FADE IN:
CARD: 1977
MUSIC UP: "MUSIC MAN" by HEART
INT: THE BRADY'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
MARCIA is making out on the sofa with DOUG, the big man on campus.
DOUG
Oh, Marcia, you are so hot.
MARCIA
I know. Did you bring a condom?
DOUG
No.
MARCIA
Okay.
They go back to making out.
GREG stumbles in the door. He HOLLERS out the front door to someone.
GREG
Thanks, David!
Greg wobbles in, his eyes half closed and red rimmed.
GREG
Hey, there my groovy bitch of a sister. What's happenin?
MARCIA
Oh, Greg, go dry up will ya? I am busy.
GREG
(laughing through words)
Doug, you are a daring man. Going where many ... many ... many men have been before.
MARCIA
Honestly, Greg. Shut the hell up. Don't you have some "groovy" grass to smoke?
Greg scowls at Marcia. Just then JAN walks in. She spots Marcia pulling up her shirt straps.
JAN
Oh my God, Marcia. There are about thirteen rooms in this house? You had to pick the very public living room to do your scummy boyfriend in?
MARCIA
I wouldn't expect YOU to understand, little sister.
(To Doug, whispering)
She's a lesbain.
JAN
Hey, Doug.
(whispers like Marcia)
She's a slut.
MARCIA
Dougy knows I changed, don't you Dougy baby?
DOUG
I think I should go now.
MARCIA
(pouty)
Oh, pooh! You don't have to leave. I am barely warmed up, baby.
DOUG
No, really Marcia. I have to get home. I will see you tomorrow okay?
MARCIA
Okay, my big man on campus.
(giggles)
DOUG
(looks at Marcia weird)
O - o - Okay. Bye, now.
Doug grabs his things and leaves.
MARCIA
Well, that was real nice, guys.
GREG
Why are you wiggin out sis? You have a date with Charlie in two hours. Can't you put it on slow simmer until then?
MARCIA
Ugh, that's not the point. You two are assholes!
Marcia flips her hair and walks upstairs.
INT: THE GIRLS ROOM BRADY HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Cindy is sitting on the floor listening to "THE AIR THAT I BREATHE" by the Hollies, while doodling in a notebook. She is dressed in bellbottoms and a skimpy disco style top, with platform sandals. Her hair is long and folded down behind her ears. She is wearing a lot of makeup and SINGING along.
MARCIA
Hey, Cind.
CINDY
(depressed)
Hi, Marcia.
MARCIA
What's wrong, Cindy?
CINDY
Well, I -
MARCIA
(interupts)
I am so pissed at Greg and Jan. They just walked right in without even any thought to me and Doug.
Cindy looks down and starts doodling again.
MARCIA
Can you believe Jan called me a slut right in front of me?
CINDY
Mmm-hmm.
MARCIA
I mean, how rude is that? Ugh, anyway, sweetie. I have a date in a couple of hours with Charlie. Do you need the bathroom?
CINDY
(not looking up)
Nope.
MARCIA
Great.
(kisses her top of her head)
See ya!
Marcia goes into the bathroom. Cindy falls back on her back on the bed, she rolls over hugging a teddy bear while the tears pour out of her eyes.
INT: THE BRADY'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
MIKE walks in as Marcia barrels past him nearly knocking all his blueprints out of his hands.
MARCIA
Sorry, Dad. Gotta run! Love ya!
Marcia closes the door behind her.
MIKE
(to himself)
That girl needs to slow down.
ALICE
You said a mouthful!
Mike looks up and sees ALICE standing in near the dining room table cleaning.
MIKE
What's that Alice?
ALICE
Mr. Brady, I think there is something you need to know.
EXT: THE BRADY'S GARAGE - EVENING
Alice pulls up a garbage bag, and opens it.
ALICE
I assume we just look in and not actually reach in and touch anything.
MIKE
Why's that Alice?
ALICE
Take a look.
Mike looks inside with a flashlight he grabs from the shelf in the garage. He looks shocked. Then shakes his head.
MIKE
Alice, are those what I think they are?
ALICE
I should say so. They aren't balloons for a birthday party.
MIKE
Oh my God. How do you know they are Marcia's?
ALICE
Because she's the only one that is home alone long enough to have this much sex. She doesn't go to college, just sleeps with guys that do. I have found sex toys in her dresser drawers and she has sex theme underwear. A couple of her bras have been found shoved into seat cushions.
MIKE
Well, maybe I outta have a talk with her.
ALICE
No, please Mr. Brady. Don't tell her I talked with you. She is awful to me when I tell you things.
MIKE
No, Alice, nothing doing. I am going to talk with her, but I won't tell her you told me.
ALICE
(worried)
Okay, Mr. Brady. If you say so.
MIKE
Where is Carol? Shouldn't she have been home by now from her art class?
ALICE
I don't have the foggiest, Mr. Brady. She's been late every week for three weeks. I hope she isn't having too much trouble with her class.
INT: THE BRADY'S CAR - EVENING
CAROL fixes her hair in the mirror and touches up her lipstick. She straightens up her blouse and takes a deep breath and pauses closing her eyes. Then opens them and walks out of the car. She walks into the house.
INT: THE BRADY'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Carol puts on happy grin.
CAROL
Hello? I am home. Where is everybody?
EXT: THE BRADY'S GARAGE - EVENING
MIKE
Shoot. That's Carol. No mention of Marcia to her, okay? I want to tell her when the time is right. Okay?
ALICE
Until the time is right. Mums the word on my end, Mr. Brady.
MIKE
I know I can always count on you Alice.
Mike walks inside. With Alice trailing behind him.
MIKE
Hi, honey! How was your class?
CAROL
It was so exciting Mike. I learned all kinds of new techniques. Where are the kids?
MIKE
Oh, they're around here somewhere. So, where is all this art you are creating. I am just dying to see some of your work.
CAROL
Sure, sure you are. Um, well, it's in the inventing process, Mike. We will have stuff actually made in about four weeks.
MIKE
Wow. Four weeks, before you can actually make something?
CAROL
Approximately.
MIKE
That's interesting.
CAROL
Maybe longer. So, Alice, do you need any help in the kitchen?
Mike stands there a minute contemplating. Then shakes his head and moves to the bottom of the stairs.
MIKE
Bobby! Cindy! Jan! Greg! Supper time.
BOBBY is the first downstairs. He is wearing bellbottoms and a brown leather vest with fringes with a big peace sign on his back. His hair is shoulder length and he strolls down the stairs with a poster in his hand.
BOBBY
Hey, pop! Check this out! I made a new slogan poster for Jimmy.
MIKE
Bobby, the election is over, son. He won.
BOBBY
Well, yeah, Dad. I know. But I only have three more years left before the next election.
MIKE
Bobby, I'm real proud of you.
BOBBY
Ya are, pop?
MIKE
Yeah, you aren't procrastinating. That is admirable.
BOBBY
Thanks Pop!
MIKE
Go on and sit down for supper okay?
BOBBY
You got it pop!
Bobby walks towards table, when Mike stops him.
MIKE
And Bobby?
BOBBY
Yeah, pop?
MIKE
Stop calling me Pop will ya, son?
BOBBY
Okay... Dad.
MIKE
That's better.
Bobby goes to table and Mike SHAKES his head.
MIKE
Cindy, Jan, Greg? You up there, guys?
GREG (COMING DOWN)
(stoned)
I'm here Dad.
MIKE
Greg, are your allergies still bothering you?
GREG
Yeah. Allergies.
(laughing)
MIKE
Greg, allergies are no laughing matter.
Greg hears this and busts out even harder.
GREG
Yeah, good one Dad. I'm starvin!
