"The Blonde Curse"
INT. PAULETTE'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A party is happening. The guests are all ages, but most are
teenagers and their parents. A much older PAULETTE,
parent-age, walks around, serving hors d'oeuvres.
A huge banner reads "Happy Graduation Collin!"
The front door opens and ELLE, 44, and EMMETT, 47. walk in.
Emmett wears Khakis and a polo short while Elle wears a
simple, but chic shirt dress in deep magenta.
Between them, and holding hands with each, is the
six-year-old ELI FORREST. He has blonde hair
EMMA FORREST, 17, enters behind them. Her features are
pretty, but not accentuated by her discontent scowl. Her
bright blue eyes are lit up with displeasure.
Her overall look is preppy: a khaki skirt with white
button-up shirt and flats, but her accessories bring a
little life to the outfit. Most notable is the thin pink
headband that holds her long, wavy hair out of her face.
Emma stands behind Emmett, Elle and Eli with her arms
folded, a giftbag hanging off one of her hands like she
barely notices it. She sighs loudly and rolls her eyes.
When she spots the Forrest family, Paulette hands off her
tray to KYLE and rushes over.
PAULETTE
Oh my God, look at this gorgeous
family! Eli, come here!
She scoops Eli up into a hanging hug, but then sets him
down.
PAULETTE
You are gettin' so big!
Paulette notices Emma.
PAULETTE
And, you! Emma-bear. Come here.
She motions with her finger. Emma breaks into a smile and
wraps her arms around Paulette.
EMMETT
(fake awe)
Paulette, how did you do that?
Emma and Paulette part and look at one another.
PAULETTE
Do what?
EMMETT
Get her to smile.
Emma groans, her scowl returning.
EMMETT
Now there's the growling Emma-bear
we know and love.
Emma rolls her eyes.
ELI
Mommy, can I go play?
He points to Kyle at the bottom of a dog pile of boys of all
ages. Elle gives his hair a gentle tussle then nods. Eli
runs off.
ELLE
So, where's Collin?
PAULETTE
He's hidin' out somewhere. You know
Collin and social gatherings.
KYLE (O.S.)
I guess out of five boys, one of
'em has to be shy, right?
Kyle walks up with Eli hanging off one arm while FINN, 8,
tries to drag him down by the legs.
ELLE
Oh, Eli, be careful. Please.
EMMETT
He's okay.
Emmett wraps an arm around Elle, rubbing her shoulder
soothingly. Elle takes a deep breath and lets the mother
anxiety evaporate.
Two very hot guys, in their early 20's, AIDAN AND BRENDAN,
and DYLAN, 12, bound up to the conversation.
BRENDAN
And the Forrest family has arrived.
How's it going Emma?
Emma smiles and shrugs, blushing. Elle and Emmett trade a
look, but let it go.
AIDAN
Dad, how about some hoops?
Kyle holds Eli out toward Emmett.
KYLE
Special delivery.
Emmett takes hold of his son who is laughing hysterically.
KYLE
Excuse me.
Kyle drops a quick kiss on Paulette's cheek then leads
Aidan, Brendan, Dylan and Finn out the front door.
ELI
I want to go.
Emmett looks to Elle who subtly shakes her head "no."
EMMETT
I was just about to go find Collin.
ELI
Collin?
Emmett nods then sets Eli down.
ELI
Dad, Collin's going to Harvard like
you and Mommy... and like I am.
PAULETTE
Oh my God, I remember when Collin
used to say stuff like that. And
look at him now.
Paulette smiles with pride.
ELLE
(to Eli)
Wait, you're going to Harvard now?
ELI
Yup. I'm gonna be a lawyer. But a
different kind of lawyer than you
and daddy. I'm gonna be a public
defenser.
Elle and Emmett trade a touched look.
EMMA
(irritated)
Oh my God...
Elle gives her an annoyed look. Emma cuts her eyes.
ELLE
(to Eli)
That's awesome, Sweetie.
EMMA
You're not even going to correct
him? Sure "public defenser" is cute
now, but what about when he's
twelve? Eli, it's "public
defender," okay?
ELI
Public defender?
EMMA
Right.
(to Elle and Emmett)
See, was that so hard?
Emmett gives Elle an apologetic look, but takes Eli's hand.
EMMETT
Come on, son.
Emmett and Eli start to walk away.
EMMA
Um...
She holds out the giftbag, but Emmett waves it off.
EMMETT
Give it to him yourself. Later.
Emma huffs and folds her arms again.
PAULETTE
Hey now, none of that huffy stuff
at Paulette's. We check our 'tudes
at the door, sista.
Emma tries for a smile, but it fails.
ELLE
Sorry, Paulette. Emma is going
through an "emo" phase right now.
EMMA
Oh my God, Mom. No one even says
"emo" anymore.
Elle looks to Paulette, shaking her head.
ELLE
See what I mean?
PAULETTE
Well, hey, maybe we can get down to
the root of the problem?
Emma chuckles.
EMMA
Paulette, you couldn't have picked
a better expression.
ELLE
That's what this is about?
Seriously?
PAULETTE
What's what this is about?
Elle scowls and folds her arms. This amuses Emma.
EMMA
Now who's emo?
Elle slams her arms down to her sides, glaring at Emma.
ELLE
The answer is, and will continue to
be, no. No, no, no. Forever. No.
EMMA
It's my body.
PAULETTE
Oh... she wants... a tattoo?
EMMA
No. Ew.
ELLE
You're seventeen. Your body still
belongs to your father and me.
EMMA
You raise me to be a strong and
independent woman... just so you
can say something like that to me?
PAULETTE
Body piercing?
ELLE
Now there's a good idea. How
about nose ring... or maybe--
EMMA
I don't want to jab metal in my
nose or anywhere else. All I want is--
ELLE
You are so beautiful just the way
you are. I don't see why you would
want to change anything... but
especially this.
PAULETTE
Someone just tell me!
EMMA
Paulette, you can help me.
ELLE
No.
EMMA
Make me a blonde.
Paulette stares at Emma for a moment then bursts out
laughing. She turns to Elle.
PAULETTE
Really? All the drama because she
wants to go blonde?
ELLE
She has one more year of high
school then she'll be going off to
college.
PAULETTE
So?
EMMA
Yeah, so?
ELLE
Paulette, you always said that
being blonde was like a genetic
lotto win--
EMMA
Exactly. That is so true.
ELLE
But, you're wrong. Being blonde is
a curse. An obstacle.
EMMA
Oh, yeah. Poor you. Having to
overcome your beautiful hair and
your perfect everything. It must
have been so difficult.
ELLE
Perfect? The only perfect girl I've
ever met is standing right here in
front of me.
Emma looks at her, a little softened.
PAULETTE
Oh! That is the sweetest thing I've
ever heard.
EMMA
Mom, please? Please let me do this.
ELLE
Please respect my wishes.
They stare at each other, a standoff. Emma looks to Paulette.
EMMA
Would you do it for me?
PAULETTE
I'm sorry, Sweetie. Not without
your mother's permission.
Paulette and Emma turn to Elle. Elle shakes her head in the
no direction. Emma groans and stomps off.
PAULETTE
She's finally reached the rebellious
teenager stage, huh?
ELLE
Yes, and it has been a crash
landing for all parties involved.
Paulette gives Elle a sympathetic look.