mean...I came out here to...to find out
about my mother and I...and I found...
Vada turns around, covers her face and cries
NICK
Don't cry...come on...that lady in there
looked pretty flaky to me.
How 'bout Phil, maybe he knows something
about all this. At least you should talk to
him before you get worked up.
VADA
Before I get worked up? You don't think this
is worked up?
Nick takes Vada by the shoulders and gently turns her
around, he then wipes
a tear from her cheek
NICK
That thing you said about your nose...it was
a stranger's nose...well it's not...it's...I
mean...it's yours...you know?
VADA
Nick?
NICK
Yeah?
VADA
This has been a real confusing day.
Nick nods
ZSIGMOND DINING ROOM TABLE, VADA, PHIL, NICK AND ROSE ARE
SITTING EATING
VADA
How could Dad let me visit here and find out
like this?
Phil shrugs
VADA
I'm gonna call him...and make him tell me
everything.
Phil knows something that Vada doesn't, and he doesn't want
Vada to phone
Harry at the moment
PHIL
Uhh sweetie, I wou... I wou...I wou...
VADA
Don't worry, I'll do it in my own subtle way.
Vada picks up the phone and dials a number
HARRY
Hello? Sultenfuss Parlor.
VADA
Hi Dad.
HARRY
Hi honey.
VADA
I just called to say that I'm having a really
great time.
HARRY
Good! You should go over and watch some Ted
Carson.
VADA
Actually, I wanna see Jeffrey Pommeroy.
HARRY AND SHELLY'S ROOM BACK IN PENNSYLVANIA, SHELLY IS
LYING IN BED LOOKING SICK, HARRY IS SITTING BESIDE HER ON
THE PHONE TO VADA
HARRY
Is he...eh...some kind of a new rock star or
something?
VADA
VADA
Yeah.
HARRY
Totally groovy huh?
VADA
Totally.
HARRY
HARRY
Ask him if he needs a good tuba player.
VADA
VADA
I will. How's Shelly?
HARRY
HARRY
Oh she's fine...ahh...umm the doctor
just...ehh...told her to stay in bed and get a
little rest and...'n stay quiet...just...just
to make sure that...
VADA
VADA
Okay...bye daddy, I love you.
HARRY
HARRY
I love you too sweetie, bye.
VADA
Give my love to Shelly.
Harry hangs up and then looks at Shelly who has just opened
her eyes, and is weakly smiling a little
VADA
VADA
Shelly's sick...I have to get to the bottom
of this whole thing and get back there.
ROSE
She'll be all right baby.
VADA
Yeah...right, it's pointless to worry.
L.A.P.D. AGAIN, VADA AND NICK ARE TALKING TO DARYL TANAKA
DARYL
I'm not authorized to trace licenses for
civilians.
VADA
His name is Jeffrey Pommeroy and he used to
drive a 54 Ford pickup, black with red
interior. Please?
NICK
Give us a break. All you have to do is make a
phone call.
DARYL
(to Vada)
I thought I told you to lose this guy.
NICK
Look, sergeant I know I said some things last
time that I shouldn't have said at all but...
DARYL
I think the phrase was "Sleazoid Geek".
NICK
I'm sorry okay...we gotta find this guy
because...he knew Vada's mom and he could tell
her stuff that no one else knows.
DARYL
You're still asking me to break the law.
VADA
No, we're asking you to stand up with Maggie
Muldovan like you should have years ago.
Daryl thinks for a moment then picks up the phone and dials
a number
DARYL
Yeah, this is Sergeant Tanaka from Holenbeck,
I need a current address for a Jeffrey....
VADA
Pommeroy.
DARYL
Pommeroy...he may or may not be driving a
black 54 Ford Pickup.
(covers phone)
Monday.
VADA
(disappointed)
I'm leaving Sunday.
DARYL
(into phone)
Could you hold on for a second?
(quietly, to Vada and Nick)
Look, I can't get priority without a criminal
charge.
NICK
So charge him with something...who's gonna
know?
DARYL
Me, I'll know!
VADA
Do you wanna be a hall monitor all your life?
DARYL
(into phone)
Hello, I'm gonna need this right now...this
guy...well we think he might be going after
the governor.
(pause)
Twenty minutes? Fine.
BUDAPEST GARAGE, VADA AND PHIL ARE LOOKING AT THE ENGINE OF
A CAR
PHIL
So give him a call, the worst he can do is
hang up on you, right?
VADA
I feel like before I can talk to him I have
to see his face.
PHIL
How's this for a solution. We'll take a drive
over to his place, you can introduce
yourself....
VADA
I'd like to see his house but...I don't know
if I'd have the nerve to just go up and knock
on his door. I don't think I can go through
with it.
PHIL
Then we'll keep driving...you'll decide.
