ACT I
FADE IN:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—LIVING ROOM—DAY
MATT and LANNY are just hanging out, 'talking' to one another.
MATT
You're right Lanny. Applesauce and guacamole dip do go good together…
RESET TO:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—KITCHEN—DAY—CONTINUOUS
As Matt and Lanny enter the kitchen they stop at seeing JO on the phone—she doesn't see them.
JO
(on phone)
I know! That's just like husbands, they never remember anniversaries. Take Sam for instance. Our anniversary's the 12th, but does he ever remember? No!
At hearing this Matt backs away unseen, motioning Lanny to do the same.
CUT TO:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—LIVING ROOM—DAY
MATT
(to Lanny)
Did you hear that Lanny? Mom and dad's anniversary is on the 12th. Do you know what that means?
Lanny shakes his head.
MATT (CON'T)
That means I've got an inside track! If I can get them a present for their anniversary they'll get all mushy and sentimental—I'll have them eating out of the palm of my hand.
Lanny shares Matt's sneaky glee.
MATT (CON'T)
Come on, we've got shopping to do!
The two exit.
CUT TO:
CROSS CUT or TRIPLE SCREEN (dealer's choice)
Gordo, Lizzie, and Miranda are all in their respective bedrooms talking on the phone to each other.
GORDO
(to Miranda)
So, what's the nuts and bolts of a quinceanera anyway?
MIRANDA
Well, first off, I get all dressed up. A fancy full length dress, a high headdress—maybe pastel tones. What do you think Lizzie?
LIZZIE
That'd be fab. Something between J-Lo and Salma Hyek.
GORDO
(hastily)
Can we get back to the subject at hand?
LIZZIE
Gordo, this is a part of the subject. How one looks is very important.
GORDO
Whatever.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Poor Gordo. For being such a smart guy, he doesn't understand the important things in life.
MIRANDA
I guess Gordo's right. We can have this conversation later Lizzie.
GORDO
Finally!
MIRANDA
Anyway, once I'm led down the aisle, the Padre begins a special mass talking about what it means to become an adult and stuff like that. Then once that's done, I have to do a traditional waltz with my escort to start off the party.
LIZZIE
Escort?
MIRANDA
(shyly)
Yeah. The quinceanera-era dances the first dance with her number one chamberlain.
GORDO
I thought I was your chamberlain?
MIRANDA
You are. One of them…
GORDO
Who else is there?
MIRANDA
Tudgeman…
GORDO/LIZZIE
(comprehending)
Ah…
MIRANDA
(defensively)
Well, Veruca is out of town.
GORDO
We didn't say anything.
LIZZIE
(getting back on track)
Then what?
MIRANDA
Well, while that's going on, the damas—that'd be you and my little sister Lizzie—hand out party favors, candy, that sort of thing.
LIZZIE
Cool.
MIRANDA
After that, there's the customary toast and the cutting of the cake. Then, it's party time.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Wow. Miranda's really keyed up about this. She's becoming an adult. But if she's an adult, what does that make me?
Lizzie again wears a concerned look on her face.
CUT TO:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—DAY
We find Matt and Lanny on the prowl for an anniversary gift for Sam and Jo.
MATT
Alright Lanny. 'Operation Putty' is a go!
Lanny nods as they put on their 'game face' and swing into action.
CUT TO:
A SHORT MUSICAL MONTAGE:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—PERFUME COUNTER
Matt and Lanny are looking at various perfumes. Lanny sprays one as he and Matt turn up their noses at the smell. Lanny shakes his head—this isn't what they're looking for. The duo moves on.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—SPORTING GOODS SECTION
Matt and Lanny are looking at various sporting good items. Matt swings a tennis racket a few times, hopeful, but ultimately decides it isn't what they're looking for. They move on.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—MAKEUP COUNTER
Matt and Lanny are checking out makeup. Matt is looking at himself in a makeup mirror. When he turns to say something to Lanny we see a hideous sight—Lanny's been messing with the various makeup jars. Matt shakes his head—this isn't 'it' either. Lanny grabs a rag to clean up as they move on.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—MEN'S CLOTHING SECTION
Matt and Lanny look at, and try on, different ties. Eventually, they decide this isn't what they are looking for. Again, they move on.