Greg sits down at the table as Jan comes down the stairs. She is wearing a t-shirt that says, "I AM WOMAN" on it.
JAN
Hi, Daddy.
MIKE
Hi princess. Where is your sister?
JAN
Marcia? Probably out banging...
MIKE
No. No. I mean Cindy. Where is she?
JAN
Oh, in our room sulking.
MIKE
Cindy! Come on down here and eat now.
Cindy arrives at the top of the stairs.
CINDY
I'm not very hungry Dad.
MIKE
What's wrong? Is it your throat?
CINDY
No, I am just kinda tired. Can I skip dinner tonight?
MIKE
Skip dinner? Alice has made a six pound meatloaf, darling. Are you sure you wanna miss out?
Carol walks in.
CAROL
Cindy, is everything alright, dear?
CINDY
Oh yeah. Just tired mom. I'm gonna hit the sack early tonight.
CAROL
Okay, sweetheart. Get some rest.
MIKE
Carol, we should talk to her.
CAROL
She's fine, Mike. Come on, I am starving.
(To Alice)
Alice, this meatloaf looks fabulous!
Mike pauses hestitating by the staircase looking up where Cindy just was. Then walks over to join the others for dinner.
INT: THE GIRLS ROOM BRADY HOUSE - EVENING
Cindy is on the Mickey Mouse phone in the girls room.
CINDY
Oh, they're all being assholes, Peter.
(pause)
Please come home, I miss you.
(pause)
I know. Medical school is very important.
(pause)
Okay, Peter. If you say so.
(pause)
I love you too.
(pause)
Night.
Cindy hangs up the phone. Then climbs in bed with her composition books and begins writing.
INT: THE KITCHEN - MORNING
Alice finishes up the eggs, and walks to the edge of the kitchen hollering.
ALICE
Kids, Mr. And Mrs. Brady, breakfast is ready! Come and get it.
Mrs. And Mr. Brady enter first.
CAROL
Mmm - smells yummy Alice.
ALICE
You know me Carol, always cookin.
CAROL
It's wonderful Alice.
MIKE
I don't know what's keeping the kids.
Cindy walks in along with Bobby. Bobby won't shut up about Jimmy Carter.
BOBBY
Yeah, so Jimmy raised the taxes Cindy and it's going to help all these unfortunate people who are in need.
CINDY
Great, Bobby.
Cindy forces a smile. They sit down to eat. Bobby digs in. Cindy simply picks at her food. And drinks her orange juice.
MIKE
You alright, Cindy sweetheart?
CINDY
Yeah Dad.
ALICE
Oh, Cindy. Someone called for you earlier. His name is Tim Peters.
Cindy's eyes bug out with excitement.
CINDY
HE DID?
ALICE
Yeah. He said, he wanted to take you on a retreat.
MIKE AND CAROL (UNISON)
WHAT!
CINDY
Oh, relax, guys. He is with a religous group. He talked about maybe going. He would be leaving tonight. Gosh, that gives me very little chance of getting ready. I better run.
MIKE
Hold it!
CINDY
What?
Marcia and Jan and Greg all walk in. Greg has sunglasses on and is barely awake. Cindy ignores her siblings.
MIKE
You are not going on any retreat with some boy we have never met.
CINDY
Why!
CAROL
You're father's right, Cindy.
MIKE
We don't approve of you just taking off and going away for a weekend. You are only 17 years old, Cindy.
CINDY
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
CAROL
You're father's right, Cindy.
CINDY
That is totally not fair. Here is my chance of finding out what life is really about. What really makes sense in life, and you say I can't even go. To learn about God and the world. You two are so unfair.
CAROL
Now, Cindy, we have rules in this house. Your siblings follow the same rules.
CINDY
Bull! You let them run wild!
Marcia and Jan and Greg all look at each other. Greg smirks, while Marcia and Jan look shocked.
MIKE
Cindy, now the discussion is closed. I am your father, and you will follow my rules for living under our roof.