VADA AND PHIL DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, THEY TURN OFF INTO A
SIDE ROAD
PHIL
You're awfully quiet.
VADA
Do you think I should tell my dad about
Jeffrey Pommeroy?
PHIL
I don't know, he's got an awful lot on his
mind right now.
Maybe some day when the time is right.
VADA
Maybe.
PHIL
Then again, your dad's got his own memories
and he's got his own life now...I think this
is a secret just between you and your mom.
VADA
A secret, I like that.
PHIL'S TRUCK PULLS UP TO A HOUSE
PHIL
This is it I guess.
VADA
Well, I've come this far...the least I can do
is knock on the door.
PHIL
You want me to come with?
VADA
(shakes her head)
I should do this myself.
PHIL
Okay...take your time...I'll...I'll go for a
walk around.
VADA
Okay.
Vada gets out and makes her way up to the front door,
petting the dog sitting
on the doorstep, she turns to look back at
Phil
PHIL
(in car, gesturing that she should
press the bell)
Go ahead honey...go ahead.
Vada presses door bell, waits then presses it again, then a
man opens the door
MAN
Hi there...can I help you?
VADA
Are you Jeffrey Pommeroy?
JEFFREY
Sure am, who are you?
VADA
I am Vada Margaret Sultenfuss. My mother
was...
JEFFREY
Maggie...Maggie's little girl.
Vada nods
JEFFREY
I was hoping I'd get to meet you.
VADA
You mean, you knew about me?
VOICE FROM INSIDE
Who is it honey?
A woman appears next to Jeffrey
JEFFREY
It's aah...Maggie's little girl, Vada.
WOMAN
Ohh, Oh my.
JEFFREY
This is my wife Emily.
EMILY
Hi.
VADA
Hi.
JEFFREY
Umm...can you come in for a minute?
VADA
I'd like to, thanks.
they enter the house. Vada walks next to Jeffrey who leads
them into the living room, a little girl suddenly comes
running in
LITTLE GIRL
Mommy, Daddy, I painted you a rainbow, come
and see.
EMILY
(to Katie)
This is Vada,
(to Vada)
Vada this is our little girl Katie.
VADA
Hi.
KATIE
(shy)
Hi.
EMILY
Umm...why don't we let Daddy and Vada visit
for a little while?
KATIE
Okay.
JEFFREY
Okay.
KATIE
Bye.
VADA
Bye.
(Emily and Katie leave)
She looks a little like me when I was a
little girl.
JEFFREY
Does she?
Vada nods
JEFFREY
I'm glad you're here.
VADA
You are?
JEFFREY
Yeah, come on, let's talk.
they move into the kitchen
IN KITCHEN, JEFFREY IS IN FRIDGE GETTING A DRINK
VADA
We have this school assignment to write about
someone we never met and I chose my mother.
She was born in Los Angeles and since my uncle
Phil moved out here I came in to visit him and
then I looked at her high school yearbook
and... and I called a few people and one guy
said that she went to UCLA, another guy said
that I should call Hillary Mitchell so....
JEFFREY
Hillary Mitchell? How's she?
VADA
Oh she's great...she's a little crazy though.
Anyway, Hillary said that you had a black Ford
truck and this policeman I know got in touch
with Motor Vehicles and...he gave me your
address and here I am.
JEFFREY
(laughs)
VADA
I told you it was a long story.
JEFFREY
That's all right, you know what? You sound
just sounded just like your mother...she told
great stories. Stories with crazy accents
and...special effects.
VADA
Special effects?
JEFFREY
Yeah like, switching a lamp on and off when
she was talking about lightning...audiences
love stuff like that. And your mom knew how to
work an audience.
VADA
I don't know very much about her...I was
hoping that you could help me.
JEFFREY
I'll try.
Vada gets out her brown paper bag and hands it to JEFFREY
VADA
No one else knows what this means.
JEFFREY looks at it for a moment as memories come flooding
back
JEFFREY
You see...the thing is, we always wanted to
work in a theater, so we drove out to New
York, to Broadway where it was...where it was
all happening...and...New York was just full
of fancy French restaurants and we wanted to
get married in one but we were totally broke,
so your mom found this little coffee
shop...little tables round the back...and real
tablecloths on 'em, and a minister who worked
cheap...but when we got down to the coffee
shop there was a sign on the door that said
Closed by the Board of Health. By that time
it had started snowing, so...we just got
married...right outside in the snow.
It was freezing but it was wonderful. And for
our wedding feast, we had a bag of hot roasted
chestnuts. This is the bag.
VADA
And she saved it.
JEFFREY
(nods)
Well, we didn't have a camera...so she just
wrote the date on the bag and said, "This will
be out wedding album, this will be a day we
will never forget." We never did.