End of Montage
CUT TO:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE
Matt and Lanny haven't found the ideal gift yet.
MATT
This isn't working Lanny. What we need is something they'd both like.
(beat)
Come on.
Thinking hard, they continue their quest.
CUT TO:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—LIZZIE'S ROOM—DAY
Lizzie is lying on her bed, contemplating Miranda's 'change of status'.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
It's not as though I'm not glad for Miranda. I am. But where does that leave me?
As Lizzie dwells, there comes a knock at the door. It's Jo, bringing in freshly laundered clothes.
JO
Here 'ya go honey.
LIZZIE
Thanks mom…
Jo notices that her daughter is preoccupied with something.
JO
You okay?
LIZZIE
(half hearted)
Yeah, sure. Why wouldn't I be?
JO
Oh, I don't know. Everything all right at school? With your friends?
LIZZIE
I'm okay. It's just…
JO
(attentively)
Uh, huh…
LIZZIE
Miranda's quinceanera is coming up and, I don't know, it's just, everyone's changing and—
JO
(interrupting)
And you're wondering when it'll be your turn?
LIZZIE
Yeah.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Forget the rubber hose. Mom can ferret the truth out of anyone in under five minutes flat.
JO
Honey, we all go through things at different times. Every day I see you changing. And soon you'll be a woman, ready to tackle the world without me and your father.
JO (CON'T)
You're growing as we speak.
LIZZIE
I know mom, but it's hard watching your friends pass you by while you're stuck in the slow lane.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Tell me about it.
Animated Lizzie looks glum as speeding cars are passing her while she's driving an old jalopy.
JO
It doesn't matter how fast you get someplace. What's important is that you get there. Don't worry, you'll be an adult soon enough.
With that, Jo gives Lizzie a reassuring touch on the arm, takes the rest of the laundry, and departs.
Lizzie is not altogether assuaged.
CUT TO:
INT. JEWELRY STORE—DAY
Matt and Lanny are inside a jewelry store browsing around for an appropriate gift.
MATT
This looks good.
Matt and Lanny admire a matching pair of rings.
MATT (CON'T)
And better yet, it's only four bucks.
CUT TO:
INT. JEWELRY STORE—PAYMENT COUNTER
CLOSE ON: Matt's shocked face.
MATT
(horrified)
Four thousand dollars!
MATT (CON'T)
(hurriedly)
Heh, heh. I think we still need to 'shop around'.
Matt franticly puts the ring box down as he and Lanny hotfoot it out of the store.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL—QUAD—DAY
Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda are sitting around a table having lunch. Lizzie's picking at her food half-heartedly. She's still troubled. Gordo, ever observant, notices.
GORDO
(to Lizzie)
You okay? You seem down.
MIRANDA
Yeah Lizzie, you've been really quiet.
LIZZIE
Oh, I'm fine guys.
(brightening)
(to Miranda)
So, how's your quinceanera coming along?
MIRANDA
Fabulous. Everyone's going to be there.
LIZZIE
That's great.
Someone off screen calls to Miranda.
GIRL #1 (O.S.)
Hey, Miranda!
MIRANDA
Oh, gotta jet. I'll see you guys after school, right?
LIZZIE
You bet.
Miranda goes off to see what her fellow student wants. Gordo and Lizzie are left alone.
GORDO
So, you going to tell me what's wrong?
LIZZIE
(flustered)
Wh—what do you mean?
GORDO
It was pretty clear that you didn't want to talk about something in front of Miranda.
LIZZIE
(down)
Am I that obvious?
GORDO
Yeah. You are.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Great. Not only am I a lousy friend, but I'm a bad actress too.
LIZZIE
Miranda's changing Gordo. You're changing. But I'm not.
GORDO
Didn't we already have this conversation last year? Look Lizzie, everyone changes—including you. Didn't that trip to Rome teach you anything?
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Yeah. Never go motor scooting after filling up on gelato!
GORDO
You've become more confident than you've ever been. You've done things and seen places you could only have dreamed about last year. You've discovered a talent. We've become a couple. You, Lizzie McGuire, are all about change.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Well, when he puts it like that…
LIZZIE
But you're a man now—
DIGITAL STILL:
Gordo at his Bar Mitzvah reading from the Torah from "Gordo's Bar Mitzvah".