CAROL
You're father's right.
CINDY
Oh, stop that, mother! Mike Brady, you are NOT my father! This whole life is such a charade! I wish I wasn't a Brady!
(Tears well up in her eyes)
You two are so unfair. Marcia can do whatever she wants. Jan can too. Why do you hate me so much? I just want to ...
MIKE
Want to what? What do you want, Cindy?
CINDY
Nevermind. You can all go to hell.
Cindy runs off, and upstairs.
MARCIA
Well. THAT was interesting.
JAN
Shut up, Marcia!
MARCIA
Jan!
Greg is snickering.
MIKE
Alright, alright, that's enough. Don't you all have jobs to get to? Jan you have college. Now get going.
MARCIA
Dad! I haven't even gotten to eat yet.
GREG
Yeah, Dad, I have to eat something. I am starving.
MIKE
Fine. Eat, and then get going.
Mike walks out of the room not facing anyone. Carol follows him.
INT: THE DEN - MORNING
Carol knocks on the closed door of the Den.
CAROL
Mike? Can I come in?
MIKE
Sure.
Mike wipes his eyes quickly.
Carol walks in and consoles her husband.
CAROL
Mike, you know they were just words. She's going through a phase. She will be your loving daughter again before you know it.
MIKE
Oh heck, I know that.
(sniffs)
I better get going honey. I am going to be really late.
Mike kisses Carols head, and before she can argue he is out the door.
INT: KITCHEN - MORNING
Alice is cleaning the pots and pans as the kids talk.
MARCIA
I think Cindy has really turned into a spoiled little brat.
JAN
Oh, shut up, Marcia. You don't even know what you are talking about.
GREG
Pass the pancakes.
Marcia passes them while keeping focused on Jan. Greg takes about 7 pancakes off the plate onto his own.
MARCIA
Oh and you do?
JAN
No, but I am not pretending I know everything. And you couldn't see a problem anyway if it were right under your nose.
GREG
Like her little weight problem?
(laughs)
MARCIA
EXCUSE ME, GREG! What is that supposed to mean!
GREG
I saw you in the bathroom fighting to get your pants on this morning. Piggin out a bit are ya?
MARCIA
No, Greg. There is a thing called "shrinking." By the way, Alice, could you please hand wash my polyester? They have been shrinking on me.
ALICE
I always do Marcia.
MARCIA
(confused)
Oh, well. Then hang dry them instead of machine?
ALICE
Yep. Do that too.
MARCIA
Hmm.
GREG
Face it, Miss Piggy. You are gettin fat.
MARCIA
Oh stick it where the sun don't shine, Gregory!
ALICE
That's enough. You three need to get moving.
They all get up - Greg grabbing a couple of rolls on his way out. They all say "bye" to Alice. Alice contemplates Marcia's predicament.
EXT HIGH SCHOOL - AFTERNOON
Cindy is walking by herself carrying her books and sulking. TIM PETERS runs up to her.
TIM
Hey, Cindy! Wait up!
CINDY
Oh, hi Tim.
TIM
What's wrong?
CINDY
My parents forbid me to go on the retreat with you.
TIM
Yeah, I kind of figured they would. But what do you care what they say? You are seventeen years old, aren't you? Old enough to make your own decisions. My buddy's van is right around back. We can hop in taking nothing but the clothes on our backs. It would be so liberating. We could just be ... free.
CINDY
Well, I don't know.
TIM
Unless you want to live by the standards of those who want to mold you into their way of thinking and their way of living. I think we are all going to end up just clones of our parents. They control every move - every thought we have. They're brainwashing us, Cindy. Until we make them stop by not allowing them to, then we will end up just like them.
CINDY
You're totally right, Tim. That was the most right-on thing I have ever heard anyone say.
(after a beat)
Okay, you got it. Let's go.
Tim grabs Cindy's hand and they run behind the building to the rear parking lot and hop in the van and drive off.