VADA
Do you have any pictures if her?
JEFFREY
I've got something better.
ROOM WITH PROJECTOR SITTING BEHIND COUCH, VADA IS SEATED ON
THE COUCH AND JEFFREY IS SITTING BEHIND HER OPERATING IT
Vada and JEFFREY are watching the movie
JEFFREY
We called ourselves "The Appearing Nightly
Players".
MAGGIE
(on screen, in French accent)
Darling, oh where is my chauffeur? You don't
want I should walk to the stage? An actress of
my overwhelming talent?
VADA
She's beautiful.
JEFFREY
We performed on the beach one
summer...ha...everything went wrong.
we can see the acting troupe stuffing round on the beach,
then Maggie in a doughnut-floatie in the sea with an
umbrella, then playing volleyball, then sitting at a table
surrounded by friends, she is convinced to sing by her
friends, which she begins to do
MAGGIE
Smile though your heart is aching,
Smile, even though it's breaking,
When there are clouds,
In the sky you'll get by,
If you smile through your fears and sorrows,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You'll see the sun come shining through if
you,
Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness,
Although a tear may be ever so near,
That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying,
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.
the group that Maggie sang for start to complement her and
chatter away, then the reel ends, JEFFREY turns off the
projector, gets up and turns on the light
JEFFREY
She had a...a beautiful voice.
Vada nods, crying a little
JEFFREY
Would you like...eh...to have these movies?
VADA
(turns around)
More than anything in the world.
JEFFREY
(nods)
It's good to see Maggie again...and you.
VADA
Umm...didn't you ever wonder about me?
JEFFREY
Well I didn't know about you until after she
was gone.
VADA
I thought that...umm...maybe you'd be curious
about how I turned out.
JEFFREY
I'd say you turned out just fine.
VADA
I guess what I mean is, my mother married my
dad after you...and then I was born, so I
thought that...maybe you got divorced because
of me.
JEFFREY
Wait...woah...woah...wait a minute...Do you
think I'm your father?
VADA
Well...
JEFFREY
Honey I'd be proud to be your father, really.
It just isn't so.
they walk outside
JEFFREY
Maggie wanted to have a baby...and...umm...I
didn't.
VADA
oh.
JEFFREY
She didn't wanna miss out on
anything...especially motherhood...it got to
be a real problem with us.
I thought she had plenty of time, she didn't.
Anyway...that's why I was grateful when she
met your father, he had the sense to love her
the way she deserved...and most of all...I was
glad that she had you, the baby she always
wanted.
I wanted you to know that.
this has made Vada's day, she looks very happy, they hug
each other
BUDAPEST GARAGE, VADA IS TALKING TO NICK, ROSE AND PHIL
VADA
And I'm gonna use the movies when I give my
report. Jeffrey says audiences love special
effects.
NICK
You better ace it...you sacrificed our whole
vacation.
ROSE
Well it's a wonderful story with a very happy
ending.
Sam enters the garage in his car
PHIL
Sorry doc, we close for business at 3 o'clock
today.
Sam gets out and walks over to Rose, and offers Rose a box
SAM
Ahh...this isn't business. You know I...I
found this wonderful little Hungarian
restaurant that makes it's own strudel and
I...I thought you might like a taste of the
old country. You see there's apple in there
and...and cherry and this is the...eh...
cheese but I...I gotta say I think that cherry
is...is really....
Phil grabs the strudel and puts it back in Sam's car
PHIL
Okay, that does it, that does it, the strudel
does it, first it's brakes then.... I mean I
am not gonna let some Podiatrist with a Jaguar
full of strudel come waltzing in here and....
SAM
I'm not a Podiatrist, I'm a Cardiologist.
PHIL
Who cares? Rose, tell him we have an
arrangement.
SAM
Well, wha...what kind of arrangement?
ROSE
Yes, what kind of arrangement? I'd be very
interested to know what kind of an arrangement
we have.
PHIL
You know exactly...what kind it is. Come on
Rose...what do you want from me?
ROSE
I don't want anything you don't wanna give
me.
SAM
And you certainly shouldn't settle for
anything less that you deserve.
PHIL
You stay out of this, look, if I had a red
XK-150 with a black interior, I sure as hell
wouldn't be handing out relationship advice.
SAM
I don't think the color of the interior
is....
PHIL
Rose this not the place to be having this...
ROSE
I think this place is just fine.
PHIL
You know how I feel about you.
ROSE
You like the way I cook...you think I make
out a great invoice. PHIL
You and Nick and...and this...this garage are
my whole life...I love you. Sure you don't
have the greatest taste in music...but there's
not another woman who could look so sexy in
that smock. What I'm try... what I'm trying to
sa...
Vada takes Phil's hand and mouths the word "commitment" to
him, giving him strength
What I mean to say...Rose will you marry me?
ROSE
You really think I look sexy in this smock?
PHIL
Is that a yes?
Phil and Rose hug each other and kiss, Sam looks defeated,
Vada and Nick smile at each other
AT AIRPORT, VADA IS ABOUT TO BOARD HER PLANE, ROSE AND PHIL
ARE STANDING NEXT TO HER
VADA
Thanks for everything, you're the best.
PHIL
No, you're the best and I don't want you
talking to anybody on the plane.
VADA
Dad already gave me this lecture. He's gonna
meet me at the airport, then we'll go for some
pizza, then we'll have dinner in bed with
Shelly.
PHIL
Sounds great, well you give 'em both one of
these for me.
Phil gives Vada hug and a kiss
VADA
Bye Aunt Rose.
ROSE
Bye Niece, Vada.
Rose and Vada hug
VADA
Thanks. Well, bye.
Vada walks down the corridor a little and stops by Nick who
is waiting for her
VADA
...umm...Listen, I'm sorry...you had to
sacrifice your entire vacation.
NICK
Some sacrifices are worth it.
VADA
You mean...it wasn't that terrible?
NICK
I wouldn't say it was terrible...it
was...kind of...
VADA
An adventure?
NICK
(smiling)
Part adventure...part miracle.
Nick looks into Vada's eyes, they kiss, a long moment
passes and their lips part. They both smile at each other
NICK
Write me a poem?
VADA
(shakes her head smiling)
NICK
No?
VADA
I'll write you ten poems.
(PA springs to life informing people
to board NOW)
Bye.
NICK
Good-bye, look in your backpack.
Vada turns around and looks at Nick
VADA
Okay.
Vada walks down the passage and turns out of sight, Nick
turns and heads past Rose and Phil, his eyes fixated on some
object far away, there is only one word to describe how he
looks
STONED ON LOVE
INSIDE PLANE, VADA IN HER SEAT, SHE REMOVES HER SEATBELT
AND OPENS HER BACKPACK
she finds a little box which she opens and finds contained
in it a note and a pair of earrings, she looks at the
earrings and then reads the note
VADA'S THOUGHTS
(reading note)
In memory of barbaric customs, Love Nick.
this makes Vada extremely happy
VADA'S THOUGHTS
Life is full of barbaric customs, I just hope
they all end with a kiss like that.
as Vada disembarks, she makes her way into the crowd of
people waiting to pick up others, Arthur is standing there
waiting, Vada approaches
VADA
Arthur, where's my dad?
ARTHUR
He took Shelly to the hospital.
VADA
Is she okay?
ARTHUR
Well, she was making a lot of noise.
they exit the scene
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL, ARTHUR PULLS UP AND LETS VADA OUT
Vada gets out of the car and runs inside, making her way
through corridors to the maternity ward, where Harry is
waiting
VADA
Dad!
Vada and Harry hug each other
VADA
What happened to Shelly?
HARRY
She just had a baby that's all.
VADA
(excited)
We have a baby?
HARRY
Uh huh, a boy, you've got a new brother.
VADA
Can I see him?
HARRY
You can do anything you want. You're his
sister.
Hey, what's on your ear?
VADA ENTERS THE ROOM WHERE SHELLY IS LYING HOLDING THE BABY
VADA
Shelly?
SHELLY
Hey! Oh look.
VADA
He's so tiny.
SHELLY
I know, look at his little hands.
HARRY
I'm sorry I couldn't come pick you up honey.
SHELLY
I was pushing as fast as I could.
VADA
Did it hurt a lot?
SHELLY
You have no idea.
BABY
WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
SHELLY
Shhhh.
VADA
Let me hold him.
SHELLY
O.K.
Vada gently takes the baby from Shelly's arms
SHELLY
Maybe he's wet?
HARRY
Maybe he's hungry.
VADA
He's okay...you just have to sing to him.
"Smile though your heart is aching,
Smile, even though it's breaking,
Although a tear may be ever so near,
That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying,
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile."
OUTSIDE, HARRY SHELLY VADA AND BABY (IN PRAM)
ARE TAKING A WALK
VADA'S THOUGHTS
Things haven't exactly calmed down around
here, I got an A+ on the report, Dad's getting
used to my pierced ears and Nick's coming to
visit this summer. Other than that I'm busy
being a big sister. I'd like to tell my
brother about my mom, how I got to meet her
friends and find out how special she was, I
mean...she may not have her footprints in
cement but she definitely left her imprint on
the world...and I told them that even though
it sounds conceited...her greatest achievement
was me.
Vada, Harry, Shelly and the baby cross the road and walk
off down the sidewalk as the camera rises and the song "My
Girl" begins to play and the credits roll