BACK TO SCENE
LIZZIE (CON'T)
And Miranda's about to become a woman. But I'm still stuck being a kid.
GORDO
Lizzie, it doesn't matter what age someone is. Being an adult is more than reaching a number. It's about maturity.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Great. So now I'm immature.
LIZZIE
Thanks Gordo.
GORDO
What 'thanks'? You're mature.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Sure, if you think pink duckie pajamas are mature…
LIZZIE
Let's face it Gordo. You and Miranda are just growing up faster than I am.
Distraught, Lizzie picks up her tray and leaves behind a concerned Gordo.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOPPING MALL—DAY
Matt and Lanny are in the middle of the mall looking at the 'mall map'. They are about to embark upon a major campaign.
MATT
(indicating map)
Alright Lanny. We're here. You take this side of the mall, and I'll take this side. We meet back here. Agreed?
Lanny nods.
MATT
Let's go.
Each breaks off in to separate ways, determined to find the perfect gift.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL—ELECTRONICS STORE
Matt is checking out a sound system for Sam and Jo. He tries on the headphones and turns on the volume when he suddenly starts shaking—the decibel level is deafening. Quickly, he takes off the headphones, but the noise has left him a dazed.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL—CHINA SHOP
Lanny is mulling over a rack of fine china dishes when, uncontrollably, he sneezes. The result being the dishes fall from the rack and crash onto the floor. Horrified, Lanny takes off like a shot.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL—POTTERY SHOP
Matt nods as he contemplates a large vase, thinking he's found 'the gift'. He tries to lift it only to wear himself out. Having had enough, he waves if off, determined to find something easier to carry.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL—MUSIC SHOP
Lanny is at a piano when he starts playing to see how it sounds. He starts out playing a classical piece but segues into a jazz number. He's really beginning to wail as people gather around to listen.
INT. MALL—AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY
CLOSE ON: Matt's behind the wheel of a hot sports car, enjoying the good life. That is, until a sales rep comes up—showing that Matt's in a showroom. The sales rep chases Matt away.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL—PET SHOP
Lanny is thinking perhaps a pet would be 'it'. Seeing a cute little bunny, he goes to pet it—only to draw his hand away. The little beast tried to bite him. Rethinking the whole idea, Lanny leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. MALL
Matt and Lanny meet back at the center of the mall.
MATT
Any luck?
Lanny shakes his head.
MATT
Me neither. Where do we go from here?
They think upon it when Lanny's face lights up—he's gotten an idea. Somehow, he 'communicates' it to Matt.
MATT
That's a brilliant idea Lanny! Whatever we get doesn't have to be new—just new to them! Way to be on top of things Lanny. Come on.
The duo exit.
CUT TO:
INT. MIRANDA'S HOME—DINING ROOM—DAY
Miranda is standing on a chair as her mother, DANIELLA, is busy taking measurements for her Quinceanera dress.
DANIELLA
(misty eyed)
My little girl, all grown up.
MIRANDA
Mom, please. It's not like I can even drive yet.
DANIELLA
Still, it's already time for your la quinceanera. It seems only yesterday when I was powdering your little tushie.
MIRANDA
(mortified)
Mom! I hope you don't say anything like that at the party.
(beat)
Or dad either.
DANIELLA
You don't have to worry about us dear. It's your big day.
MIRANDA
I just hope everything goes okay.
At this point enter Miranda's father, EDWARD, coming through to grab something to eat from the fridge.
EDWARD
Everything will be fine. Why wouldn't it? The hall's paid for. The band is booked. The caterers have our order. Not to mention the better part of my paycheck…
DANIELLA
Eduardo!
EDWARD
(hastily)
But of course it's all worth it for my little nina.
MIRANDA
(amused)
Thanks dad.
CUT TO:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—LIZZIE'S ROOM—NIGHT
Lizzie is in bed tossing and turning. She's having bad dreams, beating herself up as being a 'bad friend' for being jealous of Miranda. In terror she wakes up with a scream.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Okay, that's it. No more anchovies for me.
Distraught, Lizzie sits in bed stewing over her feelings.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT I